10 uses for plastic bags

Question

Problem: a plethora of plastic bags (and our trash service doesn't take them in the recycle bin) Solution: Reuse We use the plastic bags for kitty litter, as trash can liners, as lunch sacks and much more. Find out other clever ways to reuse plastic bags at http://www.mrshinesclass.com/2013/04/02/10-ways-with-recycled-bags/ I'd love to hear your ideas, too! #Recycle

Lynne · Answer

thank you for the tips!

Z · Answer

Though I have uses reusable bags for about twenty years now there are times when I just get the plastic handle bags because as you stated above they work so well for small trash can liners. Years ago I changed from tall kitchen trash cans to start using handle bags since often what you want to toss in the kitchen trash needs to be taken out on a daily basis anyway. I've also used them for kitty litter removal and they work great to use somewhat as a 'glove' when picking up kitty fur 'cookies'. Once picked up you can reverse the bag, tie in a knot and toss in the garbage without getting your hands dirty. 
Any bags with holes get saved to be returned to retail store recycle bins.

Tammy Rasmussen · Answer

Our church crochets them into mats for the homeless.

Sharon E. Hines · Answer

Now that's a very creative idea, @Tammy Rasmussen . Thanks for sharing!

Sharon E. Hines · Answer

@Z , I do want to trade in some plastic bags for reusable, but like you said, I'm always going to have a need for plastic bags too. We have a cat...I love the idea of using a plastic bag as a glove.

Z · Answer

It works great for those quick 'pick it ups' one often has with furry friends. We have four long haired kitties so there's loads of them little 'gifts' left for us each morning. Seems they always find a rug too. Though I will give you a hint, if you leave them to dry they are much easier to clean up since they pretty much sit on top of the carpet. If you try and clean them when wet you just mush them in. I found this out by accident once when I didn't find one until it was dry. Now I lay a paper towel over them and let them dry first. May sound gross, but it's just a 'fur ball'.

Kelly S · Answer

I used my bagsfor pooper scooper duty when walking the dog instead of buying bags specifically for that. @Tammy Rasmussen , my grandmpther crocheted them into small area rugs for the camper and the back door.

Tracey Blake · Answer

Local Thrift stores (not big ones like goodwill or arc) love them. I always donate some to our local humane shelter thrift store.

Penster47 · Answer

I crocheted a bag for a friend of mine at church. She had to use a walker and as she got weaker, she couldn't manage her purse and Bible with the walker. So I crocheted a large bag for her to hang on the walker and she put her things in it. She really enjoyed it. You just lay the bags out flat and smooth them. cut off the very bottom where the seam is, and the top where the handles are. Then cut them across, about 1 1/2 to 2 inches wide and loop the loops together. Keep looping them until you have a large ball of 'plarn' (plastic yarn) and start crocheting. If you run out just keep on adding loops.

Pattie Patterson · Answer

I use them to bag up the dog's wee-wee pads before I throw them in the trash can outside. Helps contain the smell so the bought bag in the can may be reused as opposed to trashing it each time.

Sharon E. Hines · Answer

These are some great ideas....keep them coming!

Linda Seger · Answer

I work for JCPenney and we recycle plastic bags. Customers are welcome bring in theirs. Sometimes there is a tall green bin or you can ask sales associates. I take all mine from home too.

Teresa Loerts · Answer

I use them as 'stuffing' when making decorations for outside - snowman & fall wreaths & scarecrows - The material can get wet but the plastic bags shed the water so they dry quickly when the sun comes back out - unless you happen to get the bag in upside down and it fills with water! Then just squeeze the water out and you're good to go!

Bernice H · Answer

@Z you are talking about fur balls, right? Not poop balls? I find most of the bags I get from safeway and walmart develop little holes even before I get them home. So I don't use them for litter unless I can't see any holes, who needs litter falling out? if you are talking about fur balls, good idea to let it dry..hmmm.

Sharon Fiumefreddo · Answer

I came across a good idea recently. I work in a large grocery store chain and we recycle them there. I use the produce plastic bags for my cats litter box and regular sized plactic bags for dog 'duty'. My idea is what if you sewed 2 Terri cloth towels together and stuffed them full with the plastic bags, sewed the top of the towels...dish towels, hand towels etc..closed and used them for pool pillows? I think I am going to try that as soon as I get the chance :)

Sharon E. Hines · Answer

This is such a fun discussion. @Sharon Fiumefreddo , what an innovative idea. I'd love to see a picture if you do make a pool pillow. @Linda Seger , I guess this reveals how little I shop, but I would have never known that you could recycle at retail stores.

Z · Answer

I didn't know places like JC Penney's recycled bags. That's good to know. @Bernice H, yes I was talking hair balls, but they really are long and 'log' like. I did change my wording so as no one else thinks I would leave 'pooh' to dry. Ewwww... LOL

Bernice H · Answer

ok, gotcha! Hairballs it is! Now that I think of it, letting pooh to dry is not what I would expect from you! ha

Z · Answer

LOL Glad to know that @Bernice H. It was very hard for me at first to let the fur balls dry but I soon found that cleaning them up right away made more of a mess. Pooh on the other hand would need to be carefully cleaned and sanitized. Over and over again. 8^\

Bernice H · Answer

Yup, been there done that! But it is easy on vinyl flooring! ha..Not the pooh, the hairballs.

Debbie Polson · Answer

My all time favorite is to hang them outside my upstairs windows by trapping them in the screen. Every year the barn swallows believe they need to build nests there, but the flapping bags will scare them off. I usually only have to leave them up for a couple of days!!

Bonnie · Answer

I use the heavier plastic bags (thirty-one,aeropostal) to make flowers--a circle,pipecleaner,silk leaf,floral wire and floral tape..WaaLaa!!! a beautiful carnation!!! My planter on my porch are full of them!!!

Sharon E. Hines · Answer

Very creative, @Bonnie !

Kelly S · Answer

@Bonnie , please post pictures and a how to. The flower idea sound really cute.

Comet · Answer

I saw--Pinterest perhaps???--a pillow made of out door safe fabric and you take two plastic bags. Use one to stuff your OTHERloose left over plastic bags into. Ttie the handles and then place into the second bag and cover--envelope style would mean no zip and easy to wash or dry if needed--the bag 'o bags inside! Voila outdoor pillows ate little expense! Bet you could make the longer pillows that are SO expensive for a swing or a lounger too---or pool side; firepit sitting area--chair cushions----If you saved the ones that come with holes in the bottom or get ripped then you would not be 'depriving' yourself of useful ones either! This could also work using the large sheets of soft plastic wrap that some things come wrapped in when shipped.

Valerie · Answer

In our area we have empty bottles mounted onto wooden stakes, containing plastic bags. These are available for dog-walkers, so that they can 'pick-up' their mess and not leave them on the pavements. They are also available at main points of entry to beaches. Most residents co-operate. Plastic bags are also used to make 'animals' and bags - I have a post on chickens made out of plastic bags, but here is a photograph:

Linda Couckuyt · Answer

Sharon @mrs. hines class - I take all my bags to our local library. They are always needed bags. I'll bet any charitable organization like Salvation Army, etc., would be able to use them in their stores as well.

Eileen Peace · Answer

My Grandmother made 'rag' rugs with her plastic bags. They were waterproof and easy to clean with the garden hose. Just hang to dry. These rugs lasted forever.

UpState · Answer

Slip one on each foot when you simply scamper outside to get the mail, the newspaper, or just a quick visit to your neighbor !!!

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