Awesome Alterntaive Use: Grocery Bags

Don't feel too guilty about using plastic bags--there are a million things you can do with them.

I collect them; I admit. They are EVERYWHERE. For the last 15 years, I’ve only used them for three things: A) bathroom trash liners (beats buying mini trash bags!), b) swimwear/wet clothes bags for returning from the beach/pool/otherplace that involves water or c) a bowl liner for peels, cores, and other rejected aspects of produce.

But then I found this brilliant list of other ways to use these little gems… from Planetgreen.com. Click on the link to get the first six…the rest are below.

1. Use bags to wrap or cover items stored in the basement or garage to prevent dust build-up. (Planet Green)
2. Wrap one around each shoe to keep your entryway mud-free when coming inside on rainy days. (Real Simple)
3. Wrap them around paintbrushes, if you stop mid-project, to prevent the paint from drying out. (Real Simple)
4. Put them in the bottom of paint trays to make cleaning up a breeze (Rustic Girls)
5. Put them underneath trays to catch drips. (Trucker Photo)
6. Spraypainting a small item? Put it in a plastic bag to corral the spray. (Reader’s Digest)
7. Keep ceiling fans dust—and paint-free by sliding bags over the blades while cleaning or redecorating. (Reader’s Digest)
8. Ball up bags and stuff them into purses to help them keep their shape in the off-season. (Planet Green)
9. Use them in place of bubble wrap or newspaper when moving. (Planet Green)
10. Line small bedroom and bathroom trashcans and (16) recycling baskets for easier cleanup. (Planet Green)
11. Lay them in the bottoms of cat boxes to simplify litter-changing. (Thrifty Fun)
12. Sew a fabric tube and stuff it with bags—then keep it next to exterior doors to stop drafts. (Rustic Girls)
13. Snow in the forecast? Tie bags around your rearview mirrors and windshield wipers for less scraping in the morning. (Real Simple)
14. Protect casts on broken bones from water in the (20)shower or at the (21)beach by wrapping and tying a bag around the plaster. (The Frugal Life)
15. Spread one in a cracked vase to prevent leaks. (Reader’s Digest)
16. Poke small holes in one and hang it in the shower to drain kids’ toys in between bath times. (Reader’s Digest)
17. Fight dry skin by applying lotion to hands, and then wrapping in bags to hold in the moisture. (Reader’s Digest)
18. Potty training? Line the mattress with bags to save time after unexpected accidents. (Reader’s Digest)
19. Keep manuals for your lawnmower, weedwhacker, and snowblower handy by storing them in a plastic bag that hangs in the garage. (Reader’s Digest)
20. Keep your feet dry in bad weather by wearing bags on your feet between your socks and boots. (Associated Content)
21. Use bags to keep holiday decorations organized (and free of dust) in the off-season. (The Frugal Life)

Garden

1. Stuff one in the bottom of a plant pot to fill up space between the bottom and the dirt (Real Simple)
2. Tie them around your knees to protect pants when gardening. (Real Simple)
3. Keep the fruits and vegetables in your garden safe from predators overnight by lightly draping bags over the buds. (Reader’s Digest)
4. Cut off the bottom corner at an angle, pinch it closed and fill with water; then let go and use the bag as a watering can. (Associated Content)
5. Tie them around spring buds to protect them from early-season frost. (Thrifty Fun)
6. Poke few holes in the bottom for drainage; then fill with water and greenery and use as a hanging planter. (Bella Online)

Kitchen

1. Slip a small bag under the lids of jars for a leak-proof seal. (Trucker Photo)
2. Wear bags as gloves to keep your hands clean when touching raw meat. (Real Simple)
3. Lay one on the counter to collect vegetable peelings instead of aiming for the trash can. (Real Simple)
4. Use a clear bag to protect the pages of a cookbook while make splatter-prone food. (Real Simple)
5. Use clean bags instead of plastic wrap to cover leftovers in the fridge. (Planet Green)
6. Wrap fresh bread in plastic bags to keep it fresh—just like the pros. (Rustic Girls)
7. Trade disposable paper bags for reusable plastic bags when packing on-the-go lunches. (Rustic Girls)
8. Use a clean plastic bag to roll out dough on the counter and minimize cleanup. (Rustic Girls)
9. For foods that don’t need airtight containers, use plastic bags in place of Ziplocs. (New York Times)
10. Make perfectly-iced cupcakes by snipping off the corner of a bag and using it as a pastry tool. (Instructables)
11. Cut them into makeshift bibs or (46) aprons while baking with little ones. (Reader’s Digest)
12. Spread bags under a high chair to catch wayward spaghetti or applesauce. (Reader’s Digest)
13. Bypass the pre-crushed graham crackers in the baking aisle; instead, put whole crackers in a bag and crush them yourself. (Reader’s Digest)
14. In a pinch, use a bag as a mixing bowl for dry ingredients—just place them in the bag and shake to mix. (Reader’s Digest)
15. Instead of buying a salad spinner, put wet lettuce in a plastic bag with a paper towel and spin it around to dry it. (Reader’s Digest)
16. Defrost meat in a bag lined with paper towels to catch condensation and any leaking juices. (Better Budgeting)

