by Ann Marie Dwyer

Created on: February 26, 2007   Last Updated: April 19, 2007

In terms of the environment, plastic is truly better than paper. Plastic bags can be recycled to use 67% less energy than producing the original bags. Recycling paper bags cannot save much beyond 20% water over original production and cannot be closed circuit recycled at all. Further, 100% post consumer paper, paperboard and/or cardboard is not suitable in the production of paper bags.

In the last decade, this question has disappeared from most of the American shopping landscape. Below are ten of the many reuses for the plastic bags.

1. Use as packing material.
This is a free solution to bubble wrap and packing paper. They are light to ship. Swaddle your delicate ornaments after holidays or great-grandma's china.

2. Store early holiday or birthday presents.
When you find that perfect gift (and on sale) in May, buy it. Write the recipient's name on the bag in indelible ink and store with your decorations, thus protecting it from prying eyes and dust. This saves time and money.

3. Use them as gloves for messy jobs.
Whether cleaning the oven or picking up your furry child's little accident, a plastic bag protects your hand.

4. Use them to sort laundry on trips.
Hubby's suitcase has three bags. One for whites, one for colors and one for his swim trunks- protects what's clean and the interior of the luggage!

5. Recycle toys.
Keep your children interested by bagging toys and books. Store in a closet or storage room for 4-6 weeks. Return them to your children, and they will banish Saturday afternoon boredom.

6. Use as a picnic basket.
Bring two bags. One to carry home the utensils, small containers and condiments-the other to bag your refuse and throw it into a proper receptacle.

7. Use as a liner to your snow boots.
If you cannot squeeze another pair of socks between your feet and your boots, slide your stockinged foot into a bag before your boot. Great insulation from both cold and wet!

8. Organize your projects.
Put the supplies for your projects in separate bags. After labeling outside of the bag in indelible ink, place your bags into a decorative basket or plastic bin for storage.

9. Sort recycling.
One bag for crushed aluminum cans, one for crushed plastic bottles, one for glass, one for steel/tin and one for cardboard/newspaper. They are not too heavy to carry, will not split like bigger bags and are more manageable than large bins.

10. Use as trash liners.
Never buy the small trash bags. Use a plastic bag in a nice basket for waste paper in your office or bathroom.

If you absolutely cannot reuse a plastic bag, please return it to the store or your local recycling center for recycling.

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