
- Tablecloth Plarn. For a thrifty crafting idea, learn how to make yarn from plastic grocery bags. Create multiple colors for an ever nicer assortment of free craft supplies.
- Plastic Bag Planter Cover. How cute is this bunny planter made from plastic bags? Learn how to make one with this step by step DIY crochet idea.
- Crocheted Clothespin Bag From Plarn. Learn how to turn bags into plastic yarn, or “plarn” and weave up a bag that can hang and hold just about anything.
- Basket Out of Plastic Bags. I can’t wait to make one of these awesome woven baskets from my leftover shopping bags. What a cute and cheap craft idea!
- Crocheted Plastic Bag Doily Clock
- Recycled Plastic Bag Pendant Light
- Plastic Bag Napkin Rings
- Recycled Plastic Bag Braided Bracelet
- Recycled Wreath From Plastic Grocery Bags
- Flowers Made From Plastic Bags
- Plastic Bag Beads
- Crocheted Tote Plastic Bags
- Reusable Lined Snack Baggie
- Plastic Bag Kite
- Crochet Fun Placemats
- Recycled Plastic Bag Sandals
- Coasters From Plastic Bags
- Plastic Bag Jump Rope
- Plastic Bag Pom Poms
- Plastic Bag Hammock
What other bags can we use instead of plastic bags?
Top picks to replace plastic shopping bags
- #1 Reusable Tote Bag (Recycled)
- #2 Natural Fibre Bags (Cotton Canvas, Jute, and Calico)
- #3 Folding Reusable Bag
- #4 String Bag
- #7 Cardboard Boxes
How do plastic bags harm us?
Plastics may affect our health via three pathways:
- We eat, drink and breathe microplastics every day. These small plastic particles may harm our health once they have entered our bodies.
- Plastic products contain chemical additives. ...
- When plastics and microplastics end up in the environment, they attract micro-organisms, such as harmful bacteria (pathogens). ...
What do I do with all these plastic bags?
What to do with all those plastic bags you now have?
- Bag your groceries at your car. You could just leave with your cart full (this is easier at self-checkout or a store like Aldi), push your full cart to ...
- Ask for paper and not plastic. Paper bags are easily recyclable into items like paper towels and toilet paper.
- Find alternate uses for plastic bags. ...
- Save them for recycling later. ...
What can I do with my extra plastic grocery bags?
Uses for plastic grocery bags
- Do double duty. The simplest and most environmentally conscious decision is to use them for the purpose that they were intended – to carry groceries.
- In the car. Keep some plastic bags in the car for road trips. ...
- As trash can liners. ...
- For doggy poop. ...
- Donate them. ...
- For laundry. ...
- To line kitty litter bins. ...
- Use them as packing material. ...
- For soiled diapers. ...

What can you do with old shopping bags?
Unfortunately, the type of plastic grocery bags are made of isn't accepted in standard curbside recycling systems. Instead, you'll have to take them to plastic film recycling dropoffs, typically found in retail centers and — fittingly — grocery stores.
What else can plastic bags be used for?
Plastic bags prove themselves quite useful when you're going on holiday. Use them to protect any liquids such as perfumes or shampoo bottles in your luggage. You can also put shoes in them to keep dust away from your clothes. For more great tips like this, check out Genius Holiday Hacks: for your Suitcase.
What can you make with a grocery bag?
0:568:06How to Make Reusable Shopping Bags - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can use medium weight or lightweight fabrics for the lining like quilting cotton or broadcloth.MoreYou can use medium weight or lightweight fabrics for the lining like quilting cotton or broadcloth. This other bag is made with canvas a printed quilting cotton and cotton webbing.
What can you make out of plastic?
Here's 60 different ways you can reuse your everyday plastic bottles.Bird Feeder. Making a bird feeder is easy! ... Terrarium. This one is such a fun activity for kids! ... Egg Yolk Sucker. This little food hack is a game changer! ... Bottle Top Bag Seal. ... Piggy Bank. ... Watering Containers. ... Hanging Basket. ... Pencil Case.More items...•
What can you make out of recycled plastic?
8 Things That Are Made from Recycled PlasticShampoo Bottles. Plastic bottles for detergent, shampoo, as well as household cleaners come mostly from a recycled plastic known as high-density polyethylene. ... Film and Sheeting. ... Traffic Cones. ... Packing Materials. ... Trash Bags. ... Kitchenware. ... Countertops. ... Carpeting.
