Uses for Plastic Grocery Bags

A recycled market bag made from plastic grocery bags.

Reusing plastic grocery bags is a great way to help the environment and reduce trash in the landfills. There are many ways you can reuse these bags that can help save you money. This is a guide about uses for plastic grocery bags.

Videos

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Making a Dog Leash from Plastic Grocery Bags

This short video teaches you how to make a creative dog leash out of old plastic grocery bags.

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Solutions: Uses for Plastic Grocery Bags

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Use Plastic Hooks to Hang Plastic Grocery Bags in Trash Bin

I like to recycle plastic grocery bags in my kitchen garbage container. I bought a package of self-adhesive plastic cup hooks at the dollar store and put two on the inside of the trash can on the right and two more on the left. The handles of the plastic bags hang on the hooks, holding them up and open. When the bag is full, pull it off the hooks and tie it shut with the two handles. I have not bought garbage bags in 25 years.

By Libadmin

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Amazing Uses for Plastic Bags

A bunch of plastic bags to be made into plarn.

Save money on rubber and plastic! Want to re-purpose and re-use those plastic grocery store bags and get the most bang for your buck? Here are some answers that are sure to make you smile. When you get home from the store or pharmacy, don't just wad up those bags and throw them away. Tuck all of your bags inside of ONE bag and wait until you need them. Here are some great uses!

Use to separate and store meat that you have purchased. Make a sink or basin of warm, soapy water with bleach. Insert your hand into several of the bags (individually) and wash them in the water. Immerse in rinse water and let them dry just a little bit in the drain rack. Spray the outside of the bag (which is actually the inside) with cooking spray (or grease with a small amount of oil), insert your hand inside, and pick up the meat! Your hand never touches the meat. Pull out the amount you are going to separate, remove your hand, express any remaining air, then knot and tie the bag. Take a second bag and insert the tied bag inside then knot and tie again to ensure that there are no freezer burns when you freeze it.

Use to store leftovers. Depending upon the thickness of the bag, store the not-so-juicy dinner leftovers. If you have something like soup that is not "too" thin, use the double-bag process again. You can store or freeze.

Use to store opened pasta, rice, beans and chips. Have a half open bag of rice or pasta? A half open bag of beans, cereal, chips? Just slide that open bag inside of one of the store bags. Make sure you have "twisted" the open bag, then grab the grocery bag at the bottom (closest to the open bag), twist, knot and tie. You don't have to worry about the little weevils or your chips becoming stale! I kept one giant bag of chips for over a month, and the last chip was just as fresh as the first! The secret is getting rid of all the air before you tie it.

Use them for dirty jobs. We had a septic back-up and needed to remove a toilet full of "wadded up" toilet tissue. You know it! I double-bagged them, tied them at my arm, took two more double bags, pulled out the clogged tissue, inserted it into the other two double bags, removed the "hand bags" from the inside out, tied the "receiving" bag, and my hands never touched any of the stuff from the toilet!

Use them in the garden. If you can't find your gardening gloves, or if you don't own a pair. Tie them at the wrist and get busy.

Use them to wash dishes. Again, tie at the wrist or higher.

Use them to moisturize. Wash hands thoroughly, apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to hands, wrap hands in bag for fifteen to thirty minutes and the end result will be astonishing!

Use for housecleaning. Don't want to get cleaning supplies on your hands? Use the bags. Wipe down your furniture with furniture polish (or olive oil and lemon if you're like me), clean the bathrooms, sinks, etc. and protect your hands with your self-made mittens.

Use for insulation. I filled a crack that otherwise would have been too large by pushing a few bags into it, then finishing off with caulk.

Use for lunches. Wrap a sandwich in a paper towel (or if you're a little more green - in a home-made cloth napkin) and removing all the air, knot and tie. Sandwich will remain fresh until lunch time.

Use for dirty clothes. On a trip? Pack a few bags and as you take off your dirty undies, shirts, etc., store and tie dirty clothes then tuck away in an inconspicuous place in your bag.

Use to store paint rollers. Store clean rollers to keep them pliable and soft.

Use as trash bags. Of course, this is the most common use of all. Use them around the house in your small trash bins as trash bags.

Well, there you have it. There are many more uses for plastic bags. If you want more, I can certainly give them to you. These are just a few. Use your own creativity and see what you can come up with.

Don't forget, after you have used them up, put them all in ONE bag and recycle. This tip will not only help the planet, but it will keep a lot more money in your pocket over the coming year.

