Growers and Grocers

Like many people, I’ve tried to reduce the number of plastic bags I bring home from shopping.  I have a decent number of canvas reusable bags that I take with me whenever I grocery shop.  However, there are times when I’ve forgotten to put them back in my van and I’ve had to go make a quick run to the store on my way home from work or I’ve sent my husband out to pick up a few things.  When that happens, we end up with more plastic bags coming home.  If this has happened to you, here are some ways to reuse them rather than just tossing them directly into the garbage to contribute to the growing landfills.

1. Line bathroom garbage bins.  Once full, simply lift out and discard with your other garbage.
2. Keep one in the car to collect garbage that comes with taking your kids to their various play dates and activities.  I always have wrappers from snacks and tissues from runny noses in my van.  The bag makes it easier to collect all those little bits of garbage and clean out the van.
3. Pack a couple in your suitcase when going away on a trip.  These bags can serve as a way to keep your dirty clothes separate from the clean clothes you didn’t get a chance to wear.  This will eliminate the need to wash those clean clothes again.
4. If your little one is working on potty training while at pre-school or daycare, use these bags to collect the dirty clothes that are inevitable from accidents throughout the day.
5. Use them as packing material when sending out those holiday gifts this season.  No need to purchase bubble wrap or packing peanuts.  Just crumple up a bunch of these bags to cushion those gifts and they will be shipped safe and sound.
6. When donating food to your local food pantry, use your plastic bags.. They will re-use them (again) when those donations are given to those families in need.  Just be sure not to overload those bags as canned goods will cause them to rip.
7. If you are having a garage sale, keep those bags handy so that you can offer to package up those purchases.
8. Take them with you each time you head to the farmer’s market or grocery store.  Many grocery stores even off a small discount for reusing them, typically $0.02 to $0.05.
9. If your child’s school has a book fair or other fundraiser where they are selling small items, these bags come in handy for holding on those purchases.
10. Finally, if you have collected an overwhelming amount of plastic bags, grab the biggest one you’ve got and fill it up with the rest.  Then, head on over to your local grocery store and add them to the plastic bag recycling bin!

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.