How to reuse plastic bags!

By now you´ve probably heard how important it is to reduce the number of plastic bags that we all take home from stores, but it´s also a good idea to keep gently used sandwich bags in service.

Those ubiquitous plastic resealable bags now come in many sizes, and they are convenient. However, people often forget that they are sturdy enough for multiple uses. The bags are made of petroleum plastics, and so are using a nonrenewable resource, and produce toxic emissions upon manufacture. If the bags become ripped or heavily soiled with greasy foods, you are better off throwing them away (they aren´t recyclable in the vast majority of communities), versus expending a lot of water and soap to try and get them back into shape. However, for most uses, a quick rinse, or even shaking out crumbs, means you can use the bags over and over.

A number of companies even sell attractive wooden racks, where you can drape the bags for quick drying. Or, simply drop them over the faucet handle or cooking implements to dry.

If the thought of reusing bags for food gives you the willies, consider repurposing them for batteries, buttons, coupons, stamps or anything else you can think of.

How to reuse plastic shopping bags:

  1. Buy meat in bulk; pack in single dinner-size plastic bag THEN:
  2. Save bag: rinse and drain over faucet overnite THEN:
  3. Re-use bag to remove (ahem!) catbox waste THEN tie bag in knot and THEN throw it out; keeps the garbage guys from “fallout” (ick!) and we don´t have to buy any bags for that purpose!
  4. Use bags to pick up doggy do, then you do not need to buy more plastic bags for that purpose.
  5. Also you can use your pick n pay and woolies plastic bags as bin liners at home or in the office.

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