How do you repurpose plastic grocery bags?
25 Brilliant Ways to Reuse Plastic Grocery BagsLine trash cans. ... Store as emergency trash bags for the car. ... Use as a wet bag. ... Pack shoes in suitcases. ... Pick up dog poop. ... Stuff into shoes and purses to retain their shape. ... Protect fragile items while moving. ... Store paint brushes or rollers for later use.More items...•
How do you make a tote out of a plastic bag?
0:341:49How to Make a Sturdy Tote From Plastic Shopping Bags - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMake sure to measure accurately. So the handles line up step 7 place the two fused sheets on top ofMoreMake sure to measure accurately. So the handles line up step 7 place the two fused sheets on top of each other and sew the bottom and sides. Turn the bag inside out to hide the seams.
How do you make a plastic bag rug?
0:4810:24Braided Plastic Bag Rug part 1 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFirst you get some grocery bags. And you flatten it down. I cut maybe four or five at a time becauseMoreFirst you get some grocery bags. And you flatten it down. I cut maybe four or five at a time because the actual cutting doesn't have to be really neat just gotta cut the bottoms. Off.
What can I make with a paper bag?
21 Paper Bag Crafts You and Your Kids Will Love01 of 21. Grocery Bag Paper Crown. ... 02 of 21. Paper Bag Piñata. ... 03 of 21. Brown Paper Packages Tied up With Strings. ... 04 of 21. Faux Wood Plank Floors. ... 05 of 21. A Collection of School Lunch Bags. ... 06 of 21. Leaf Lantern Tutorials. ... 07 of 21. DIY Paper Bag Bouquets. ... 08 of 21.More items...•
How can plastic bags be reused or recycled?
Collecting garbage: you can reuse plastic bags by collecting garbage in mini bins all around the home, like in the bathroom or bedroom. Plastic bags can also be used to collect garbage in your car. Once they are full, simply pull out the plastic bags and replace them with a new one.
Is it safe to reuse plastic grocery bags?
Disposable plastic bags are usually available in your store's raw meat, fish, poultry or produce areas. Immediately after use, throw away disposable plastic bags used for raw meat, fish or poultry. Never reuse bags that contained raw meat, fish or poultry.
How do you reuse Ziploc bags?
According to a Ziploc representative, the Ziploc Storage, Freezer, Snack and Sandwich Bags are reusable by hand washing and thoroughly drying prior to reuse.
Even if you use reusable shopping bags, there's a good chance you have some plastic grocery bags somewhere in your home. In addition to using the bags for trash, storage and even picking up after the dog, here are 15 brilliant ways to reuse those plastic grocery bags
Even if you use reusable shopping bags, there's a good chance you have some plastic grocery bags somewhere in your home. In addition to using the bags for trash, storage and even picking up after the dog, here are 15 brilliant ways to reuse those plastic grocery bags.
Handbag
The blogger from circularthreadz says she turns heads when she heads to the store with this handbag made with plastic grocery bags. It took her about nine hours and around 500 plastic bags to make this reusable handbag.
Classroom Lessons
One educator is using plastic bags to teach students about how we can better use and dispose of plastic materials. Read about her lesson plans focusing on plastic bags on Bags Revolt.
Rope
If you have several plastic bags, try using them to make a rope as seen on Irational.org. Use the finished product to keep groceries from falling over in the car.
Keep a Paintbrush Fresh
If you’re doing some painting around the house, use a plastic bag to keep your paintbrush fresh. To keep the brush from drying out, put it in a plastic bag and wrap it up like a burrito, as seen on The Rozy Home.
Coasters
The blogger from Trash Backwards used plastic bags to create these coasters. Use them to keep your coffee table clear from drips and beverage rings.
Store Decorations
For a clever storage solution, use plastic bags to store Christmas tree branches. The blogger from Nurturing Wisdom wraps the branches tightly in the bags, then labels them so she knows which branches go first on her artificial tree.
How does plastic affect animals?
Those plastic particles end up contaminating animals, allowing it to work its way up the food chain where it can eventually poison the humans that eat it. Let’s work to keep plastic out of landfills and the environment. It may be easier than you think to reduce your personal plastic waste.
How long does it take for plastic to break down?
