How to Turn Your Plastic and Paper Bags into Useful Items

If you are an environmentally friendly person, you may hesitate at the store when asked if you prefer paper or plastic. After all, they both are accepted as recycling material and they both can be reused as well. So, what are some of the best ideas for reusing this bane of your shopping existence?

For plastic bags, the primary way to reuse them is as trash bags for smaller trash cans. While some grocery plastic bags aren’t water-tight, making them not good options for especially messy trash, with double-bagging they can be used in almost any situation – from cleaning up after your dog to keeping one in your car for the various trash you accumulate while driving.

Another option for reusing plastic bags is for using them in packing when you’re going on a trip. When traveling, these plastic bags are especially good for keeping wet items, such as a swimsuit or your toiletries, separated from items in your luggage you want to keep dry. Keeping a few handy to put your dirty laundry in while traveling is also a good idea.

If you mail packages, finding something to use to keep the item safe in its box is sometimes difficult. Using packaging materials isn’t the most environmentally-friendly option, and many people have started using the plastic grocery bags as an option. Just ball up three or four together, knot them or tape them, and you have instant packing material.

There are also several things you can do with plastic grocery bags if you are a person who likes crafts. There are many people who have turned plastic bags into yarn, and then used that yarn for crocheting everything from a water bottle holder to a scarf. Before starting this project, you will want to make sure the bags are clean and free of odors. To turn the bags into yarn, you will want to lay the bag out flat, fold in half twice lengthwise, cut off the top handles, and then cut the bag into strips about one inch wide. Then, you will want to tie the strips together. Take two strips and loop them together. Make sure it’s tight. Continue connecting other loops on until your yarn is as long as you need. Then, use the yarn like you would normally, and you can knit yourself almost anything.

If you’re a gardener, plastic bags will come in handy in many ways, from lining flower beds when planting to using them to bring in your produce. They’re also good for putting down on the ground to keep your clothes cleaner while you’re weeding or planting in your garden.

When it comes to paper bags, if they are sturdy enough you should be able to reuse them the next time you go shopping. In fact, there are some stores that will give you a small credit if you bring in your own bags. Another way you can reuse paper bags is for your other recycled materials. These bags are good for putting paper in for recycling in bundles, and make it easy to carry – especially if you have the paper bags that have handles on it.

Shredding your paper bags will give you plenty of options for reuse, from using it in crafts as paper mache to using the shredding as packaging material or lining animal cages. You don’t need an actual shredder if you are willing to spend the time cutting the bag into strips. Paper bags can also be used to wrap packages for mailing, as the blank inner side is perfect for the postal service regulations.

Paper bags can be reused for craft purposes as well. You can use the bags to make masks, as paper to draw on, and even toward homemade cards to send to family and friends. How about using the bags as book covers or for cutting patterns out of? Are you a photographer or an artist? If so, consider using paper bags as matting for the frame. You can also use the paper from paper bags as lining for shelves or to cover your windows if you need complete dark as well.

These are just a few ideas as to how to reuse plastic and paper bags. Use your creativity and think up even more ideas, and talk with environmentally-friendly organizations to see if they have any suggestions as well. And while you’re talking to them, see about other household items you use that may have other uses – from plastic bottles to CD cases you no longer use.

Of course, the best way to handle the ‘paper or plastic’ debate at the grocery store is to say ‘neither’ and bring in your own canvas bags. Many stores offer these for sale – and there are also organizations that have these as part of their marketing materials and are willing to give them out.