FINAL PRODUCT, PROCESS & EXPLANATION
For my final project, I created a structural plastic bottle cap lamp. This square-shaped lamp is made out of plastic bottle caps. The plastic bottle caps are found locally and reclaimed materials. I drink bottled water all the time and I think it’s useful to utilize water bottle caps, which are readily available to create a lamp. I was surprised by the large number of water bottle caps that were needed to make a lamp. The lamp can be used in a study room to create a relaxing atmosphere.
Most of the plastic bottle caps are not recyclable. Many recycling centers do not accept plastic caps. They are usually made of a different plastic than the containers they accompanied, and can contaminate the recycling stream while also jamming equipment and injuring workers.
I have been searching for lamp components and light bulbs for the plastic bottle cap lamp at a local hardware store. I thought it would be simple to make lamp parts, but it was actually challenging to create a lamp since there were so many choices for lamp parts and light bulbs. The plastic bottle cap lamp is hand-made, which is good for the environment but has a high cost labor.
I used the same size plastic bottle caps for consistency and made a square-shaped lamp. I used a glue gun to connect each plastic bottle cap. I utilized a window screen to create a nicely arranged square shape of the lamp. Underneath the window screen, I placed a flat square wood piece. This provides a firm and stable ground when gluing the bottle caps.
For each side of the square is made of 36 plastic bottle caps. One plastic bottle cap lamp contains 216 plastic bottle caps. I lined up six plastic bottle caps in a row horizontally and six bottle caps vertically on the window screen. After that, I glued each bottle cap individually, pressed the caps together for about a minute to connect them. Repeat this process to make five of the plastic bottle cap sides. On the last side of square plastic bottle caps, leave out one bottle cap for the lamp to be inserted. I used all six sides of the square using a plastic bottle caps. Once all the six sides are made from plastic bottle caps, I glued each end side of bottle caps and arranged it into a square form, and then held the sides for a minute.
As for the lamp lighting, I used a Snap-in Candelabra Socket, which can be purchased at the local hardware store. To hold and support the Candelabra Socket, I cut out one inch of soda can side with scissors. On the last side of square plastic bottle caps, I placed the one-inch soda pop can into the hole and put the Snap-in Candelabra Socket. As for the light source, I got a crystal clear light bulb, and placed that into the snap-in candelabra socket. Finally, I glued the last side of the square plastic caps to the top. Now, all you need to do is plug the cord to the outlet and turn on the switch. When the plastic bottle cap lamp is on, it creates unique silhouette lighting to the background wall. The design of the lamp is simple and compact. I really like how my plastic bottle cap lamp turned out.