Plastic grocery bags are often clustered in drawers or hidden under sinks in our homes for their convenience before they are disposed of unknowingly after one use (and can last way longer). Plastic bags impact the environment while they pile and pile and pile in riverways and landfills, breaking down (and it won’t ever fully go away) for centuries. These 2 problems can be solved in only one way. 

Always reuse plastic grocery bags! 

It is an easy and effective way to reduce waste and save money, no crafty skills required. Here are 10 brilliant hacks on how to reuse plastic grocery bags.

10 Hacks to Reuse Plastic Grocery Bags

We’ll look at ways you can repurpose plastic shopping bags using some common items. Here are ten real-life, easy to put into practice, ways to repurpose plastic shopping bags. Each hack takes very low effort, and won’t cost any money, other than your creativity. So, let’s begin:

Hack 1: Plastic Bag as trash can liner

Reusing plastic grocery bags & small plastic shopping bags as the liner of small trash cans is one of the simplest and most effective ways to cut waste and save money. 

Benefits:

• Simple to Use:  Open a grocery bag and put it in the bin! Tuck either the handles or sides around the rim to hold it secure.
• Right Size for Small Bins:  It is unnecessary to use a big bag, when you have a small wastebasket.
• Water-Resistant:  Everyday messes like tissues, wrappers, or coffee grounds won’t leak during the duration of use.
• Money-Saving: No actual cost for using an extra roll of small trash liners.

Hack 2: DIY Plastic Bag Storage Dispenser

Make an easy dispenser! Fold or roll each bag into a small bundle and just drop them into an empty tissue box, oatmeal container, or something similar, then pull one bag through the opening in the lid; with the remainder following on cue. This organization will eliminate bags from the bottom of drawers, utilize less space, and you can grab one in one hand whenever you are prepared to leave the house. 

Benefits:

• Neat Storage: Bags are not scattered around drawers or cabinets.
• Easy Access: You pull one after the other just like tissues.
• Upcycled Container: You can use a box or jar you already own, and not need to buy a dispenser.

Hack 3: Waterproof Shoe Covers

Put a clean plastic grocery bag tover each shoe (you need to cover the sole and upper), then tie the handles of the grocery bag around your ankle or under pant cuffs so that it stays in place. Walk carefully on wet or muddy surfaces, then once the shoes are dry, dispose of the bags. 

Benefits:

• Quick protection: For those unexpected moments of rain or mud, it can protect your shoes from the water.
• Disposable convenience: When you’re all done for the day you can throw the bag away without having to worry about cleaning or rinsing off mud from the shoes.

Hack 4: Paintbrush Protector

If you are taking a break for any length of time from painting (walls, furniture or trim), then wrap your brush bristles in a plastic grocery bag and tie off with a rubber band or twist tie. This will seal the bristles air-tight so that paint does not dry in the bristles and you can still use your brushes when you are ready to paint again. 

Benefits:

• Moisture Lock: Prevents paint from hardening between coats. 
• Time Saver: Brushes are ready to use without rinsing or cleaning. 
• Brush Lifespan: Reduces the need to have to buy new brushes mid-project. 
• Simple Setup: Just wrap and seal, no tools needed!

Hack 5: Cushioning Material for Packaging

Crumble up plastic grocery bags into loose balls, and surround the fragile items such as dishes, glassware, or electronics with them. The air trapped in the crumpled plastic provides shock absorption. Once you unpack you can flatten and save the bags to reuse and cut back on the use of bubble wrap or peanuts.

Benefits:

• Shock Absorption: Protects items in transit, during moves or shipping. 
• Free Packaging: Instead of spending money on costly bubble wrap or peanuts. 
• Reusable: Unpack, refold, and save for next time. 
• Filler: Stuff into empty spaces (e.g., inside vases) to keep items from shifting.

Hack 6: Plastic Bag as a Plant Protector

On cold nights, use a plastic bag if you have tender plants or pots of seedlings, place the plastic bag over top, then place a rock, brick, or stake down at the bottom to secure the plastic bag around the plant in case the wind picks up. The next morning, remove the bag to provide light and air to the plant. The air inside the bag will be insulated and would protect the plants from light frost until it gets warm enough.

Benefits:

• Cold Weather Covering: Protects crops from unexpected cold.
• Insulating Air Layer: Keeps the soil and air around the plant to be just a few degrees warmer
• Quick Cover: Don’t go buy specialty tools, use what you have.
• Reusable for several frost events: Remove, store, and re-use for the next cold night.

Hack 7: Reusable Lunch Bag

Find a clean, hole-free plastic grocery bag with no spills or grease and pack your lunch in it. Fold down the top and seal the bag by either folding down the middle or tying the handles together. It’s ready.

Benefits:

• Leaky Management: If you have a spill, you can throw out the bag without ruining your fabric lunchbox.
• Cost Effective: You will eventually save money by replacing your disposable sandwich bags over time.
• Fast Cleanup: Shake out crumbs, refold the bag, and store away in your bag to take on your next outing.

Hack 8: Travel Laundry Bag

Be sure to keep one or two grocery size clean plastic bags in your bag or suitcase. If you pile clothes high and they get dirty or stink, you just fold them into the bag and tie the handles together. This will trap odors and moisture. When you get home or to a laundromat, you can wash the bag (if machine washable), or throw it away if dirty. 

Benefits:

• Odor Control: Dirty clothes won’t stink up the rest of your luggage.
• Minimal Space: Will take up almost no space when the bag is empty.
• Disposable Option: If the bag is too soiled then just throw it away when done.

Hack 9: DIY Plastic Bag Yarn (Plarn)

Flatten out a plastic bag of any type, cut off the handles and bottom seam. Fold the bag so the short edges are aligned, and cut horizontal strips, 1-2 inches apart, while leaving one edge uncut to form a loop. Unfold the plastic bag and cut the loop into a long plastic strip. Next, tie the strips together end to end and roll it into a ball, and then you can crochet or weave with it! It is a strong enough yarn and you can make bags, mats or any decorative craft. 

Benefits:

• Durable material: Plarn performs surprisingly well in DIY projects. 
• Cost-free yarn: No need to purchase specialty items from a craft store. 
• Family friendly craft: Adults and kids can cut, tie and create together. 
• All usable items: Whatever you created can be used! You can create reusable bags, mats or baskets from scraps.

Hack 10: Plastic Bag as a Car Trash Bag

For car trash storage, loop the handles of a clean plastic grocery bag together, then hang it from a headrest post, toss it over the back of a seat, or place it in a cup holder. As you use the car, toss wrappers, receipts, and all other random small trash items into this bag. When it fills up, untie it, knot the top to keep it closed, and discard it at your next stop, no more wrappers rolling around slipping under seats.

Benefits:

• Keeps Interior Clean: This prevents random trash from rolling around.
• Easy Replacement: Changing out a dirty bag can be accomplished in seconds.
• No Special Equipment: All the bags you need are ones you have on hand, no purchase required.

Conclusion

To sum up, using the bags as trash liners, plant protectors, or even crafting them into reusable totes or mats as you repurpose them, not only reduces waste, but completely rethinks the way we use consumables daily. 

Just putting a bag in a dispenser or using one in the car are simple habits to practice that can stretch our resources and keep plastic waste from our landfills and oceans. The above-mentioned innovative hacks can help you save money, reduce single-use plastic, and perhaps build a sustainable routine.