Melt empty plastic pill bottles and 1 other everyday item, and you won’t believe what this turns into (2-material DIY shatterproof cabinet latches using melted plastic pill bottles).

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There’s a particular satisfaction in turning something headed for the recycling bin into a hardworking household fix, and this project does exactly that. In this tutorial, I’m making simple shatterproof cabinet latches from empty plastic pill bottles and one other everyday material: wide rubber bands. The finished latch is flexible, tough, and especially handy for keeping curious kids, pets, or simply a stubborn cabinet door from swinging open.

I like projects like this because they sit right at the intersection of thrift and practicality. Much like saving vegetable scraps for stock, it’s a small act of resourcefulness that pays off immediately. This is a good beginner project if you’re comfortable working carefully with heat, and it’s ideal for utility cabinets, bathroom vanities, laundry rooms, or workshop storage where function matters most.

 

Materials for DIY cabinet latches laid out on a work surface

 

Materials

2 empty plastic pill bottles, standard prescription size, 13 to 16 dram, washed and fully dried
4 wide rubber bands, 1/2 inch wide and about 3 1/2 to 4 inches long when laid flat 

Instructions

see the continuation on the next page

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