Brainstorms > RecyclingJuly 20, 2010

Uses for Newspaper Plastic Bags

If you get a daily newspaper delivered to you in long, narrow plastic bags, you can recycle them in a number of ways. They are great for holding shoes when traveling, so that the clothing in your suitcase doesn't get dirty. Each bag can hold one shoe or a pair of smaller footwear, such as flip flops.

I also store several of these bags in a large used plastic cup with a lid (think recycled fast food soda cup that you have washed) and that sits in my car in the cup holder - they are great to use as small trash bags. I also store my kitty litter scoop in one, so that anything stuck to the scoop ends up in the bag and not in the bottom of my cabinet.

By ginnywest from Murrells Inlet, SC

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By
11/20/2011

I use newspaper bags for my kitchen scrap. Onion peel, carrot tips etc. gets tied up and tossed in one easy go.

By
07/15/2011

I keep mine in an empty tissue box by my kitchen sink. When I take meat out of it's package, I put the empty meat packaging in the bags and tie the tops. I can then throw them out and it doesn't stink!

By
07/15/2011

I stuff a bunch of them in an old prescription bottle and put them in my car or purse to put dirty diapers in when we are out and not near a trashcan.

Zig

By
07/15/2011

I freeze half-filled water bottles to use when I'm out. Before going out, I fill the bottle with cold water and put the bottle into a newspaper baggie. Keeps my purse and whatever else I'm carrying dry.

By
07/15/2011

If I'm not returning them to the paper carrier, I cut them up like the other plastic bags and use them as "plarn" to crochet with. Made a really good tote bag for my Mom's walker with it!

By
07/15/2011

Never put food in a plastic bag that is not intended for food. You may be passing chemicles onto your food. Plastic that is intended for food is processed differently than other plastic.

By
07/15/2011

Some great ideas here. I keep a few in the car to slide over wet umbrellas. I carry one inside any place I visit. I also quickly slide the wet umbrella into a bag as soon as I get back to the car.

By
07/23/2010

Its_Me, you took the words right out of my mouth... or rather, fingers, lol! Hubby delivered newspapers for 18 months to help supplement our Social Security. Those little baggies could get awfully expensive!

By
07/21/2010

The best way to recycle these bags is to return them to your paper carrier, and they will use them again to keep your paper dry! Just leave them where your paper is left!

By
07/21/2010

I use them for dog poop bags - as long as they have no holes! The larger ones I use to share produce such as carrots with their tops and rhubarb. I also bring them camping to put dirty footwear in during travel and for in suitcases.

By
07/20/2010

I use 2 canes to walk and that makes it hard to carry things. I found using the newspaper plastic sleeves to carry pop or covered coffee just the thing as they stay upright and the holes at the top are just right for hooking over cane.

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(Archived Jul 20, 2010)Uses for Newspaper Plastic Bags

Tip: Uses for Newspaper Plastic Bags

You know those bags that your newspaper comes in? Here are some tips for other uses:

Put over your hand and up your arm to use as a glove for planting or picking up something dirty. You can take it off inside out and throw away what you pick up.

Use to put a wet umbrella in before putting it in your briefcase or car.

Double bag loaves of bread before putting them in the freezer.

Use 2 (one on each end) to cover rolls of wrapping paper or rolled up posters.
- - -
Do you have any more ideas?

Feedback:

RE: Using Newspaper Plastic Bags

Cut into strips and crochet into floor mats to use in kitchen. Place flour inside and use to bread chicken, chops or fish before cooking. - (01/29/2002)

By April

RE: Using Newspaper Plastic Bags

Use them to tie up dirty diapers. sort of my own "diaper genie" put in dirty diaper and knot off the bag. Still have room for 2-3 more diapers. (which I'm sure will change as my daughter is only a newborn!!) (01/29/2002)

By TurtleNurs

RE: Using Newspaper Plastic Bags

Put newspaper plastic bags on blades of ceiling fans to keep dust off when not in use. (01/30/2002)

By momma68

RE: Using Newspaper Plastic Bags

I use them daily to pick up dog poop in my yard after my mastiff goes outside. One is a glove, one is a deposit sack, when done push the glove one (right hand) inside the sack, knot the top and toss in the dumpster. Clean yard and not so disgusting as it used to be. - Judy in Memphis (01/31/2002)

RE: Using Newspaper Plastic Bags

We have colds. We're carrying them around and putting used tissues in them. Fill up, tie knot in end and toss in trash. Also if you stuff one bag full of more bags and knot end, it makes a good knee rest. - Linne Dodds (02/03/2002)

