Today I used the duraweave bag from the Purina Cat Chow to make a recycled organizer. I love reusing things!
I made another project from some recycled bags. These came from empty bird seed bags that a friend gave me. They are colorful and the pretty birds made them nice and bright. In fact, I had so much paper, that I had to make two. Helped free up some space in my closet.We usually empty 2 large bags a week that I recycle into trashcan liners. That is a savings of 104 trash bags a year, which amounts to several dollars. (In my area, at the store, a bag of 20 trash bags is $4.98).
I save smaller bags for the bedroom and kitchen wastebaskets.
By mom-from-missouri from NW MO
By hoptownracer1 from USA
Free material to craft with is almost anywhere you look,if you look intently enough! We have a big dog and we get these empty bags all of the time.
I decided to cut one to use in crochet. It was hard work. It's not as quick and easy to cut as a grocery sack into plarn. And it's even harder to crochet! I wished after starting that I would have woven it on my loom instead.
It is part paper (on top) and part "unknown material" underneath, which lines the bag. After it's all cut (there will be a little waste), roll it in a ball until you're ready to begin. There are other ways to store it, but this is my personal favorite.
Depending on the width it's cut, determine what hook size you will use. Refer to sites such as YouTube or others to learn to crochet.
My bag was cut into one continual strip,about an inch wide. I wish I had cut it a little more narrow. It is quite strong and was very tiring to my hands. I can add to this, or I can leave it at this size and slip it under a potted plant out on the porch. I could continue with it and make a bag.
No matter what becomes of this item, it has been altered, reused, recycled, up-cycled and given a new life and a second chance!
By alibeth05 from Michigan City, IN
Are the pet food totes machine washable? Thanks.
By Debbie from OH
By angelwingsf38
03/14/2011
You can also sew pockets into them. I read somewhere where they took them and made pockets in different sizes and hung them on the wall for storage. I love your idea a lot. We women can always use a new bag.
What are some uses for cat and dog pet food bags? I used some pet food and litter bags this week as weed blocking plastic. I just pulled the bulk of the weeds, laid down the bags (with the bottoms cut out and opened) and covered with mulch.
Do you have any other ideas for using pet food bags?
Hardiness Zone: 6b
By C from USA
By hoptownracer1
04/27/2010
Can't wait to use the pet food bags for putting used litter in! Great idea! I have some of the plastic style bags that are made of Duraweave. I love coming up with ways to use them; such as making bags, organizers etc, as they are so indestructible. The bird food bags are really pretty also and make gorgeous bags and items.
What can I do with the empty dry dog food bags?
By Joy from FL
By fab4mom
12/14/2011
Sew several bags together to make a "sheet" to go under a dog's bed clothes. Often animals lay on blankets that can get wet from the ground, etc. Just put this under the blankets and keep them dry.
How do you make a purse out of a dog food bag?
Tammy from Crescent Springs, KY
By Sam (Guest Post)
05/27/2008
I found another crafty site that gives somewhat directions.
"http://www.allfreecrafts.com/recycling-crafts/dog-bag-tote.shtml"
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| Recycled Dog Food Bag Tote |
I recycled this dog food bag into a tote bag. I sewed the sides and boxed the bottom then I attached a band around the top and added straps. I can use it for groceries, vegetables, or grass clippings.
By Patty from Turbotville, PA
By LITTLE SUZY
FINALLY a craft idea that isn't wasting time and money! For a "thrifty" site, there's a ton of info on buying junk to create cutsie junk that you'll have to discard quickly.
By NY MOM
It could also be used for a first layer under piddle pads for puppies. Just some thoughts, sure some better ones will occur to me when I've posted this! ;-)
While I value all the things on this website and realize that different things are needed by different people at different times, for me, I tend to agree with the other poster who was glad to see something useful made from something free! Those are what appeal to me the most also.
By tinkluvspan
By RobinLynn
By Deeli
By amberina
By Osa
By Elaine
By Susan
By teely68
By Bonnie.
