11 Ways to Reuse Plastic Grocery Bags

Something that happens to me, more often than I care to admit, is that realize I’ve left all my reusable bags in my car while I’m standing in the line at the grocery store waiting to check out.

Oh so useful, right?

If you ever find yourself in this situation you could definitely make a mad dash to the car to get the bags. However, if you don’t feel like working up a sweat then just checkout as normal and get the plastic grocery bags.

Plastic grocery bags????

Worldwatch Institute estimates that Americans throw away over 100 billion plastic bags a year…so I must be crazy for suggesting this, right?

Maybe I am, but why can’t those plastic bags be reused? Newsflash, they can.

 

That’s right, those plastic bags can be used for other things other than carrying groceries, crazy eh?

If you chose to opt out of the “run to car for the bags” option than here’s a plethora of ideas for reusing those plastic bags:

• Pet cleanup – Out on a walk with your pup and they choose to relieve themselves, use a plastic bag to clean it up.
• Freshness – Wrap bread in bags to keep it fresh or wrap fruit and keep the fruit flies away.
• Packaging – The bags can be used as a substitute for the styrofoam packing “peanuts”
• Trash – Use the bags for trash in small trash cans, such as in the bathroom or out on camping trips.
• Meals – Perfect for carrying your breakfast, lunch, or dinner to work, school, etc.
• Kitchen cleanup – Line your cutting board with a bag, makes for easy, quick cleanup.
• Nonstick substitute – Perfect for use as a nonstick surface for rolling out dough, etc.
• Rope substitute – Twist the bag tightly and use as a rope or zip tie.
• Paint Tray liner – Put a bag in the paint tray as a liner to pour paint in and save time on cleanup.
• Travel – Put toiletry bag in a plastic bag when travelling to prevent spillage on the rest of your suitcase.
• Napkin or Sock Holder – You can twist and braid the bags in creative patterns and use them to hold rolled up napkins or socks (as pictured above).

 

With these ideas in mind (so long as you put them into practice) you can relieve yourself of the guilt that comes when you forget those reusable bags at the grocery store. If you’re like me you might like to keep all your bags in one place and ready for use. If so consider picking up a plastic bag holder.

Although it may seem that having your groceries placed in the plastic bags at the store just supports the continued production and use of them, I challenge you to remember that we live in the real world…and a busy one at that.

I think it’s better to take a little step, reusing the plastic bags, than none at all. In the end, even the smallest step matters.

For more ideas on how to reuse plastic bags, check out RusticGirls.com.

What are some other ways that you have found to reuse plastic bags?

Photo: OhMyStinkinHeck