Upcycling plastic bottles

As a laboratory researcher, we generate a lot of plastic waste, most often in the form of sturdy plastic bottles that arrive filled with growth media. These bottles are made of resilient plastic and are incredibly durable, which makes it hard for me to see them discarded after a single use. That’s why I began my restoration project: upcycling these bottles into something new and useful. The first challenge was always the stubborn glue left behind after peeling off the labels. WD‑40 became my trusted companion here — a quick spray dissolves the residue without harming or fading the plastic, leaving the bottles clean and ready for transformation. Each bottle feels like it’s getting a second chance, and with WD‑40 helping me unlock their hidden potential, I can turn what was once waste into creative, sustainable pieces that carry both science and story into their new life.