What are good uses for the bags that dog food comes in?
By ThriftyFun
By debbie e
By Wynd
By Mr. Thrifty
By Susan from Hamilton
By acope
By michelle h
By badwater
When you clean out your refrigerator you could use them, because they're thick and hold liquids and odors. They're easy to staple shut to keep items inside securely. They make great bags into which to toss the stuff from the kitty litter box or pet accident clean up anywhere in the house.
They're great for de-cluttering little stuff you'd rather a 'dumpster diver' didn't touch.
Although noisy, they'd be great use underneath a sick patient or child growing up, as a barrier between bed and person to keep the mattress dry. (05/06/2005)
By gator10tx
By BenjiTheKid
By captarlo
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*I used a size 16 needle on my sewing machine. Please use a large machine or hand sewing needle, as a small needle could break possibly ruining your sewing machine or causing injury.
First you sew the all the side pieces together. Lay right sides together (printed side) and sew a straight stitch down the bag. Do this for all four sides; until all of the sides of the bag are sewn together. When finished with these steps, you will have a bag body, minus the bottom, that is inside-out.
Next pin right sides together of your bottom piece to all four sides at the bottom of the bag. When completed you will have the entire body of the bag, inside-out.
Now, turn your back right-side out. Hem a seam along the top of the bag, turning the top under just an inch or so. Then you will need to push the outer edges together on each edge of the bag, pinning in place.
Stitch reinforcement stitches down each side of the bag and each edge of the bottom. This reinforces the bag and causes it to be able to stand up. Next take one strap piece, fold one edge of the piece over just about a third, stitch in place.
Then fold the other side over and let the edges meet in the middle and fold once more so that the one edge peeks out just a little to make a nice strap. Pin and stitch into place. Sew the other strap.
Then just sew your straps onto your bag, by placing them where you want your straps to be located. To make your straps very secure, you can sew them in a downward position, and then sew them in the upward position using a box shape and an X shape to make them extremely sturdy.
Note: This probably isn't necessary, unless you intend to carry very heavy items, and it is really difficult to sew through that many layers of the Duraweave. It would probably break any sewing machine needle.
When you are done, you have a nice bag for scrapbook paper, frozen goods at the grocery, art supplies, coloring books, etc.
Note: Please do not give this bag to small children or children under 3 (or allow them to play with this bag), as the handles are a hazard to small children
By hoptownracer1 from KY
I buy dog food in 25-40 lb bags. When they are empty I use them as garbage sacks. I also reuse the small plastic grocery bags to line small trash cans around the house.
Another tip is to keep gallon milk jugs and antifreeze containers to put used motor oil, transmission fluid and antifreeze in for recycling.
By lambom from Nampa, ID
When buying groceries, ask for paper bags, not plastic. Line your kitchen trash bin with a liner and put a paper bag inside. When it gets full or starts to smell, take out the paper bag and put it in a 33 gallon trash can with a liner; replace the paper bag. You may use the same liner for weeks or even months. Another hint: place a dryer sheet between the liner and the paper bag, don't waste your money on 'odor control' liners.
Depending on your family size or the volume of garbage, you may only need to take the 33 gallon bag out every 2 weeks or a month. Not only does this save you money, it saves time taking our your garbage and it's better for the environment! (01/23/2010)
By mare1909
By susanmajp
Plastic grocery bags are laying in our streets, hanging from our trees, floating in our oceans, buried in our dirt and they line the bottoms and shores of lakes and streams. Animals eat them and die. We will pay dearly for the "convenience" of using plastics. I'm on an Environmental Commission and planning our 20th annual Earth Day event. Our theme this year is "Back to Basics". Give that some thought. what can you do to help stop this:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/06/08/ocean.trash.report/index.html#cnnSTCOther1 (01/31/2010)
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Do you have a tip, recipe or craft to share?
Uses for Dog Food Bags