Speaking for Mother Earth, plastic is a problem. It most often ends up polluting landfills, where it can take up to 400 years to break down, or contaminating our planet’s marine ecosystems. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, between 4.8 and 12.7 million metric tons of plastic waste entered the global marine environment in 2010. Those plastic particles end up contaminating animals, allowing it to work its way up the food chain where it can eventually poison the humans that eat it.
What is plarn art?
Plarn: the art of making yarn out of plastic. Here, we’ll show you how to make multi-purpose yarn out of plastic bags to create things like rugs, baskets, or anything your heart desires.
What are bows made of?
Bows take every gift-wrapping job to the next level. But, let’s be honest, they’re made of a lot of unnecessary single-use plastics. Good news for environmentalists—you can have your cake and eat it too by making your own upcycled DIY gift bows out of plastic bags.
Is recycling plastic bags eco friendly?
Recycling is another eco-friendly option when it comes to plastic bags. If your city hasn’t banned the bag yet, you’re likely accumulating them after shopping trips. Recycling is an easy eco-friendly option. Earth911 will guide you through the process.
How to grow potatoes in plastic bags?
Especially if the bag is large and the plastic is a little sturdier (thicker bags are made from low density polyethylene, or LDPE, as opposed to the thin, filmy plastic bags which are made of high density polyethylene, HDPE), you can easily grow potatoes in plastic bags instead of transplanting them in your garden. Roll the top of the bag down and fill the bottom with a couple of inches of soil and compost mix. Plant your seed potatoes, cover and continue covering with soil and compost as potatoes grow. Keep the soil moist, and once the soil is at the brim of the bag and the flowers have died back, dump the contents and sift out the spuds.
When to tie a plastic bag around plants?
Every so often, a late spring snowstorm will catch gardeners by surprise. If you hear rumors of an upcoming frost, tie a plastic bag around your plants to protect them from the unexpected chill.
How to keep plants in a pot?
Use wire coat hangers to create two U-shaped hoops on either side of a thoroughly watered potted plant and cover with a plastic bag. Tie the handles or tuck the edge of the plastic bag under the pot to create a warm, moist greenhouse environment.
Can you use plastic bags for packing?
If you have a fat wad of single-use shopping bags, they can be upcycled as an alternative packing material for disposable foam packing peanuts and bubble wrap when storing fragile items. You can even use plastic bags to pad shipping envelopes and boxes to save a few dollars at the post office.
Do zero waste people forget to bring reusable bags to the store?
Even zero-waste enthusiasts occasionally forget to bring reusable bags to the store. And when it happens, there’s that sinking feeling at the check-out counter, when the conveyor belt is brimming with groceries and our handy totes are nowhere in sight.
What to do with a plastic bag in a kitty litter bin?
Placing a plastic grocery bag over the bottom of the kitty litter bin makes it easy to dispose of the dirty litter and keeps the bin clean and more sanitary. 8. Use them as packing material. When you are traveling, plastic bags can be used to wrap up breakable souvenirs.
What to do if a jar leaks out of a suitcase?
Nothing is worse than having the contents of a jar leak out in a suitcase. Use pieces of plastic grocery bags inside the lid of the jar to form a double seal to keep them from leaking.
How to dispose of a soiled diaper?
Keep them in your diaper bag. Just dump the whole diaper in contents and all and dispose of in a trash bin.
How to store plungers in bathroom?
If you store your plunger in the bathroom closet, let it sit in a plastic bag. It will keep the floor under it cleaner and can be discarded when it gets too dirty in side and replaced with a new one.
Is paper or plastic better for the environment?
Plastic or paper is a question often heard at the check out of the grocery store. Even though paper is better for the environment, I usually choose plastic, because I know that I will be reusing them. Plastic grocery bags have so many more uses than just bringing home the groceries.
How to pack for a dog?
Wrap up a stinky Diaper. Keep up after your dog while taking a walk. One great packing hack is to pack your shoes in them while traveling to protect your other clothes. Plastic bags make terrific stuffing for an outdoor pillow. Put inside out-of-season shoes so they don’t lose their form.
How to protect clothes from being out of season?
Play parachute for the kids! Sponge Painting with your kids. Texture paint your walls, use a scrunched up bag to make an interesting marbled effect. Make a flower craft out of different colored plastic bags.
Can you use reusable bags for shopping?
