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Reuse-a-Bag II

Last month we took a look at reusing plastic bags. This month we would like to look at the many ways to reuse paper bags. So again, before you recycle another paper bag, consider trying some of these reuse ideas:

Paper bags can be used as:

• Craft material
• Trash can liners
• Lining for bird cages
• Book covers
• Storage
• Stationary
• Shelf liner
• A recycling container (fill it with newspapers)
• Composting material
• Packing materials: They can be used to wrap items, as well as used as packing filler to reduce movement and to protect items

Paper bags can be used to:

• Ripen peaches, plums, and tomatoes
• Store other paper bags for shopping
• Line flower beds
• Wrap gifts
• Mat pictures

Paper bags can be the foundation for many craft/ art projects:

• Origami: the Japanese art of folding paper
• Making hats
• Papermaking
• Bookmaking
• Scrap booking
• Weaving
• Lanterns
• Luminaries

Donate bags to food pantries, used book stores, libraries, thrift shops, or other organizations for reuse. Paper bags can be used again (3 or more times) as grocery bags — so take bags to the grocery store to reuse instead of getting new ones.

Again should you still find that your paper bags are not diminishing, recycle them.

If you would like to try your hand at some paper craft project, below are a few paper bag craft websites: how to make and Origami crane, making handmade paper, and paper bag crafts.

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Photo credit — Paper gift bag, ^©iStockphoto.com/ROTTSTRA; Origami crane ^©iStockphoto.com/timsa