What to do with your old plastic carrier bags - 13 alternative uses

Well, since you're paying 5p for it you might as well make the most of your shopping bags.

Here’s how to effectively use those plastic bags you still have left lying around the house, before your bag for life takes over

1. Pulling on a cold damp wetsuit is tricky as well as uncomfortable. However, you’ll find yours will slip on much easier if you put your hands and feet in plastic bags first. Once you’ve slithered in, whip them off and…

2. ... Save those same plastic bags for transporting your wet swimming costume home in.

3. If your handbag or rucksack isn’t waterproof but you’ve got to cycle in the rain (umbrellas just aren’t practical in this scenario), put all your bits – phone, keys, wallet – in a plastic bag, before shoving the whole lot in the bag you wanted to use. Sure, the outside will get damp, but your valuables will be nice and dry.

4. Beat frost on your wing mirrors by looping plastic bags over them before going to bed. In the morning you won’t need to faff around with your credit card scratching at the frost, just pull the bags off and stuff them in the glove compartment ready for next time.

5. Got a dog? You can never have enough poop bags – just remember to double bag shopping carriers as they often have holes in, and you don’t want muck on your hands!


6. If you’ve got draughty gaps around pipes – particularly in your bathroom and kitchen – stuff the holes with carrier bags. They are durable, waterproof and trap lots of air, so should block out much of the air trying to get in.

7. This might look unsightly, but your plants will thank you. As autumn turns to winter, keen allotment owners can tie plastic bags over still ripening fruit to keep off the frost until they’re ready to eat.

8. Before putting the lid back onto a pot of paint, place a folded plastic bag across the top of the pot – that way any dried paint on the lid won’t tumble into the fresh stuff. Nifty, huh?

9. Or, if you’re halfway through painting and need a break, instead of going through the rigmarole of washing your brushes, seal them in a plastic bag and they won’t dry out.

10. Always losing the cover for your umbrella? Keep a plastic bag on you so you’re never caught out by the weather again.

11. Another trick for gardeners, cut a whole in the bottom of two plastic bags and slip them over your legs to create waterproof kneepads, so while you’re kneeling down in the dirt tending to your roses and veg, you don’t have to worry about getting damp, muddy knees.

12. Did you know that using weaving techniques, you can turn a whole bunch of plastic bags into one, much sturdier, reusable plastic shopper? You’ll find hundreds of tutorials on YouTube.

13. And, using the same technique, you can make rugs – perfect for the welly boot corner of your home.