While shopping with reusable shopping bags is best, it is not always practical. As you know, we love recycling and upcycling things around the house. Here are 38 Things you can do with Plastic Bags. Put them to good use with a great packing hack, a garbage management tip, and more to keep them from the landfills!
What to do with old plastic bags?
Those old plastic bags can be turned into decorative flowers that you can use to spruce up any number of gifts and other items. These are really easy to make. You just cut the bag into strips and then form it into a bow shaped flower. They’re great for adding to gift bags and other things.
What can I do with plastic bangles?
1. Upcycled Plastic Bag Bangles. You can turn ordinary plastic bangle bracelets and upcycled plastic bags into these beautifully fashionable bracelets. You just wind up the bag and wrap it around your bangles, and you can use bags of all sorts of colors to create bangles to wear with every outfit.
What is a sunflower tote bag?
This sunflower tote bag is perfect for summer and you can make it in just a few hours. It’s made by crocheting plarn and is plenty roomy enough to serve as a beach bag. Even the sunflower decoration on this one is made from upcycled plastic bags. It’s just a really neat bag that will help you to use up some of your grocery bag stash.
How many grocery bags do you need to crochet shoes?
When you turn those bags into plarn and crochet, you can. You’ll need about 40 grocery bags for these shoes and the pattern is really simple. You don’t even have to be an expert at crochet to make them. As long as you know basic stitches, you should be fine.
Can you crochet a grocery bag into a flower pot?
You can also turn those old grocery bags into this amazing flowerpot. You just turn the bags into “yar n” and crochet them together to create it. It’s pretty simple and you could do any number of sizes to cover up all of your planters.
Can you make a laptop case out of a grocery bag?
Yes, you can make a great laptop case out of those upcycled grocery bags. This is a lined bag – you can use an old sweatshirt for the lining – that will keep your laptop protected and it’s not at all difficult to make. You can have it finished in just a couple of hours and save yourself about $20 or so over buying a laptop case at your nearest department store.
Can you make sandwich wraps with old grocery bags?
Using your old grocery bags, you can make these reusable sandwich wraps which are perfect for lunches or when you’re traveling. You need to fuse the bags together, which isn’t difficult at all and when you’re finished, you get these great little wraps that help to keep your sandwiches protected and tasting fresh. 25.
Can you use a plastic apron for cooking?
Plastic can melt when exposed to extreme heat so using this apron for cooking is not only a bad idea but also a dangerous one. 6. Floor rug.
Can you recycle plastic bags?
Instead of disposing them and just adding waste to the landfill, you can recycle them in very creative ways! As we all know , more people and stores are avoiding using plastic bags these days because it takes hundreds of years before they break down. That does not do well for Mother Nature.
Can you make an apron out of recycled plastic bags?
And you can totally make one from recycled plastic bags!
What to do with extra plastic bags?
Another useful way to use your extra plastic bags is to use them for storing your vegetables and other loose items in your fridge. Whenever I go shopping for produce, I don’t always want to use the baggies they provide at the grocery store so that I can reuse what I already have when storing them in the crisper. 3.
Why cover plants with plastic bags?
If I have plants just starting to sprout or they’re just starting out in the pot, I’ll often cover them up with plastic bags to contain moisture when the suns not on them. This helps create a personal greenhouse for the plant and can encourage a healthy growth rate.
How long does it take for plastic to biodegrade?
Plastic is one of the leading causes of pollution on our planet and can take up to 1000 years for it to biodegrade. When I learned that, I started focusing on making better uses out of my plastic bags, bottles, and any other plastic objects that could be reused.
Can you replace placemats with plastic bags?
If you want to start replacing some of your old placemats, maybe try to make your own out of plastic bags. It’s not only easy and fun to do, but these placemats can last a very long time. Not a bad deal for some used plastic bags.
Can you use plastic rope for a rope?
Whatever you’re using the rope for, you’ll likely be able to use a DIY plastic rope. Be careful though, it may not be able to hold as much as other fabric ropes.
Is it safe to play with plastic bags?
Sometimes small toys can be expensive and even dangerous for babies, so making them a simple crinkly toy stuffed with plastic bags is a great way to keep them smiling. It’s very easy to do and most babies will find it super entertaining to play with.
Can you put dirty clothes in a plastic bag?
Having clean and dirty clothes mixed together while traveling really just makes all your clothes dirty. As a way to avoid this and to improve the organization of your luggage while traveling, consider putting your dirty clothes in a plastic bag.