By FranFran from Zebulon, Georgia

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My Frugal Life: Reusing Plastic Grocery Bags

Uses for plastic grocery bags (the one time use/disposable)

To carry groceries home: Most can be used more than once to get groceries home.
For Trash: Use in small wastebaskets around the house and in the kitchen. I have a flat lidded 30 gallon wastebasket and put a bag on top of the flat lid. I toss trash in the bag then when done tie the bag and toss it in the trash bin. I empty the 30 gallon once a week on trash day
In the car: This is great if you have kids because it does not take room and they can put snacks in it to bring into car then dispose of the wrappers in the bags=easy cleanup
Wet things: Such as muddy shoes, wet umbrella, wet clothes from the beach etc.
To prevent something from getting wet
Taking soggy food home: I also use the reusable "green" bags but use the plastic bags to take produce and meat home.
Instead of paper lunch bags
Save the more colorful ones or ones that say thank you on it and use as gift wrap for harder to wrap items-wrap in several bags then tie in same spot at top and then cut the loops to make a pouf(many how tos are online ). *this idea can be done with paper bags, inside out chip bags, aluminum foil,cereal boxes etc.
As backing for a rug that needs to be waterproof on bottom-just duct tape bags on underside(be careful using on wood floor as plastic can scratch).
Draft stopper for door/window: Fill several (clean)bread bags with plastic bags tape together to make long tube of plastic filled bread bags. In the bread bags at the end, put some sort of weight(kitty litter/charcoal deodorize) also tied in bag. Or you can do what I do and tape to door instead of weight.
Make a kite or wind sock
Make a place mat with paper bag, tape and plastic bag.(great for kids art project they can make however big they want -use with plastic side up for casual dinners they can even decorate with permanent markers)
Make a door mat: Only if you have lots of bags and time (instructions exist online).
I have four dogs, which means lots of cleanup. Here they have places where you put plastic bags so that people walking their dogs in parks can use them to pick up after their dog's mess.
If all else fails recycle them in places provided (you know, the ones by entrances of stores.

Source: Some from this website, etsy.com for some of the art projects, my own ideas and my friends' because no one likes waste.

By caeridwen from Kent OH

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Grocery Bags As Garbage Bags

Our family has recycled grocery plastic bags as trash bags for years. We use small plastic trash container about 12 inch diameter and 14 inches high. We have one in each bathroom, kitchen and laundry room. We simply insert the plastic grocery bag in. Once the trash is full, we just remove the bags to the large garbage can outside the house.

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

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Use Plastic Grocery Bags for Packing Material

Use your plastic shopping bags for packing in shipping packages. It is light weight and free. Also it is a good cushion.

By Kate from Gainesville, FL

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Ways To Reuse Plastic Bags

We, as a whole, use way too much plastic. Its life span is hundred of years if put in landfills. So I have tried to find ways of reusing, recycling and looking at it in a different way.

Try not changing your trash bag more often then needed. If you sprinkle baking soda in a new bag, it will stay fresher longer. Why pay extra for scented bags. I take essential drops, put a couple drops on a cloth and wipe inside the bag. The smell lasts a week. Use vanilla, lavender or whatever is your favorite. If you are making dinner using meat containers, onions, garlic or have food that needs to be tossed, try using a grocery bag. Take it out right away instead of wasting a bag that isn't full.

Growing up in the country, we always had a bucket for the pigs, or maybe your community has a compost bin for gardens. Now I live in the city, so no buckets or pigs but I try to do my part. Living by the ocean, we always see how dolphins, fish and our waste is affecting everyone in some way.

When you get your food, most of us put produce in plastic type bags. Don't throw them away, instead try reusing them. You'll find they can come in handy. If not, maybe just get used to doing it in a different way. Look in the organic produce, my local store has the green bags for free. You can reuse them over and over again.These same bags are sold on TV and help with bananas or bread's life span. I have found by taking my lettuce, cucumbers or other produce out of the packaging or plastic bags, they keep crisper longer. The store keeps these damp to make it look more attractive to the buyer. It may look better but also will wilt your produce 3x as fast. Take out,dry off, put in drawer or container in fridge. Put a sponge in the drawer to absorb any moisture left. It works!

I buy a couple things packaged in really thick, resealable bags. Keep those and reuse them. They are great for taking along a damp cloth for sticky hands, laundry coins, dryer sheets, keeping Kleenex fresh; the list goes on. Using them for food is great! I have seen coffee in these type bags, my chia seeds come in them, cough drops. I have even noticed some chips now come in these type of plastic resealable bags. I find they keep things fresh so long and are not costing me a penny. Just remember, if you put in fridge,freezer or have several, mark what is in them.

