> TEOTWAWKI Blog: Outside the Box: Unconventional uses for soda bottles

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8/13/14

Outside the Box: Unconventional uses for soda bottles

Oh the old 2 liter...so common, so overlooked.

So many possibilities.

Continuing this series where we examine common household items to and brainstorm useful survival and contingency uses for them, it's the soda bottle, found in stores, recycling bins and trash piles across the globe.

Yep, the container part is obvious and quite useful. They pretty darn good containers. Many folks recycle 2 liters for use storing emergency water or staple foods. They tend to hold up to some decent abuse, too.

But, soda bottles can do more than that...time for a knowledge share amongst the T-Blog tribe. Let's see what ya got.

I'll go first. Well, really, I'll flip over something I'd seen, forgotten and then had blog amigo EdWood remind me of when he shared on the Libre MX Facebook page (in Spanish but good pictures).


Civil unrest...riots in the streets. Cops are blasting the mobs with tear gas galore. Thick clouds of the noxious fumes are rolling over the area. You just want to get home without choking to death on your own phlegm.

Take your N95 mask (or soaked cloth...I've seen vinegar, lemon juice recommended, water is better than nothing), some duct tape or scavenged foam rubber, cordage and a scavenged 2L or other similarly sized plastic bottle. A little bit of craft work and you have yourself an improvised gas mask.

Complete instructions here.

Note that this is clearly an improvised, last-ditch kind of thing and your results will vary. If you have a high likelihood of dealing with tear gas or worse, get a real mask.

Now, let's see what creative, nefarious and useful uses you can come up with or track down for the good ol' 2 liter bottle.

Links to pictures, instructionals, YouTube videos encouraged. E-mail me if you've got original images or instructions you'd like to share.