PET Bottle Cutter

This tool was developed with the idea to provide alternative forms of recycling PET bottles, which are found all over the world, and often not taken advantage of for post-consumer opportunities. The stripper is intended for use by people in low-income communities as a means to create products using the resulting strips. Among the products created with PET strips are artisanal crafts, woven window treatments, and for utilitarian purposes such as to make brooms or other cleaning tools. Another use which is under development is for basic green construction, as the strips can be woven around a frame to create a greenhouse.

Please share your comments and experience in reproducing this tool, as well as products you made with the plastic strips! Also, check out the instructable on the woven plastic curtain (coming soon!)

Materials

Wood block (approximately 1.5" x 1" x 8")

Two machine screws with corresponding nuts

Hand saw (or band saw, if available)

A handful of washers (optional)

Utility blade

Pencil

Drill

Hold blade at approximately a 45 degree angle over the wood block. Use the pencil to mark the location of the holes on the block. Clamp the block into a sturdy surface and drill two holes through the block, one for each corresponding hole on the blade.

Draw a line across your block beneath where the blade will be placed, about 1/2 an inch away from the tip (see image). Cut a groove between 1/8 and 1/4" deep along that line.

Measure about 3 inches from the first groove, and cut consequent grooves about 1/4" apart down the lentgh of the block. These grooves will allow for various bottle diameters to fit onto the tool.

Using the drill, make a slot in the center of your block wide enough for your fingers to slide through. This can be used for increased grip while using the tool.

Attach blade using the machine screws, nuts and washers.