How to Re-use Plastic Grocery Bags

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By drlilly11
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Re-use Plastic Grocery Bags

Remember those old cowboy movies your grandparents use to watch? The silent ones with tumbleweeds blowing across the dry dirt roads? Well, nowadays, instead of dry dirt roads we have cracked pothole infested highways and instead of tumbleweeds we have plastic grocery bags. Unlike tumbleweeds, though, these seemingly innocent bags are quite hazardous to our environment and dangerous to our children and animals. I have come up with some ideas on how to re-use these plastic bags as to prevent them from becoming road kill.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Plastic bags

Step 1

When you know you are making a pit stop to the supermarket bring along a cloth/canvas tote to use in place of the plastic bags. For those times we make last minute stops to the store (I am a mom, so this happens almost everyday!) and are forced to succumb to using the plastic bag, recycle! Many stores now let you drop off old plastic bags for recycling. I have seen them at several supermarkets, Walmarts and Christmas Tree Shops in my area.
Step 2

I line my small trash cans with plastic grocery bags instead of buying specially made liners. They may not be esthetically pleasing or come in various fruit scents, but they are free, eco-friendly and do the job just fine.
Step 3

If you have a pet, especially in the city, then you are guilty like me of buying specially made doggie poo bags. You know, they come in a nifty little container that turns into a keychain and can be clipped on to your belt. I mean, talk about literally throwing away your money. I have since changed my ways and find plastic bags work just as well for this dirty job. Oh, and while on the poo subject, throw dirty diapers in these plastic bags before throwing it in the trash. The plastic bag, I find, actually locks in most of the soiled diaper smell. PeeU!!
Step 4

I always keep a few bags in the car when I go to the beach. After a day of frolicking in the sun I can put my wet sandy beachwear in the bags as to not track sand in my car and home. They work great with children's beach toys too!
Step 5

When traveling with luggage I always put my used clothes in plastic bags. It keeps my luggage organized and prevents my clean clothes from becoming dirty. I also like to wrap my shoes in bags to keep any dirt on them from finding its way to my clothes as well.