Since I was a child, we used grocery bags in bathroom. I turn my so you can't see any writing and turn handles inward so you would never know. When I do have to get bags, I take several rolled up in the bottom of the bathroom container so when I take one out, another is handy.

We can't get away from plastic all together. If you try, be surprised how little you really need. All of it has another use and is saving you money somewhere else. Find a way to reuse them, even dog parks will take them. I have found they make great gloves when I don't want my hands to touch certain things. Great for cleaning out doors, even for painting.

I have found the zip lock bags can be used over 20x. I have a wine rack on my counter. Placing a wooden spoon so the handle sticks out is a great way for them to dry out fast. Just rinse, turn wrong side out, put in soapy water, rinse and dry. Ready for use next time. I have seen a cute clay pot with red beans in it that would be perfect. Stick any wooden spoon, wooden rulers or pencils, then set by sink to help your bags dry out faster. Lunches, snacks, sorting, dividing, freezing items all can be reused. Start your kids out young. Ask them to bring bag home. Let them see you reusing instead of wasting plastic. Tell them "I want your world to be better". They will grow up doing what you taught them and loving you for it.

It isnt about the money to everyone, as it is for me. We all need to look back and see what has happened and start changing it anyway we can. Being thrifty is a way of life for me, plus I love the challenge. Not everyone at the store has my budget. However, I do notice that more and more people are bringing in bags, taking them to thrift stores (when they don't shop there) or using their own bags. I think when I smile at them, we all know how great the little things are. This Earth was a gift, so I pray it brings joy for many, many generations.

By Luana M. from San Diego, CA

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Use Small Grocery Bags For Dog Waste

Save those tiny plastic grocery bags that are too small to use for anything else. I keep my other plastic bags to use for trash containers. You can use the really little bags to pick up doggie messes in the park when walking your dog and no waste bags are available.

By duckie-do from Cortez, CO

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Use Plastic Bags Instead of Styrofoam

A friend of mine was moving large speakers from CO to CA on a bus. We packed them in boxes and used wadded up plastic grocery bags instead of newspaper or peanuts. When she got home, she had a new stash of bags and perfect speakers.

By Patricia A. H. from Colorado Springs, CO

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Crocheting With Plastic Bags

My dad's new wife just showed me how to re-use plastic grocery store bags. She folds them into four length wise then cuts the bottom off. Working your way up, you cut about one inch strips until you get to the handles (the bottom and handles are waste). Continue this with many bags and then you will tie the strips together by putting one strip into the other and grabbing and pulling the top through that loop.

Once you make a long strip, you use a G or bigger crochet hook and chain as many as you want together and crochet as you would with yarn. You can add beads... whatever you want for some snazz!

By Charlene from NJ

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Take Your Plastic Bags Back to the Store

Recycling is very important to me, sometimes to the dismay of my husband, who complains about clutter. The plastic grocery bags accumulate, even though I mostly use cloth bags. The plastic ones still find their way into my home.

To keep them organized I simply stuff them into empty tissue boxes. If one gets full, another one will neatly stack on top of it. It's very easy to pull one out of the slot intended for dispensing tissues, and I conveniently get one at a time.

I toss a full box into the car so I am armed with plenty of bags when I go to the farm stand or grocery store. Some stores even give a bit of credit off your bill per bag reused.

*TIP* Be careful your tissue box doesn't accidentally get scanned or you'll end up paying for a box of tissues you didn't purchase! Use a separate box for other, larger bags, like those from Sears, Penney, Walmart, etc. They can be reused too!

By Grayce from Fort Pierce, FL

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Plastic Bags as Emergency Toilet

Another use for plastic bags is to drape them over a bucket or other container and then use as a toilet! If it's solid waste, you just tie it off and put it in the trash. If it's urine, then before using, line the bottom of the plastic bag with a layer of newspaper (or other absorbant). In either case, you can then tie off the bag then get rid of it in a sanitary way. I understand that in Africa, they call these "flying toilets." It would be great for camping or to use in an emergency situation.

By Pam M. from Los Angeles, CA

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Keep Your Feet Dry With Plastic Bags

When we were kids and wanted to play outside in the rain or snow, we didn't have boots. My mother would put plastic bags over our socks then put our shoes on then cover the plastic bags up with our pants. My mom used bread bags but I used recycled plastic grocery bags for my kids. These days I still cover my socks with plastic bags before I go out into the snow. It's one more useful thing you can do with those plastic bags that are just waiting to be reused!

