From Trash to Treasure: Recycling Items For Survival

As you know this month we are doing a recycling series, and we are moving right along this month with the recycling blog. Last week I showed you some items that you could reuse several times on the trail. This week we are going to look into things you can recycle that you might otherwise throw away. These could be items that you bring with you that you choose to hang on to so you don't leave garbage behind, or items that you find on the trail that are theoretically clean enough for you to pick up and use.

The first item I have is a water bottle, or in my case, a pop bottle. Any kind of bottle like this will do, especially if its plastic. This pop bottle went fishing with me and when I finished my pop, I kept it in my pocket. Remember what we talked about before, if it's not important to you, you are more than likely going to leave it behind. That's why I kept this on my person after I finished with it so it would make it back with me. Now what you can do with this bottle is make a nice survival fishing rod. What you want to do is take some fishing line and tie it around the bottom curve of your pop bottle as shown to the right. After it is secured around the bottle, just wrap your line.

Another thing Yankee and I talked about, (Yankee Outdoor Adventures on YouTube) was how often you find fishing lures in trees where people have to cut and run. You can take those lures that you find and store them in your water bottle, or of course bring your own. You can store lures, rooster tails, small hooks, bass hooks, sinkers, artificial bait, jigs and more. With all of these stored in your bottle along with the line you previously tied around your bottle, you have a tackle kit ready to go.

The next thing we can work with is a pop can. Now I find pop cans lying around all the time, I do NOT recommend doing this with a random pop can you find on the trail. First you want to cut the can straight down. You can use the edge of the nutritional info box for a reference. This cut doesn't have to be straight, but it helps if it is. Next you are going to cut a line a quarter of the way around the can horizontally in both directions at the top and bottom of the vertical line you cut. This will allow you to open the can like flaps. We now have a reflective candle holder. I placed one of my squat candles in the can and lit it and wow is it bright. However if you are really in a pinch, you could always light up a crayon.

Well guys that will do it for today. Next week we will be finishing up this recycling series and you know you don't want to miss it! As always feel free to comment by clicking the comment link at the end of the blog, hit the follow button in the top right corner, share this blog, and check back next week for a new one on Sunday 10pm (est). If you want to keep up with me and what I’m doing, Follow me on Facebook: @BPackBushcraft and on Twitter @BPackBushCraft. Lastly if video is more your style check out my YouTube Channel backpack bushcraft where there is a video version of this with the same title. Until next time, keep those fires burning and put another log on for me.