Reuse paper bags to give them another purpose before being recycled.
Paper bags can accumulate from grocery shopping even when we do our best to avoid them. Once their purpose is fulfilled, these bags often end up in either landfill or recycling. But did you know that paper bags can be reused and repurposed in countless ways? From practical household solutions to crafty uses there are numerous paper bag uses that can extend their lifespan and reduce waste.
In this article, we will explore 15 innovative ways to reuse paper bags that you may have never thought of before. Whether you’re looking for an eco-friendly alternative to plastic bags or want to get crafty with your kids, these simple ideas will inspire you to give paper bags a new lease on life.
15 Easy Paper Bag Uses
- Use again for grocery shopping!
There’s no reason not to take paper bags with you the next time you go shopping. Flattened, they take up no space so can be left in the car in case you forget to bring reusable grocery bags.
- Bin liners
Paper bags make great bin liners as long as you don’t put anything too wet in them and are a great alternative to plastic.
- Fire starter
Reuse paper bags by filling with kindling and then use for a fire starter.
- Use when selling or giving away things
Keep some bags on hand to package up items when you’re giving away goods in a Buy Nothing group on selling on a online marketplace.
- Weed mat
Paper bags are useful to suppress weeds. Simply lay down on the garden bed before covering with mulch.
- Use for wrapping paper
Cut up into a large sheet and use for wrapping paper.
- Kids craft
Let the kids use paper bags as a canvas for their drawing or painting. They even have a convenient handle to hang up on display!
- Worm farm
If you have a worm farm, give the worms a tasty paper treat.
- Compost
Paper bags are a great addition to your compost and will balance out the moisture to stop it becoming a sloppy mess.
- Gift bag
Reuse paper bags as gift bags. If there are logos on the outside, simply turn them inside out or cover up with a picture.
- Use as packing paper
If you’re moving or sending something by post, paper bags can be used as packing paper in between crockery or scrunched up to fill a space in boxes.
- Draining oily food
Paper bags can be used in place of paper towels to soak up excess oil from fried foods.
- Ripen bananas
If you need to ripen bananas quickly, leave them at room temperature in a paper bag. Bananas are ripened by ethylene which they emit themselves so the paper bag just traps it all in there.
- Storing vegetables
Reuse paper bags to store vegetables such as mushrooms where they absorb the moisture and potatoes where the paper bag blocks sunlight which turns potatoes green.
- Give away
If the paper bag uses above are not useful to you or you just have way too many, give them away. They would be appreciated by:
- Local takeaway restaurants
- Schools for their uniform shops or fundraising stalls
- Op shops/ thrift shops
- Farmers markets
- Buy Nothing groups
Paper bag uses for everyone.
Do you have any other brilliant ideas? Let me know in the comments so I can add them to the list.
More ways to reduce and reuse:
- Repairing shoes for longer lasting footwear
- 20 Places to buy second hand clothes online
- 10 Upcycled Gift Wrap Ideas