By CDR

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Small Garbage Container for Kitchen

Now that there are only two of us in our household, we have downsized our kitchen garbage container for the kitchen. We have a medium-size plastic bucket that fits perfect under the kitchen sink; out of sight and out of way.

We utilize our plastic carry out bags from grocery stores by using them to line the bucket. We usually keep about 10 bags in the bucket lined at a time. That way when the bag is pulled out and tied up to be put outside in the can, another bag is already there waiting.

The medium-sized bucket is perfect for us and gets taken out almost every day without any fuss of smelly, stinky garbage that needs to go out. The bags are free and they are very easy to tie up and throw away. Sometimes when everyone is home for a holiday, we may empty the bucket 2 or 3 times a day. Again, no one minds carrying the plastic bag out because it is so compact and doesn't have a ton of garbage running out of it.

The total cost of this idea is $2 or less for plastic bucket at the dollar store. The liner bags are free from where you shop.

By Marsha from Greenville, NC

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Use Plastic Bags for Drink Holder

My husband and I like to walk for exercise and we like to bring water or iced tea with us. I have drink holders, but never can find one in the last minute, so we have found that just using a simple plastic grocery bag with handles makes a good improvised drink holder. If there is a hole in the bottom, it also drains well! That way we can always have a bag or two in the car available for when we decide to walk!

By pam munro

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Turn Plastic Grocery Bags Into Plarn

The most effective was to reuse plastic grocery bags that I do is make them into plarn, then into useful items like cell holders, lunch bags, purses, even a bingo bag for my one co-worker! There are SO many tutorials! Just google "Plarn Projects" and you will have ideas for days! Even BETTER, just look here on thrifyfun! They have many ideas for plarn!

By LadyMichelle from Pottstown, PA

Editor's Note: We do have many posts about using plarn here on ThriftyFun. Here is one guide with project instructions for making a tote or shopping bag. Check the related links or search the site for more projects.

Making a Plarn Bag

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Crocheted Beach Bag From Plastic Grocery Bags

I keep our plastic grocery bags and re-use them, but sometimes we get way too many to keep around. I fold them flat and cut strips of plastic circle (cutting the bag from side to side after cutting the handles off) and intertwine them by looping one through the other and pulling the opposite end through the loop. As I do this, I roll the strips into a ball because I use it as a crochet material.

I make tote bags for the beach and increase the size of them as much as needed to get the size I need to carry the wet things back from the beach. They are loosely crocheted enough to be sprayed outside with the items in the bag and get the sand off. Then just hang them and they will drip dry.

Make the handles on the tote bag long enough to carry it across the body, or at least over the shoulder, so your hands are free to do other things. You can even make rugs of these to put your wet boots on during the rainy season. Keep it outside though!

Follow any crochet pattern that you have for either of these and experiment on your own as well.

By Diane from Owego, NY

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Tie Dirty Diapers In Plastic Bags

When my wife and I had our first baby, we put a Diaper Genie on on baby shower want list. And we GOT it, but we found out with our second and third child that those bags from the grocery store did just as well as "diaper containment restraint fields" (We were Trekies). Drop the diaper in and the wipes used to clean up the deed and then tie the puppy tight to contain the odiferous concoction. Dispose of with distaste in the nearest refuse bin.

By Suntydt from Tazewell, TN

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Plastic Produce Bags

I save the plastic bags that my produce comes in and use them to line a large coffee can when I am cooking. This is a great way to eliminate trips back and forth to the garbage can when you are cooking, just put your scraps and ends into the can. The bag keeps it from getting nasty inside.

Also, consider saving peelings and bits from vegetables to make stock. I keep them in my freezer in these vegetable bags until I have enough. Then boil them together in some water with salt pepper and spices, strain it and you have a nice flavored broth. Be sure that you are washing your vegetables of course. Don't want gritty soup! You can also save bones from a chicken, or meat bones to boil with the vegetables. Makes delicious broth just from stuff you would have thrown away anyway.

By Celeste from Florida

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Offer Used Plastic Bags to Customers

This may sound a little "unprofessional" to some, but in my business I mostly use used plastic bags for my customers. I simply ask "Would you like a recycled, used plastic bag?" and so far EVERY customer I've asked has said with enthusiasm "Why YES, I would LOVE a recycled bag!"

This only saves me a few pennies, but more importantly, it helps the environment. So all you business owners out there, why not offer your customers a recycled bag? (Be sure to double-check the used bags for cleanliness first.)

* You can also have a bin for them to return the plastic bags back to you and this might even help bring more customers back in!

