Those piled-up shopping plastic bags under the kitchen sink are far more useful than you think. There are numerous practical ways to reuse these bags, both indoors and outdoors, throughout the day.
Unconventional Ways to Reuse Plastic Bags
Reusing Plastic Bags at the Grocery Store
There’s no need to treat plastic bags as single-use items. You can absolutely bring your plastic bags on your next shopping trip.
Keep a few in your reusable shopping bag so that if you buy meat, drinks, liquids, or anything messy, you can wrap them in a plastic bag. It’s also a great way to prevent spills from affecting your nice reusable bags.
Lining Small Trash Bins
Grocery plastic bags make excellent liners for small trash bins, such as those in bathrooms. This is a neat way to keep the bottom of your trash bin clean.
Wrapping Shoes When Traveling
Many people don’t want their shoes touching other items in their suitcase when packing for a trip, and for a good reason.
Walking around airports, restrooms, and amusement parks will cause your shoes to pick up a lot of dirt and debris that you don’t want on your clothes and souvenirs. So, wrap your shoes in plastic bags before placing them in your suitcase. The bags create a barrier, ensuring your clothes and other items stay clean.
Recycling Them at the Grocery Store
As mentioned earlier, you can bring your plastic bags to the grocery store for shopping, but if you have too many and just want to get rid of a few, you can also dispose of them at the supermarket. Keep the bags in your car after use so you can toss them into the recycling bin after loading your newest groceries into the trunk.
Storing Wet Swimwear
When heading to the pool or beach, it’s always a good idea to bring a plastic bag in your tote bag. That way, when you change out of your wet swimsuit, you have a place to put it without soaking everything else.
This is a more cost-effective solution than buying a dedicated bag for this purpose. Moreover, if the bag starts to smell or tear by the end of the day, you won’t worry too much—you can dispose of it as soon as you get home.
Car Trash Collection
If you’re driving around with kids, trash will inevitably accumulate in the backseat unless you come up with a system. Placing a plastic bag in the car is a smart solution. Everyone can reach for the bag to throw their fruit peels and juice boxes, making weekend cleanups a breeze.
Meal Packaging
Are you sending your kid on a camping trip or to school with a homemade lunch? Pack it in a plastic bag. This way, your child can easily carry their lunch throughout the day if needed and won’t have to remember to bring the lunch box home every afternoon.
Additionally, older kids and teens may prefer the simple look of a plastic bag over a childish-looking lunch box.