How to recycle plastic bags: 7 very original and simple ideas

|Lucía Poyo Vallina

Plastic is part of our daily lives, as it is present in practically everything we do. However, this material is one of the most polluting and has a very harmful effect on the planet's fauna and flora due to its chemical composition and its slow degradation process. In fact, it is the number 1 enemy of the seas and oceans.

At DIVAIN we are committed to the environment and are part of the movement Planet First. That is why we want to dedicate this post on our blog to telling you how to recycle plastic bags. We bring very original and very easy ideas to do. Discover them!

7 ideas to recycle plastic bags

Did you know that a supermarket plastic bag can take 150 years to degrade? Incredible! We are sure you have reused your bags more than once to go shopping again. But there are many other uses you can give them that you might not know. Here are a few ideas to inspire you! ;)

By the way! If you want to help the environment in other ways, take a look at these three articles on our blog. You will surely be interested!

Make a case for your glasses

Cut out a rectangle that matches one of the corners of the bottom part of the bag and make it approximately the size of your glasses. Then glue with silicone or glue the open side.

Next, make several holes at the top (this will be the hole through which the glasses are inserted) and keep passing a string or a piece of wool through the holes alternating them, one inside and the other outside. You will have the closure of your case! and it will be ready so you can take your glasses anywhere.

To freeze food

Plastic can be a good substitute for aluminum foil or cling film that we use to to freeze meat and fish. Cut your bag into smaller pieces and you will have plenty of freezer bags to wrap your food. Undoubtedly, an easy and simple way to help improve the environment.

Plastic flowers

Give your favorite corners of the house a very cheerful and colorful touch with beautiful bouquets made with plastic flowers. There are many original ways to create your own recycled flowers. The internet is full of tutorials where you will learn step by step how to make them. It can be a good way to decorate your home or also a beautiful handmade gift for that special person.

For pets

Another way to reduce environmental impact is to use plastic bags to pick up pet waste. This way you will save on buying these types of small bags and you can give a new life to supermarket bags.

Bracelets and necklaces

If you are a lover of jewelry and crafts, let your imagination fly and use plastic bags to make your own personalized bracelets and necklaces. Cut the bag into three strips and join them all at one end to start make a braid with them meanwhile, at the same time, you gradually insert through the ends of each strip the beads that you like the most. When it reaches the size you want, tie a knot at each end and stick the hooks.

This is a great idea to do with small children to have a good time with them and raise their awareness about the importance of recycling.

Make coasters

If you are a creative person and like crafts, you will surely be interested to know how you can create your most original coasters. Cut several pieces of the plastic bag with circular shape. Then take kitchen paper and cut several pieces of the same size and shape as the plastic circles. Next, you should stick all the layers plastic and kitchen paper; for this use the iron at a not very high temperature to prevent the plastic from sticking to it.

The more layers of paper and plastic you use, the thicker and more resistant your coasters will be. Also, if you use colored bags or with nice prints, you will give them a unique and fun touch.

Very original placemats

Finally, another idea we give you to recycle your plastic bags is to create your own placemats. To do this, take three bags of different colors and place them one on top of the other. If you want to personalize them, you can cut small pieces from other bags, with geometric shapes or silhouettes of whatever you can think of and place them on the top layer. Then add a layer of baking paper at the bottom and another layer on top. Take the iron and at medium temperature pass it over. You will have your most original placemats ready to place on your terrace or living room table.

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