While I always try to keep a supply of canvas bags in the car for shopping trips, there have been more times than I care to admit in which I have forgotten them at home or even in the car! When this happens, I take larger items out to the car without bags, such as the milk, and request paper bags for smaller items.
Of course paper bags should be recycled, but first there are so many things that can be done with them to get the most life out of these bags as possible. If you can use a paper bag several times before you recycle it, then you’ve extended that use and have hopefully prevented more trees from being felled or at least preserved some energy that would have been used in the manufacture and shipping of the items that the paper bags replace.
Here are just some ideas for reusing paper bags.
Did you know that you could turn your paper bags into an interesting table or even a floor? It is very true. Read this: Make A Designer Table from Paper Bags!
Open up the paper bag until you have a flat sheet of paper. This paper can be used for all sorts of things, from children’s artwork or wrapping small packages and gifts. As a member of paperbackswap, I use my extra paper bags to wrap the books I have for trade. I also can use the paper as scrap paper for notes and grocery lists. One bag can last a very long time.
Reuse the paper bags in the store. While this may seem obvious, how many people actually do this? Reuse that bag until it starts to wear out for good.
Another way I use paper bags is to store items for donation or for freecycle. I know that the folks on freecycle care about the environment, so anything I give away will be appreciated, including the bag that it came in. Paper bags are great for gsthering folded clothing.
When I donate items to the local thrift store, I ask if they would either please recycle the bag or give it back to me right then and there. Usually it is easiest for the, to dump my stuff in a bin and hand the bag back again to be reused.
What is your favorite way to reuse paper bags?
You can read more blog posts by Mary Ann Romans here!