By Cyinda from Seattle

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Reuse Plastic Bags for Smelly Garbage

I save all my plastic bags to reuse, even the small bags that come from stores (meat, greeting cards, etc. are often put into small bags before being placed in the grocery bag).

I use them for kitty litter when scooping the pan, just tie off and put in the larger bag, I also use them for smelly garbage (onions, meat wrappers, etc). You can make a non odorous package by tying off the plastic bag as close to the garbage as possible, flipping the excess plastic over the garbage and tying again. Depending on the size of the bag you can often wrap it three times. Since I live on the third floor and only take the trash out once a day, I really found this helped cut down the odours (also keeps the cat's noses out of the can.)

By Cinnamon from Williams Lake BC

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Quilt Batting With Recycled Plastic Bags

I normally use cloth bags for groceries, but occasionally forget to put them back in the car, so I have a few plastic bags in the house. I picked up a footstool with a vinyl top and wooden legs at a yard sale for $1.00. I wanted to use left-over material from the curtains to cover the vinyl. I also wanted it to have a quilted look.

Rather than buying quilt batting, I decided to recycle plastic grocery bags. I flattened a dozen bags and added a backing, then tacked them together. I cut my material the size I needed for the stool cover, then used the sewing machine to quilt the bags and backing to the material. This gave me a thinly quilted pad which I finished with material to cover the stool. I would NEVER suggest using plastic grocery bags for a real quilt, but they are quite durable for a stool cover and I recycled them.

By Dianne from Wilsonville, OR

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Newer Plastic Grocery Bags Disintegrate

Don't we love to re-use those plastic bags from the grocery store? I store things in them, and a lot of women cut them into strips and crochet them. Those strips are called "plarn."

Well, a warning. They are now making them to disintegrate in the landfill. I just took one out of my cupboard that I was using to keep some socks, and before I could open it and take the socks out of it, it began to fall apart all over the floor. I couldn't stop the confetti, it was everywhere. It floated and flew. I had to drag out the vacuum cleaner.

The older bags are still useful, but be mindful; I wouldn't use them for crochet projects unless you are very sure they won't disintegrate.

By hopeful

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Metal Frame Under Sink to Hang Plastic Grocery Bag for Trash

Never buy another kitchen trash bag! Mount a small metal frame to the inside of the door directly below the sink and hang plastic grocery bags from it. It's a great way to reuse all those store bags and easy to get at.

I replace my bags every 2 days or so. I also line the bottom of the bags with a layer of newspaper, as the bags are not watertight. By using smaller bags, the garbage never hangs around too long to stink up the house.

Source: I was tired of having an exposed garbage basket.

By annelaundrie from Green Bay, WI

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Reuse Plastic Grocery Bags

Make a Plastic Bag Rug!

Tips from our readers on reusing plastic grocery bags. Post your own below.

Reduce

Even better than reusing them, is to NOT use them in the first place. They take forever to break down in a land fill, so if you can use a cloth bag that you've taken with you, you'll be doing the world a favour (and don't throw those potato peelings away, put them in the compost!)

By Mary

Reuse

Use In Car

These work GREAT as a garbage holder for the car. Since we have a large van, we have more than one garbage bag for our children!

By smcarney

My son gets car sick easy so we always carry wal-mart bags under the seat in the car within easy reach for him. They are great for collecting "trash" in the car too.

By Reta

Store empty grocery sacks, rolled into empty cardboard paper towel rolls. Great for the car. We always keep a couple of rolls in the trunk. Great disposable trash bags.

By Sean C

Diaper Clean Up

We use the bags for dirty diapers when we're out and about. Also good if you're over at a friend or relative's house, for keeping smell and mess to a minimum.

By Row

Store In Pill Bottles

I stuff two to three of the plastic bags in old pill bottles. I can just put the pill bottles full of plastic bags in my purse or car, this not only lets me save the plastic bags but I am also reusing pill bottles too.

By Ziggee

Packing Material

Plastic grocery bags act as a protective cushion when packing dishes or breakables.

By Di

Kids Clean Up

The little plastic grocery bags we get are useful the little ones when teaching them to help clean up a room. They are also good for the little garbage cans in our bathrooms.

By Joyce

Handbag Storage

I crumple or shred paper, put it in a plastic grocery bag, tie the handles together in a knot and stuff my empty handbags to help them keep their shape while in storage.

By darween

Use As Overshoes

As a building contractor, I use the plastic grocery bags as overshoes to prevent dragging mud/dirt into a client's home. Also if I'm in dress shoes and have to make a quick trip out into a muddy garden.

