Last Updated on May 25, 2025
Let's be real: no matter how many reusable bags we own, we still forget to bring them sometimes. Or we bring two when we needed five. The result? A growing pile of plastic bags under the sink, in the pantry, or stuffed into another plastic bag.
But instead of beating ourselves up or tossing them in the trash, let's get resourceful.
Here's an extensive list of smart, helpful, and even creative ways to reuse plastic grocery bags-and maybe feel a little less judged by that smug shopper with her perfectly folded reusable tote.
Household Uses
- Line small trash cans around the house.
- Collect car trash or use as a liner for vehicle bins.
- Keep one in the car as a barf bag (trust me, you'll be glad you did).
- Wrap paint brushes or rollers between coats to keep them from drying out.
- Cover side mirrors or wiper blades during winter to prevent ice buildup.
- Line the cat's litter box.
- Use during diaper changes for quick disposal.
- Store wet items after the beach or pool.
- Separate dirty clothes or shoes in your suitcase.
- Store leaky toiletries while traveling.
Cleaning, Storage & Organization
- Use them as packing material when shipping fragile items.
- Replace batting for stuffed toys or crafts.
- Wrap them around paint rollers or use as paint applicators.
- Use as dust covers for hanging clothes.
- Wrap shoes to contain dirt or odors in luggage.
- Use them to gather food scraps or peels while cooking for easy cleanup.
- Wrap around water bottles to prevent condensation in your bag.
- Place under houseplants as a protective barrier.
- Cover shelves or drawers for easy-to-clean liners.
- Store them inside an empty tissue box for easy dispensing.
Pet & Outdoor Uses
- Use for dog waste during walks.
- Keep muddy shoes contained near your front door.
- Tie around your knees while gardening to stay dry.
- Use to transport plants and keep dirt from spilling in the car.
- Cover outdoor plants during unexpected frost.
- Create a mini greenhouse to keep plants hydrated on vacation.
- Stuff them into homemade pet beds for cozy, recycled filling.
Creative & Crafty Ideas
- Make a toy parachute.
- Sew a baby crinkle toy.
- Build a kite or wreath.
- Crochet a placemat or make coasters.
- Fuse them together to create a placemat or gift bows.
- Make plastic bag flowers for decoration.
- Create a purse or rug.
- Twist and braid into strong DIY rope.
Travel & On-the-Go Uses
- Use as a shower cap in a pinch or while dyeing your hair.
- Wrap around a cast to keep it dry in the shower.
- Place wet umbrellas in one before tossing them into your purse or car.
- Store snacks or sticky items when hiking or camping.
- Use over socks inside boots to keep feet dry in rain or snow.
- Help slide into tight-fitting boots or skates more easily.
- Keep one in your diaper bag for emergencies-dirty clothes, wipes, etc.
Smart Reuse & Donations
- Save them to give to customers at your next yard sale.
- Donate them to your local thrift store for customer bags.
- Drop some off at the food pantry-they always need bags.
- Ask your library if they can use them for book sales or rainy day book protection.
- Use to wrap up baked goods for delivery or food gifts.
- Use as filler in baskets or gift bags.
- Cover rising dough or wrap frozen meat to thaw more neatly.
- Admire how artists like Virginia Fleck turn plastic bags into stunning art!
Plastic bags may not be ideal, but you don't have to toss them in the trash or let them take over a cabinet. With a little creativity and intentionality, you can put them to good use and feel less guilty next time you forget your reusable tote.
What's your favorite way to reuse plastic bags? Did I miss any genius ideas? Let me know in the comments!
Some charitable organizations use to weave mats for the unhomed to sleep on. Softens the ground and waterproof.
That is a wonderful way to reuse plastic bags! Thanks so much for sharing that with us.
I store my bags in old Kleenex boxes and place them in cabinets in each room to use as trash liners.
I love that idea! It’s a great way to reuse 2 different things. Thanks so much for sharing it with us.
The great thing about this list of ways to re-use those plastic grocery bags is that you don’t have to be even a bit crafty to do these things. I’m on board- reuse!!
That’s one of my favorite things about re-using the bags too, because I’m not very crafty.
For minor paint jobs that require a roller, place the tray inside a bag and pour the paint onto the bag.
When you’re done just turn the bag inside out and bin. No tray cleanup needed.
And if you’re using a water based paint for larger jobs, bag your roller and place in the freezer overnight, or longer.
We should be covered for a while. We have plastic bags coming from everywhere.
Wow, what a fantastic list! I was happy that I do a lot of these already but will really have to check out that toy parachute. My kiddo would love it!
I have so many plastic bags — some from my husband, but for me because i go to the store with one bag and then need 3. eek!
I do the same thing at the grocery store. Either that or I bring way too many reusable bags. It’s like Tupperware, I never seem to size things up right!
So many uses for plastic bags.. I always tend to have a ton hanging around the house. We use the when we clean up the doggy mess from the back yard or garbage bags for smaller bathroom trash cans
WOW!! I love this list, I would have never thought of half of these, especially the kid crafty ones. I use most of mine for cat liter but going to try a craft or two with them.
we donate ours to the humane society they make great pooper scoopers when walking the dogs
Great tips! We use ours to scoop out the cat’s litter box 🙂
This is a great idea for rounding up those pesky plastic bags. I always round up my extra plastic bags and take them to my son’s old daycare. They always need plastic bags for soiled clothes or for bagging a horrible diaper.
Don’t have a changing pad while out in public, you can use a plastic bag to lay your child on.
We do lots of these things in our household. I hate seeing people just throw them away! I also think it’s important to note that most grocery stores also have recycling centers where you can recycle bags, too; sometimes we get so many that we just can’t seem to use them all, so when that happens, I make sure to recycle them. Thanks for this great post; I hope people will start being more green about their plastic bag use after reading it. 🙂
You’re right. A LOT of stores have recycling receptacles for plastic bags. I do hope more people are inspired to make the small effort to be green.
awesome list! I keep plastic bags in my car for emergency purposes already, I need to be more DIY creative with them, so that I can put them to good use! Great info here! Thank you 🙂
Hi Corinne – We keep a bucket under the sink to reuse plastic grocery bags for whatever. I think I can count maybe 2-3 ways we reuse, so these 50 ideas are great! Hugs, Holly
This is such a great list! I learned so much. We use them for trash bags and to put shoes in when we are packing for a trip. I made an outdoor rug one with trash bags! It really helped get the dirt off our shoes before coming in the house!
I posted about it on one of my blogs as well a while ago. It’s amazing how many ways we can reuse plastic bag, I’m doing it all the time.
I use them all the time for garbage bags in the house and car! And I use them if I want to bring something to someones house–there are some other ideas I will probably incorporate–thank you!
I laughed out loud at the barf bag one. It’s an awesome idea and I have no clue why I never thought of that before 🙂
Hopefully it’s because you’ve never had the need for one before. Unfortunately, we have (once for the dog!).