Although brown paper bags are used to hold your items in some groceries, often, plastic bags are used instead since they’re easier to hold and they don’t easily tear. The significant disadvantage of plastic bags over paper bags is that plastic is not easily biodegradable. Although it is true that there are biodegradable plastics nowadays, they are still no match to the biodegradability of paper bags. However, the durability of plastic bags is exactly what makes them great for reusing and repurposing. They can be used to serve a couple of other purposes before you even have to permanently throw them away. By doing so, you can help reduce the trash that is constantly building up on earth. Here are eleven ways to reuse plastic grocery bags to help you get started.
- Packaging material
If you’re mailing or moving fragile items, you can use bunched up grocery bags as cheap packaging material. This way, you don’t have to spend money on Styrofoam peanuts.
- Pack dirty clothes
Going on a vacation? Take one or two plastic grocery bags with you for your dirty clothes. This way, you can separate your clean clothes from the dirty ones as you pack your bags again before heading home.
- Showerhead cleaner
Pour some distilled white vinegar in a small grocery bag then tie it around the showerhead to remove any soap scum and mildew. Leave the showerhead soaked in the vinegar for 15-20 minutes before removing. Let the shower run for a few minutes before using.
- Fruit catcher
If you have a fruit tree in your yard, you can use a plastic grocery bag as a preventive measure to keep the fruit from falling off or getting damaged. Put a plastic bag around the ripe fruits then tie it onto the branch so it can catch the fruit if it falls off and to keep birds and pests away.
- Dust protection
You can keep items you don’t often or you no longer use, such as old stuff toys or shoes, from collecting dust by first placing them inside a plastic bag. You can then store it in the attic or at the back of your closet.
- Garbage bin liner
Lining your garbage bin with a plastic grocery bag keeps it from getting all slimy and gross from all the trash you throw in it. Once it’s full, all you have to do is tie up the grocery bag and throw it out. This saves you time from washing the bin every week.
- Shoe protector
Before heading out in the snow or somewhere wet or muddy, place grocery bags over your shoes to keep them from getting dirty. Tie the grocery bag around your ankles to secure it in place.
- Plant protector
Frost takes a hard toll on many types of plants. If you’re growing fragile plants, wrap them with a plastic bag overnight to protect them from frost then remove the bag in the morning.
- Protect items from water bottle condensation
Cold water bottles create so much condensation as it warms up that it can damage your items when you stick it in your purse or backpack immediately. Wrap cold water bottles with plastic grocery bags so that the condensation won’t make your items wet.
- Crunchy snacks and rice dispenser
Grocery bags make nifty dispensers that can keep your cereals and snacks crunchy. Start by cutting off the top part of a water bottle where the cover is and then unscrew the lid. Transfer crunchy snacks, cereals, and rice into a plastic bag then place the opening of the bag inside the unscrewed mouth of the lid. Open up the bag and spread it out over the mouth of the lid then screw the lid back on.
- Paint tray liner
Before you start painting, line the paint tray with a plastic grocery bag then just pour the paint over the plastic. This method provides easy clean-up since all you have to do is remove the bag and throw it away once you finish painting.