By rich51

Use To Remove Poison Ivy

Use plastic bags in your garden if you spot any poison ivy! Double-bag the dominant hand to grasp the plant at ground level (moistening the soil if necessary, to make it looser) and pull the plant out by the roots, bravely. Using the bare (other) hand, pull the bottom plastic bag around the root ball of the offending plant and, while holding it thus protected in the bare hand, ease (reverse) the dominant hand from the remaining bag, thus covering the top of the plant securely without any possibility of either hand being touched by the plant. Tip: Before reusing plastic bags for such serious uses, gather air into their necks and twist tightly to detect any existing slits or holes.

By CheepieGal

Garden Shoes

I tie them around my shoes to protect them when I'm out in my garden, especially after it rains and my garden is muddy.

By dixie35481

Kitchen Wastes

I hang a plastic bag on pants/skirt hangers (the ones with the clips) in the utility room. Then I wad them up and stuff them in the bag hanging from the hanger. When I need one I just grab it out of the "storage" bag. I use them in the wastebaskets in the bathrooms and bedrooms. Also, I have attached two plastic, self-adhesive hooks on the side of my counter, spaced far enough apart to conveniently hold the bag open so I can put all my garbage in while I'm cooking. When it's full, I simply tie the handles together and take it to the big outside garbage can (or get hubby to do it). This saves many steps (kinda like Rachel has her garbage bowl, I have my garbage bag) so I don't have to go back and forth to the utility room where the kitchen garbage can is.

By Rubyred

I too use grocery bags to line my trashcans around the house. I didn't realize how much easier it was to just pick them up, tie the top and out they go. Recently, I have been having some problems with my balance and so I have been having to sit down to do my cooking in the kitchen. I take a plastic bag and tie one of the handles around the handle of one of the drawers to throw scraps, etc. in.

As a hint though, I have been told not to keep any plastic bags that anything like meat in them as they might attract bugs. Yuck!!!

By TonyaG

Garbage Bowl liner: keep a large bowl on your kitchen counter lined with a plastic grocery bag. As you are preparing a meal, put garbage from preparing the meal in the bag. At the end of preparation, tie the bag up and dispose in the main garbage can.

By WandaJo

When cooking, making salads, peeling and preparing vegetables, I lay an open plastic grocery bag in my sink bowl to hold the waste. When I'm finished cleaning, peeling, cutting, etc. I then tie the bag, throw the whole thing in the trash. Makes for very easy clean-up.

By Gena Rae

Just yesterday, I slipped a plastic grocery bag over the dish I used when I peeled potatoes. Afterwards, I simply turned it inside out and all the mess was inside ready to tie and trash! I got lucky and found a plastic "device" that I got the entire purchase price refunded for! All it cost was the stamp! I use it in the bathroom by the toilet where it is small. I sometimes slip several inside each other at a time to store them handily & slip the handles over, it fits perfect because it can squoosh! Sometimes the bags get small tears that I mend with a piece of tape, then fold it down neatly and put in a bag I got for 10 cents and it hangs on the doorknob in the kitchen.

By melody_yesterday

Cat Litter And Pet Waste

We have an automated litter box with disposable plastic bins which hold waste.

The bins are quite expensive so we stretch the use time a little longer by lining the bins with plastic grocery bags. Each night as we go to empty the litter, we lift out the grocery bag and the waste bin stays clean. Inserting those grocery bags every day helps keep odors out of the plastic waste bin and it last much longer.

By wheelbarrow_1

I kill two birds with one stone. We have not solved two problems in decades: Dog waste problems in urban areas and grocery bag problems. My pooper scooper has a collapsible frame structure which springs open any grocery bag instantly, and it catches dog feces before it hits the ground. If all dog owners reuse grocery bags for 68 million dogs in the US, they might need more bags. Visit my website at: http://www.doggiepoopcatcher.com for more info.

By katz

Since I have 4 cats, scooping the cat pan is an "every time I walk past it" chore. I don't like to just scoop the clumping litter into a garbage pail, but since I have 77 steps down (and back up) to the garbage bins, I've found that scooping the litter into a plastic grocery bag and knotting it keeps it bundled tidily (and odorlessly) in the trash until I go down to the big bins. I line a small trash can with two more of the grocery bags, and after a few scooping sessions, those two can be tied up around the bundles and disposed of neatly and without odor.