RE: Using Newspaper Plastic Bags

I got a phone call on the way to the bathroom. I didn't get to the phone in time so I took the cordless phone with me and thought once again about making some sort of tote for it when what do I see but a Newspaper Bag. Voila! I put the phone in the bag, squeezed most of the air out and gently tied it shut. Then just for the sake of trying, I dialed the time. The signal was so much clearer, it almost hurt my ear. Shortly after that I got my Mom who has a hearing loss to try the same call. She loved it. I also thought it would be a good idea if someone wanted to take their phone outside on a stormy night like we're having tonight. The only thing is you have to take off the bag when you put the phone back on the base unit or it won't make contact to recharge. I don't know if it would be O.K. for cell phones or not but might be worth a try. (02/07/2002)

By Linne

Small Garbage Bag

Living alone, I don't generate very much "wet" garbage and with no disposal in-sink, I use the bags that newspapers are delivered in. Since I get the paper daily, I always have a "free" bag to just toss! By Gayle (04/26/2004)

By ThriftyFun

Pack Shoes in Newspaper Bags

The plastic bags that your newspaper are delivered in make great holders for shoes when you pack your suitcase! By Becki in Logansport, Indiana (05/11/2004)

By ThriftyFun

RE: Using Newspaper Plastic Bags

Some charities use them to wrap diapers to give to needy mothers. One in particular I know of is through the United Methodist Church. Check with your church to see if there are any in your area. (11/16/2004)

By calnorth

Newspaper Bags For Shoes

When it rains, our paperboy delivers the newspaper in a plastic bag. I save these bags for vacation time, they are perfect to pack a pair of shoes in! By Becki in Indiana (11/28/2004)

By ThriftyFun

RE: Using Newspaper Plastic Bags

I use theSsunday newspaper bags to slip over my computer keyboard. I duct tape it together on the back and voila! I have a nice cover to keep my keyboard free of dust (and cat fur). (11/29/2004)

By Thursday_Next

Using Plastic Paper Sleeve

Use the plastic sleeve that comes on your Sunday newspaper as a cover for your computer keyboard. Just slip it on and tape up the back. By Anna (12/01/2004)

By ThriftyFun

RE: Using Newspaper Plastic Bags

Plastic bags, coffee or thin drinking staws and some string can be used for kite making (02/19/2005)

By Autumn

Plastic Newspaper Bags

Recycling plastic bags your newspaper is delivered in.

Keep a few in the car to hold your wet umbrella.

Take to the beach or pool and put wet bathing suits or watershoes in after you change.

Use to pick up or scoop anything you do not want to touch with bare hands.. Simply slip your hand in bag, grab whatever it may be, pull your arm back through and off your hand, then tie the bag and toss away! By michelle h (09/16/2005)

By ThriftyFun

RE: Uses for Newspaper Plastic Bags

I sew quite a lot. After cutting out the tissue pattern pieces;they no longer fit into the original envelope. I slip the pieces and the original envelope into the plastic "sleeve" (with the picture of the pattern showing of course). The pieces are easy to take out when needed. The plastic covers on subscription magazines can be removed carefully by slitting across at one end and used in the same way. (09/17/2005)

By Miranda

RE: Uses for Newspaper Plastic Bags

We use newspaper bags when walking our dog.When it come time to clean up a deposit. Slip your hand inside, gather the doo and slide the bag over your hand and inside out. If you make your know low enough, and leave the opening in the knot, you are left with a nice loop to carry the toxic material to the nearest refuse container. Just be sure there are no holes in the bottom (if there are, just tie a small knot) (09/18/2005)

By Degerta Sue

RE: Uses for Newspaper Plastic Bags

When I was receiving the daily paper (now only Sunday) I would save the daily bags till I had a bag full and then leave them out for the paper carrier and he would reuse them. Of course, I made this arrangement with him before hand. (09/19/2005)

By GraNita

RE: Uses for Newspaper Plastic Bags

Wrap metal clothes hangers with plastic bags, tape down at each end. It's good for hanging damp shirts on and does leave that sharp edge in the shoulders. (09/19/2005)

By Stone2005

RE: Uses for Newspaper Plastic Bags

I use clumping litter in my cats' litterbox. I scoop it daily into the newspaper bags. (09/22/2005)

By katznbooks

RE: Uses for Newspaper Plastic Bags

I have a daycare in my home and I use the weekday bags for dog walks and sending artwork home on rainy days and the larger ones for dirty diapers, along with all of the other grocery bags I can get my hands on. (02/23/2006)

By suzi_homemaker01

RE: Uses for Newspaper Plastic Bags

I really like the idea of giving them back to your carrier. My wife delivers papers 7 days a week. She has to buy the bags and rubber bands from the paper. This would help a lot of carriers out of another monthly expense. (08/26/2007)

By d. stadnik

RE: Uses for Newspaper Plastic Bags

I am a painter. If I am working on a job that takes more than 1 day and is all the same color paint, I just put my roller in it and twist it tight so all the air is out. No need to clean up roller. The next day the paint is still wet on the roller just like I left it. Also a sandwich baggy from lunch works great to keep my brush in. :) (01/19/2009)

By Mike

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