Fresholi | Melting Pot Café

I'm very wary about this.

How could I be sure that they were perfectly clean?

I could cut them down, put holes in the base and use as plantpots. (there's a limit to the number of funnels and scoops I need using the top parts though).

There again I could simply chuck them in the recycle bag.

I bought HDPE tubes and bottles some years ago and clean them over and over. I first run them through the dishwasher then boil them for about 5-10 min then I put them in the oven at around 80 -100C for at least 30 min. Seem to work fine.  :)

I don't have a dishwasher though so recycling ethics apart there's the economics of hot/boiling water, detergent, time etc. - and cleaning the caps and liner discs also.

I'm not sure how it balances out.

I see your point.
I run the caps and lining too through the process.

I've just thought (wonder why I didn't earlier) I could use a solution of caustic, certainly for the bottles but will have to see re the liners of the caps.

Did you try it yet EJ?  Did it work?

Don't have an empty one ATM, will post when I've tried it.

 I've only been on here a day & already found inspiration...I've been wanting to make round soaps for some time so when I next empty a litre bottle of oil I will cut the ends off & use that, I'll be able to see...ish what I'm doing through the plastic, might even be able to use the top end as a funnel & try a funnel ring effect....hmmmm.

I should be able to clean it well enough before & after use & I can freeze it before trying to get the soap out.

I like it here already!

Sally.x

that's a really interesting idea, Sally - be sure to post pics!

Elaine, could you use sodium metabisulphate or campden tablets like you use in wine making? I just thought you can make pints of the stuff to soak demijohns and such in and it's cheap and for "food" use so presumably not too toxic in residual amounts...smells like it clears the tubes though..

Would that get rid of residual oil, especially in the caps ans cap liners?

(still not tried caustic, keep forgetting)

Yes, you're right, it's cap liners that are a pain. But surely, if seperated out, and hot soapy washing up water squiged around, then the cleaning fluid...you're right though, thinking about it at the saving the heating, water, chemicals angle it might all work out even compared to the present cost of making plastic. I used to work for the council in recycling in yet another incarnation, and it's amazing how much is like that. Just shows how cheap oil-derived products are I suppose - their true cost should probably be much higher.