By Kelley

Use Grocery Bags as Trash Liners

Almost all of us have an over-abundance of those plastic grocery sacks. I use them to fill my small wastebaskets throughout my house instead of buying the expensive trash bags. They work great! You can also recycle them in some places, but in our particular town, you can't so you might as well put them to good use!

By Robin Place a few of the plastic bags in the bottom of your waste basket BEFORE you use one to line your waste basket. As you have one filled, there will be another one to use!

By Sandy

As a teacher, I take all of mine to school with me to use in a small wastebasket by my desk. Since times are tight, the janitors are very thrifty with the garbage bags. I am just glad to get rid of them. Ask area teachers, they might need them for other uses.

By Tina

Picnic

Carry along on picnic for fast and easy clean-up. On the same picnic, carry along a couple of washcloths for clean-up after eating.

By Melody from White City, Oregon

Ideas From Mr. Thrifty

Use a plastic bag to separate your current sewing or knitting projects or other hobbies. It is right there to start anytime you need it.

Recycling your crushed tin cans and plastic bottles.

Cover your plants to protect them from a frost.

An emergency pair of plastic pants to put over your baby's diaper.

A signal that your vehicle has broken down along a highway.

A pair of disposable gloves for handling greasy and grimy projects.

A disposable wind sock to see which way the wind is blowing.

A campfire starter with a bag full of collected twigs.

A kitchen drawer liner.

Use at garage sales and flea markets even if you are just buying, take a few plastic bags along for your purchases.

By Mr. Thrifty

Recycle

I NEVER throw away a plastic grocery bag! I always take them to be recycled, they will never break down in the landfill, and I just can't do that.

Our veggie scraps either go down the garbage disposal or in our compost heap.

By susabelle

In my area, Walmart has a bin just inside their front door for drop-off of these bags, which they then recycle.

By Becki in Logansport, IN

Recycle Magazines

I use my plastic grocery bags to save my old magazines in. When the bag gets full, I just take it to the recycle center and dump the magazines in. If the bag doesn't get torn, I reuse it again!

By sjackie2000

Donate

I hang one on a hook in my pantry. As I accumulate more bags I stuff them into the hanging bag until it is full. I tie the two handles together and immediately toss the full bag into the trunk of my car. Then whenever I happen to go to the Salvation Army resale store, or am just driving by, I drop off however many bags have accumulated in my trunk. They are always out of bags and eagerly accept them! This way I don't ever have to make a special trip to recycle the bags. They are "with" me whenever I remember to donate them!

By Grandma Margie

I load newspapers in them to take to our local veterinarian, who uses the papers to line the animal cages.

By darween

Give old plastic grocery bags to your local animal clinic. Ours always appreciates having a bag to put medicines and food in that clients come in to get.

Bryan Do you sometimes accumulate too many plastic bags from the supermarket? Donate them to a place where children are being baby sat such as a daycare center. They are great to dispose soiled diapers in. By joesgirl You might check with your local library. Ours accepts plastic grocery bags for patrons who don't have a book bag with them. I've even used a few of them myself.

By jeangnome46

I save all of my grocery bags in a large plastic bag until I have it full. Then I take them to the local Mental Health Clinic, so that they can re-use them for the patients medications.

By Pat437

Crafts

Fold And Use In Crochet Projects

You can fold them accordion style from the side; cut 1-1/2" wide loops; hook the loops together to make a plastic yarn and crochet tote bags, rugs, etc. These last forever and use lots of bags.

By Sue L.

Use As Child's Smock

Split the bag from top to bottom mid-between the handles and use as an impromptu smock, putting arms through handles and close with a clip, tape or clothespin, for a messy pre-school project.

Cut And Crochet

I take them and cut them into 1 inch strips, slip knot them together, and crochet a bag out of them. It ends up being 2 ply and lasting a really long time. And most grocery stores; like Winco; will give a discount on your groceries if you bring your own bags; Winco's is 6 cents per bag you use. It may not be much of a saving but it does add up. Sally

By sally97128

Make Kites

I use plastic grocery bags to make kites for little one to fly. They love it and it gets them moving.

By Evelyn

Braid Strips Together

Braid strips of them for everything, they never wear out, it seems! Hold up or train plant tendrils, lash a soap bar end or two in a worn nylon knee high near your garden hose, make a new pet collar with the buckle from the old one attached, fasten loops of the braid to a beam or rafter in a shed from which implements and tools can be hung, summer chairs can be strapped. Braids have endless uses and are strong and free. The kids are great at making them, and the color combinations are intriguing! Good rainy day projects.

By Cate

Paint Clean Up

Use to store wet paint brush if you are not finished with painting or use to thrown paint brush away if it is no longer usable.

