Profit from Plastic Waste
Repurposing plastic bags and bottles by turning them into useful and arty products can be an easy and profitable way to help clean up the environment!
According to research conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency, somewhere between five hundred billion and one trillion disposable bags are used each year around the world. The bad news is plastic bags remain in landfills, oceans, and other places for thousands of years.
While many cities and countries are banning plastic bags, there is still an abundance of plastic bags littering our our streets, our oceans and waterways. Converting them to usable products is easy. Here are a few examples of what you can do with discarded plastic bags.
There are two basic ways to convert plastic bags into a usable material.
Plarn
If you like to crochet, macrame, or knit you can easily make your own “plarn” from recycled plastic bags. The process is easy, and taps into your creative juices to create one of a kind items!
Here are a few links to projects that you can make from plarn.
Cute Betta Fish made out of plarn.
Plarn Market Bag
More Resources
Ravelry is a free site for knitters and crocheters, and offers many free and inexpensive patterns. You will need to join to access the patterns. After you join simply do a search for “plarn”.
Fusing
Simple process that requires an iron, a smooth surface to iron on, a pair of scissors, parchment paper, and a few books to use as a press between ironing to help remove bubbles.
Once you have made your fused your plastic bags here is a video that shows you how to make your own Plastic Tote Sack.
Here is another project. you can make with your fused plastic bags to help you get started with your new hobby.
Recycled wallet made with fused plastic bags
More crafts with plastic bags
Creative Plastic Bottle Projects
Repurposing plastic spoons
What a brilliant way to recycle plastic spoons!
For more ideas about repurposing environmental trash check out our ideas about Styrofoam Recycling!
