Optical tool found at recycle

I live in the foothills of North Carolina and I don’t have garbage pickup service available. Instead, there are different recycle facilities in my county that I travel to in order to rid myself of garbage, cardboard, plastic, automotive oils, and glass.

I often inspect the huge bin of glass for potential resources. I have recovered soup bowls, floral vases, thick bottom bottles that I use for flint knapping, and recently I spotted a sphere shaped bottle that I removed it’s label and filled it with water to become a solar lens with which to create fire.

In a previous article “Optical Fire Method Using A Vinegar Bottle” my optical fire tool came from a shopping trip, but this glass bottle originally came from a liquor store.

It may not be a practical tool for hiking but a fun part of firecraft and could actually save the day in an emergency. In any case, be aware of possible resources when you travel out and about.