Reusing plastic bags @ Saver Queen

Reusing plastic bags

Posted on February 26th, 2009 Saver Queen 8 comments

I came up with these cute ideas for re-purposing button bags. In a recent issue of Real Simple, they presented the idea of re-using these little bags to hold pills when traveling. But I realized they were quite handy in the kitchen, too. They efficiently store bread tags and elastic bands in one central location. I like this because I reuse all this stuff. It especially comes in handy when you bake your own bread loaves.

I also finally finished off my last box of Ziplock bags. I stocked up when these sold for less than $1 on a lucrative shopping trip to Price Chopper last spring. Using these bags sparingly means that my stock-up lasted nearly a year. I admit I rarely wash them, just because I have not found an efficient way of drying them, so if anyone has any ideas I’d love to hear them.

I will be reusing the box to store bread bags. I also reuse lettuce bags and other kinds of vegetable bags too.

Do you have a kitchen organization tip to share?

8 responses to “Reusing plastic bags”

Erran February 26th, 2009 at 09:46

Wash outside, then flip through to wash inside thoroughly, then let air dry. If you can leave them opened while doing this even better - line and clamps? I’ve done it by using the prongs/spacers on my dish-drying rack.
Dawn February 26th, 2009 at 12:40

I’m with Erran. I have some dishes that go in the washer, but a lot I hand wash. I prop the open bag on a wooden spoon handle and they dry quite nicely.
noble pig February 26th, 2009 at 16:24

You are so inventive and full of good ideas!
Denise February 26th, 2009 at 16:31

I prop them open on the drying rack in the sink. If I didn’t reuse them we could go thru a box a week.
Miss M February 26th, 2009 at 21:44

I don’t wash plastic baggies but I will reuse them a few times for the same item. For example, I usually bring a baggie of pretzels to work for a snack. I’ll use the same bag for a week before throwing it away. Pretzels aren’t dirty or gooey, so it doesn’t feel gross to reuse them.
Saver Queen February 27th, 2009 at 13:50

I don’t have a drying rack - but I like the idea of using a wooden spoon!
Melaniesd February 28th, 2009 at 14:49

I’ve seen soem blogs where people use a toothbrush holder with wooden sticks in them or chop sticks to hang the baggies from. I think it’s a great idea!

I use the little baggies for lots of things. I bought a package at my local dollar store and I keep my earrings & necklaces in them. It keeps them organized and in pairs so I can find them easily. I keep spare buttons in one and safety pins in another. They are wonderful for small things.

I also keep bread tags and elastics in baggies.

I buy honey in 1 litre glass jars. I always keep these jars to store grains and baking supplies. Not only does it help keep them fresh, it’s nice to have them all organized in glass jars that are the same size.
Sue G. May 18th, 2009 at 17:56

Just FYI -
There are now companies making reusable bags made from food-grade plastics (no BPA). In the long run, I think they’ll be more durable than ziplocks. I bought some Lunch Skins from 3GreenMoms. I’m not in the habit of using them all the time yet, but I hardly ever reach for ziplocs anymore; I think it will take me ages to use up the box I have.

Here’s a review of different kinds:
http://veganlunchbox.blogspot.com/2009/03/no-excuse-for-plastic-baggies.html