Kids

1. Cut bags apart to use as table covers during painting sessions with the kids. (Planet Green)
2. Keep a few in the diaper bag to bring home dirty diapers if on-site trash cans aren’t available. (Thrify Fun)
3. Tie a string to the handles of the bag, then tie the other end of the string around an action figure’s arms, and voila: a parachute. (Real Simple)
4. Take advantage of spring breezes by turning a bag into a kite. (Lifehacker)
5. If you have small kids in the house—or big bags you’re looking to use up—turn them into makeshift sleds on snowy days. (Reader’s Digest)
6. Use them to contain toys with lots of small parts—like puzzles or snap-together blocks—inside the box. (Better Budgeting)

Out and About

1. Wrap your shampoo, conditioner, and sunscreen in bags to prevent leaks while traveling. (Planet Green)
2. Keep some in your beach bag to bring home wet bathing suits and towels (Planet Green)
3. Separate gym sneakers from the rest of your gear by using a plastic bag in your duffel. (Planet Green)
4. Separate dirty clothes from clean when traveling (Trucker Photo) and when packing to avoid wrinkles. (Lifehacker)
5. Put a few snacks in one and tie it to your belt loops while hiking. (Planet Green)
6. Carry a few while walking your dog to clean up after him. (Planet Green)
7. Keep one in your bag to use as an emergency rain hat during sudden downpours. (Real Simple)
8. Keep one in your purse to stop a wet umbrella from ruining the rest of your goods. (Real Simple)
9. Store some in your car for emergency trash bags. (Planet Green)
10. Wrap cold water bottles and leftovers in plastic bags in your backpack to contain condensation and stop leaks. (Better Budgeting)

Crafts

This dress was knit 100% out of used grocery bags.

1. Using finger crochet, turn bags into a clothesline. (BellaOnline)
2. Turn bags into a jumprope. (BellaOnline)
3. Find some old fabric and make a basic pillow—stuffed with plastic bags—to use as a pet bed. (Rustic Girls)
4. Or, if the fabric is thick enough, use old fabric as throw pillows. (Rustic Girls)
5. Feeling super crafty? Reheat them and form into furniture (TreeHugger)
6. Drape one over a wire frame for a one-of-a-kind lamp. (Green Upgrader)
7. Melt them down and rework them into necklaces. (TreeHugger)
8. Twist them into a necklace (Instructables)
9. Turn them into a bracelet. (Instructables)
10. Make them into yarn. (Craftzine)
11. Then use that yarn to crochet throw rugs (Planet Green)
12. Or use yarn to create tote bags. (TreeHugger)
13. Or knit the yarn into waterproof cushion covers (TreeHugger), (83)a reusable tote bag (Needepointers), or (84) a handbag (Needlepointers).
14. Fuse bags into fabric (Etsy) to make a dress (TreeHugger), (86) purse (TreeHugger), (87) tote (Etsy), (88) cosmetics pouch (Craftster), (89) raincoat (Etsy), (90) headband (Craftster)or (91) wallet (Lifehacker).
15. Use solid color bags as wrapping paper. (Real Simple)
16. Melt them down into modern, geometric (93) necklaces and (94) pins. (TreeHugger)

During the Holidays

1. Wrap them into a holiday wreath. (The Frugal Life)
2. Exchange them for straw in Halloween scarecrows. (Rustic Girls)
3. Use them for kid-proof holiday crafts, like ghosts (Family Crafts) and pumpkins (Family Crafts).
4. Decorate them with paint or stickers and use to give out plates of cookies at the holidays. (Needlepointers)
5. Use brightly-colored versions to make faux flowers. (Country Home)