Comments on: Tips for reusing plastic shopping bags

By: Dan the Neuroscientist

Dan the Neuroscientist — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 16:22:36 +0000

There is a really cool method I have tried that involves ironing about 8 ply thick of plastic bags togeather between wax paper and then using this as a material for sowing. you can get really cool designs out of random designy things on plastic bags. make sure you get the iron on the right setting (its around polyester but not the same setting) and make sure all sheets are thoroughly fused togeather. you could make a bicycle courier bag out of it (like me) but i have seen people make really weather resistant pillows out of them for out door furniture as well as cool little trinkity handbags.

By: Jen

Jen — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 10:22:20 +0000

We re-use our shopping bags as garbage bags. Simple enough!

BTW, a handy hint for storing them - tie them in a loose knot. This makes them easier to grab and a little more child-safe!

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 10:19:00 +0000

In my opinion, the whole issue of having to recycle plastic bags could be avoided if retailers simply switched to providing their customers with bio-degradable bags. The fruit markets I shop at do.

The reality is that most retailers would rather sell their customers re-usable bags for a profit instead of providing them with free bio-degradable bags (which cost them money).

As for a tip... when shopping at Bunnings, if they try charging me 10 cents for disposable plastic bags, I simply tell them that I can get them for free elsewhere, and that they have to beat that by 10%, which means I get them for free (although maybe they should be paying me 1 cent to take each bag off their hands).