Don't throw away plastic bags when you're done unloading the groceries.
Plastic grocery bags have a tendency to clutter kitchen cabinets and reproduce every time you come home from the grocery store. Instead of throwing them out in a bout of frustration, reuse plastic bags to open up cabinet space and to save the environment. Recycle them afterward, and avoid the issue altogether by reducing your use of plastic grocery bags in the future. Does this Spark an idea?
Use Around the House
Use plastic bags as small trashcan liners and to dispose of other waste, such as dirty diapers and old cat litter. Plastic bags also come in handy in the kitchen to organize and separate meat in your freezer, or to use as or under a cutting board for easy clean-up when cooking. You can also use plastic bags to stuff window valences so they appear fuller; to store linens, crafts and seasonal decorations and keep them dust-free; as packing material or mailing fillers; and to pack lunches.
Use in the Car and for Travel
Plastic grocery bags come in handy in the car, when traveling or simply when you're out and about or running errands. Use plastic bags as trash bags for your car and keep extras in the glove compartment or trunk. When you're out running errands with your baby, stash a few plastic bags in the diaper bag in case of dirty diapers or soiled clothing. When traveling, use plastic bags to store wet swimsuits and dirty clothes, and for toiletries in case of spills.
Use for Crafts, Holiday Decorations and Parties
Get creative with your plastic grocery bags by using them for crafts, holiday decorations and parties. For crafts, keep a plastic bag nearby for discarding scraps and other materials, or use a plastic bag to protect the surface you're working on. For holiday decorations, roll paper bags into different sized balls to make mini snowmen and decorate as desired; cut or hole-punch plastic bags to make fake snow; use plastic bags as stuffing for decorative scarecrows; or turn plastic bags into Halloween ghosts that you can hang in your yard. For parties, cut and trim plastic bags to make leis and grass skirts for a luau party; provide kids with plastic bags for collecting items they find while on a party scavenger hunt; or spray paint plastic bags and cut into small pieces to make party confetti.
Donate and Recycle
Donate plastic bags to local organizations that use bags for consumer purchases or to deliver supplies, such as food banks, used-book stores, libraries and thrift stores. Donate only clean plastic bags without holes; flatten and fold, and place them in another plastic bag. Recycle any plastic bags that have holes or that you have already reused for nonmessy purposes. Some grocery stores have recycling bins used solely for recycling plastic grocery bags; if yours do, take any unwanted plastic bags with you on your next grocery trip and throw them away in the bin.
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