By Melody from White City, Oregon

RE: Reuse Plastic Grocery Bags

Mary, I put a plastic bag in my trash can in the bathroom anyway so why not recycle one that I have gotten somewhere else instead of buying them? (02/08/2007)

RE: Reuse Plastic Grocery Bags

I put one over my hand to hold when I am polishing my shoes. iI stick the bagged hand in the shoe to hold it and polish with the other hand. This way, I don't get shoe polish stains on my hands. when I'm done polishing, I just pull the bag inside out as I pull my hand out and toss in the waste can. (02/08/2007)

By Debbie in SC

RE: Reuse Plastic Grocery Bags

I use plastic coffee containers, I cut a hole in the top and fill it with my plastic bags. They pull out easy. And this way I am recycling 2 things at once. (02/08/2007)

By diana1117

RE: Reuse Plastic Grocery Bags

I highly recommend putting diapers in the plastic bags. I work at a doctors office and I empty the trash bags at night. Whew, to get a poopy or even just a wet diaper not in a bag. That is nasty. (02/08/2007)

By sandy63

RE: Reuse Plastic Grocery Bags

Because they vary in size and so do my waste baskets. I put several in the bottom of one then comes time to change them they're ready at hand. I also keep a couple in the car, stopping for my mail and various stores. Small items in 1 bag to bring in the house. (02/08/2007)

By wasfuzz

RE: Reuse Plastic Grocery Bags

Hi, I cut the bags in 1 inch by 3 inch strips and use them to hook a rug instead of yarn. They turn out really pretty and are very useful out on the deck. Totally washable with the hose. (02/08/2007)

By dameemag

RE: Reuse Plastic Grocery Bags

Crocheting and crafting with recycled plastic bags is fun and very rewarding. I started about a year ago crocheting using balls of plastic bag "yarn." I have enjoyed developing ideas and showing others how these bags can be put to good use. I decided to start a website where people could learn and share information about crafting with recycled bags.

http://www.myrecycledbags.com/ is an Eco-Friendly product website that is dedicated to recycling and crafting. Stop by and learn more about this wonderful crafting technique.

Sample using white grocery bags to create a cute shoulder bag below. (02/08/2007)

By Cindy

RE: Reuse Plastic Grocery Bags

There really isn't a happy medium when it comes to reusing grocery bags, paper is from trees cut down, if not recently (if recycled) than at some time and plastic fills up landfills. But being responsible about using them again, either of them is the best way to ensure as much recycling as possible. I use plastic bags for kitty litter, poopy diapers and trash bags for trash day collections. I use paper bags to fill up with Goodwill donations, library books and other things.

Additionally, I use boxes from brownie mix, cereal boxes etc. empty on the counter and fill with little slips of paper that can be recycled. A page from my daily calendar, empty sweet n low bags, the paper tab off of tea, the paper tab off the bulk bin label, anything that is paper, goes into the box. Once it's full, it goes into the recycling bin (then you don't have tons of little slips of paper flying everywhere). I recycle the plastic tabs off clothing that holds the price tags, the plastic tabs of breads and such etc. If you are conscious of what you recycle in one week, EVERYTHING YOU CAN RECYCLE, you'd be really amazed at how much you THREW away the week before! AS long as you are aware and active, you are making a difference. (02/09/2007)

By michawnpita

RE: Reuse Plastic Grocery Bags

I put a number of Bags in the bottom of my paper shredder. Then Pull one up and over the top. Every couple of days just pull the full one out and toss. (02/10/2007)

By Judy

RE: Reuse Plastic Grocery Bags

I donated huge bag of these to a sweet elderly couple that sell their excess garden veggies at a roadside stand. (03/01/2007)

By Zuni

RE: Reuse Plastic Grocery Bags

http://www.homesteadweaver.com/plasticbagrugs.htm (09/01/2007)

By krindi

RE: Reuse Plastic Grocery Bags

Plastic bags make a great pillow stuffing. I am in the process of designing a line of thrown pillows made from reused plastic bags. (01/16/2008)

By zapoldesigns.etsy.com

RE: Reuse Plastic Grocery Bags

They work in an 8 gallon trash can which is my kitchen size. I haven't purchased a GLAD kitchen garbage bag in years! (09/06/2008)

By Jeff

RE: Reuse Plastic Grocery Bags

Instead of lunch boxes, my kids take their meals in wall mart bags. Apparently, so do many other kids. I don't have to worry about missing lunchboxes or buying new ones either. (11/05/2008)

By Talia