12 More Ways to Reuse Paper Bags

Paper bags have been a bit of a controversy.  Are paper bags better than plastic?  I have a previous blog post with Ways to Reuse Paper Bags, which includes a video documentary about whether plastic or paper are better for the environment.  Click here to watch the video and see the first 8 Ways to Reuse Paper Bags.

I think we all can agree that reusing canvas shopping bags is best.

If you still find yourself with paper bags here are even more ways to reuse the paper bags you end up with:

1.  Use a dust mop?  Struggle to get the dust and dirt off it?  Put it in a paper bag and put a rubber band around it to secure the bag.  Then shake the dust mop to get the dust and dirt off.  Carefully remove the paper bag.

2.  Remove wax.  Heat the wax through a paper bag, moving the paper bag around to use new portions to pick up the wax.  Do not use a printed bag as this may cause the ink to run.

3.  Reuse as gift bags.  Use acrylic paint to cover any printed areas or glue on decorative paper.  Use decorative punches to decorate the edges, add ribbons, etc.  Get creative!

4.  Place fruit in a paper bag to accelerate ripening.

5.  Make a mailer with paper bags.  Click here for a tutorial on how to do this.

6.  Make an amazing butterfly wreath!!

7.  Make paper!

8.  Use them to protect surfaces when your painting, gluing or doing other messy crafty projects.

9.  Cut out eyes and decorate to make a mask.

10.  Make a kite.

11.  Use them to separate your recyclables.

12.  Cut into strips and tape them to make chains for decorations.

You can also make a Paper Bag Scrapbook.  Click here to get my original, simple Paper Bag Scrapbook.

Find out more about my updated Paper Bag Scrapbook there and how to get the step-by-step instructions for free, too.

18 Fun and Useful Ways to Reuse Newspaper

1. Make a Newspaper Flower that will never wilt!

2. Make it into a clay-like substance to make sculptures. See my Recycled Newspaper Puffy Heart Tutorial.

3. Wash windows or mirrors with it
4. Pack crumpled-up newspapers into containers to absorb orders. For example, put it in coolers when you store them for the winter.
5. Line your vegetable draw in your refrigerator with them to draw out moisture and smells.
6. Line pet cages with it. Also, you can use cut up newspaper as kitty litter in a pinch.
7. Make seed starting pots from newspaper.
8. Make a newspaper hut for your kids!
9. Use as wrapping paper. (It would be so adorable with a newspaper flower on top!)
10. Use newspaper to cushion packages you send.
11. Stuff crumpled newspaper into wet shoes to help them dry more quickly.
12. Use in your gardening.
13. Make a cool paper hat!
14. Go fly a kite.
15. Use it to make large patterns for sewing or crafting.
16. Use it for anything you would use any paper for!
17. Donate to farmers - I see boxes around asking for newspapers.
18. Make a newspaper fountain (see video below)

What other ideas do you have for reusing newspapers?

How to Reuse Paper Bags

Before talking about ways to reuse paper bags, here's a short documentary that explores whether paper bags or plastic bags are better for the environment.



From here on out, we'll all remember to take our reusable canvas bags to the grocery store, right?

Here's what you can do with all your leftover paper bags:

1. You can reuse them as bags. (obviously)
2. You can use them in any way you would use any paper. Cut them so they are flat and then draw on them, paint on them, etc. (although, they are not acid-free)
3. Make a paper bag scrapbook. Here's my paper bag scrapbook tutorial
4. Decorate it and use it as wrapping paper
5. Cover your books
6. Use them to mail things. You can cut apart and wrap your item in the paper to mail it, or use the bag as cushion for inside.
7. Make a paper bag basket
8. Make a puppet! (video below)



What other ways do you reuse/recycle paper bags?