Reuse Plastic Grocery Bags
This way you empty the trash more frequent, keep the house more sanitary and odorless. For the last twenty years, we have never bought the commercial garbage bags. Of course you can also find other uses for the bags.
By Peng from Seattle, WA
Feedback About This Post:
RE: Reuse Plastic Grocery Bags
My daughter and son-in-law live in another state. I save my plastic grocery bags and use them as free packing material when I send them gifts.
Post by LynetteOD856
RE: Reuse Plastic Grocery Bags
Please reconsider using plastic bags at all. they NEVER go away! Go to YouTube and type in "plastic bags" and watch any of the videos. It will make you sick. Here's one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxNqzAHGXvs&NR=1. I too used to use plastic bags for many "re-cycling" projects -- in small trash bins, wrapping dirty diapers, kitchen scraps, etc. When I saw these videos I quit cold turkey. I now use the pictured small mesh bags. They fit in my pocket or purse so I always have them as I always forgot the larger bags in my car trunk. I got these at one of the $$ type stores -- they are very strong and hold a lot. We have to do something to protect our earth -- it's the only one we have! Thanks
Post by HalfWhit
RE: Reuse Plastic Grocery Bags
I used those grocery bags as trash bags for years. Now we use bigger ones to collect all the smaller ones - & we still take along our grocery bags to use for trash when we are on the boat. If any are left we then take them back to the store to recycle them. So, using them that way, I don't see why they are so demonized, except for those who leave them around as litter - and that is a litter problem. Maybe a chemist out there will explain if there is a real difference?
Post by pamphyila
RE: Reuse Plastic Grocery Bags
Yes, the bags end up in the landfill in the end. But... So does the bags you purchase made for trash cans. So to all you "dont use, recycle" people... what do you all use for trash bags? Same difference.
Anyways, I love this post. We do this as well. Instead of a trash can in the kitchen, we just have two small hooks by the door leading outside. However, we live in an apartment and the kitchen is tiny,
Also, these bags have less material used than trash can liners ( even the small ones ) so it is in fact a better alternative... in my view anyways.
Reuse your paper bags as sewing patterns or to wrap up postal packages.
Post by Becca25
RE: Reuse Plastic Grocery Bags
You're still putting plastic bags into the landfills. Better yet save them take them back to the store and put in their recycle bin for just plastic bags. Every store has them as you enter the store.
Post by heycher
RE: Reuse Plastic Grocery Bags
I don't have a pattern, but you can cut the plastic bags in strips and crochet them to make rugs and such. A lady in our church is going to teach us how.
Post by tp12aug
RE: Reuse Plastic Grocery Bags
I am saving up my plastic grocery bags to make a "green" Grocery bag. I will cut the bags in strips, join them together and either knit or crochet a bag to take to the grocery store. They can also be knit or crocheted into rugs or whatever you want.
Post by Debbie-Jenn
RE: Reuse Plastic Grocery Bags
I've been doing this for years as well (reusing grocery bags as trash bags) so I was really surprised so many people on the green movement front started pushing people to use canvas bags at the stores. Although, maybe they don't use garbage bags at all but if you do (and I do!) it's a great alternative use for them! I still do use tall kitchen bags but only in the kitchen I reuse grocery bags for every other room that has a can.
Post by aspiring_73
RE: Reuse Plastic Grocery Bags
I use the plastic grocery bags for mucky garbage, and like Peng, haven't used a purchased garbage bag for that for a long time. I use waste paper baskets without liners for places like my office where the garbage is just paper and cardboard.
I applaud michawnpita for being frugal and not using plastic at all, but I am afraid I am not as energetic.
Post by louel53
RE: Reuse Plastic Grocery Bags
You can also reuse paper grocery bags - yes, some stores still use them. As lng as the garbage isn't wet, paper works as well or better, and is biodegradable besides.
Post by JustPlainJo
RE: Reuse Plastic Grocery Bags
We used to use the plastic shopping bags for our rubbish as well until recently when here in our state in Australia the government banned the supermarkets from issuing them. So now I have to buy plastic bags for my rubbish or just put the rubbish straight into the bin without plastic. Either way there is nothing gained as I have to wash the bins out with precious water and disinfectant which does nothing to help the environment or use plastic bags which I buy (these are usually made overseas and not here so there no gain to our economy.
Post by Sharylesley
RE: Reuse Plastic Grocery Bags
Even better yet, recycle the plastic bags at the grocery store to be made into new things. "Recycling" them by using them as trash bags, it just throwing them into the landfill a few days later.
Better still, is to buy plastic garbage cans, that way when they get grimy you can wash them, in the meantime spray them down after each empty with some Lysol or homemade disinfectant.
Post by michawnpita
Disclaimer: ThriftyFun.com cannot accept any responsibility for any injury or damage that you may cause to yourself, others, or property when following any advice given on this site. Read the full disclaimer: http://www.thriftyfun.comdisclaimer.ldml If you find any information on ThriftyFun.com or in our newsletters that is either erroneous and/or potentially harmful to others, please Contact Us, immediately.