How to Repurpose Plastic Grocery Bags

Like millions shoppers, you may have plastic bag somewhere in your house that is stuffed with seemingly millions more plastic bags. If your wad of plastic grocery and shopping bags is reaching critical mass and you hate to just through them out, here are some craft ideas and ways to repurpose them.

(1) Use plastic grocery bags as trash bags for waste baskets.

(2) Use the plastic bags as packing material when you ship items. Plastic bags make a great waterproof cover, and if you ball them up, they work just like packing peanuts and newspaper.

(3) Repair the stuffing in your furniture and car using balled up plastic bags. If your upholshered items have lost some cushioning, plastic grocery bags can fix it in a pinch.

(4) Cut the bags into long strips about 2 inches wide by cuting a spiral around the bag. Then, twist and braid the strips to make rope. Use the rope as a clothesline, to hang potted plants, or weave several ropes to create a belt.

(5) Cut plastic bags into flat rectangles, and sew these rectangles to make a waterproof lining. Plastic inner lining can be used to make mattress and couch covers, or warm winter gear like gloves and mittens.