10 ways to reuse your old carrier bags

The government has warned stores that failure to reduce the amount of plastic bags voluntarily by 70% will trigger a change in the law to put an end to the distribution of free throw away carrier bags. Here at recycle-more HQ we have compiled our top ten favourite unique and ingenious ways to reuse/ recycle the old bags everyone has stashed away at home.

	Create art work. 'Polar Bear and Cub', made from carrier bags, was exhibited at The Recycled Sculpture Show 2008
	Make yourself a pair of summer sandals
	Knit a bag out of your old carrier bags
	Design and build your own kite, which you could decorate with ribbons made from plastic bags and tin foil milk bottle tops etc
	Make a rain coat
	Have a go at making Homer's D'oh-Nut Trophy. Click here to download the instructions
	Make decorative wall flowers
	Give your dog a stylish new look by making them a new dog leash
	Use them to line your bin
	Make a door snake by sewing a tube of cloth, cram it full of plastic bags, then sew up the ends. Use it to prevent drafts from gaps under doors. Not only a good use of the carrier bags but also good for reducing energy bills and consumption

Please also remember that many supermarkets now offer a service to recycle carrier bags in store.

You can purchase long life bags in most supermarkets. Alternatively, long life bags can be purchased from:

Please help to reduce, reuse, and recycle!

Your suggestions...

The recycle-more team received an email suggesting that plastic bags could be used as a recycled moisture barrier for grass and live roots, which means that you don't have to buy expensive waterproof membranes. Excellent suggestion! Thank you for getting in touch.