Ten Ways to Re-Use and Re-cycle Plastic Bags

Guest Author - Lili Pintea-Reed

People write me with questions about all sorts of things and one was for ways to make use of their ever growing pile of plastic grocery bags. Here are some ideas to get you started.

TEN WAYS TO RECYCLE PLASTIC BAGS

1) Re-Use as a grocery bag. Simply place a few in your purse or pocket before shopping.

2) Re-Use as packing material. Wad the bags up and pack around the materials to be packed.

3) Re-Use them as trash bags. They are perfect to line small household waste baskets. You can use the handles to tie them shut when they full.

4) Cut into strips to make into a washable placemat or rug. (See pattern below)

5) Storage bags. Simply store and hang items you need to put away.

6) Make Into rope by Finger Crocheting. You can use this rope for a clothes line, or a child's jump rope.

7) Hanging Planter. There are expensive plastic bags on the market which are just plastic with some holes speared in them. You can hang the plant anywhere. Just use two or three plastic bags together for strength and then fill with dirt and plants. Water regularly.

8) Emergency Rain hats. Tie one over your coif for rain protection.

9) Emergency Diaper (nappy) cover. In a pinch a plastic grocery or bread bag makes a nice emergency disposable cover!

10) Washable Shelf Liners. Cut and tack for a nice washable shelf liner.

Be creative!! Think outside the box! I hope this inspires you to re-use and recycle other common household items!

Plastic Bag Crochet Rug

The rug is thick enough to catch the mud, and can be rinsed off with the hose and left to dry on the porch --thus keeping the mud outside the house!!

MATERIALS:
12 ounces of plastic grocery bags
J size Crochet hook
Scissors

DIRECTIONS:
Cut the plastic grocery bags by spiraling the cut around the bag into one continuous strip. I made mine 4 inched wide as I cut. This produces a thick sturdy rug.

Chain 50.

Chain one and turn. Work in double crochet along the side of the chain. Make three stitches in the end stitch and work down the other side of the chain. Make three stitches in the other end, and then begin to work around the rug in a circle. At each end, increase three stitches to make the turn. Work in this manner until you have made six rounds --or thickness desired. Break off the final round and pull through to secure. Feed end the end stitch into body of rug for a nice finish.

There you have it! A great washable boot rug!

You can also use this technique to make place mats and more.

(NOTE: This pattern orginally appeared at my Fiber Art site at Suite101.com
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/fiber_arts/108403)

Plastic Bag Strip Sandals

This is a modern version of an old Amerind pattern;
one J crochet hook
Plastic Grocery bags or bread bags cut into strips 2&1/2 inches wide

Cut the bag in a spiral fashion from top to bottom to increase the length of the strips.

For a Boys size 2 shoe:
Chain 10 make one single crochet and turn.
Double crochet around the chain twice. Then begin to crochet around the oval but stop at a point half way down the side of the oval. Turn and crochet back toward the top and crochet all around the sandal bottom until you reach the lumpy point where you only went half way down the side. Slip stitch into lump (technical crochet term) and join securely with a single crochet.

Then begin to chain a cross piece to go diagonally acroos the toe of the sandal. Chain enough to reach flat and firm (no slack) to criss cross the foot. Join with slip stitch and break bag strip. Work into bottom of shoe. Find a matching point on other side of sandal and chain enough to criss cross to other toe side. Join with slip stich and work into shoe bottom.

Viola!, a nice light pair of Earth Day sandals. I made a pair for William as an Earth Day present to just muck around in. He loved them!

(Note:his pattern orginally Appearred at my Fiber Art site at Suite101.com
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/fiber_arts/37710)

Check out these other articles for RECYCLING PROJECTS:

Recycled Plastic Bag Crochet Tote:
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/3926/68790

Knitted Earth Day Mug Rug and Placemat:
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/3926/68008

Blue Jean Bean Bag Chair
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art33783.asp