10+ Ways to Reuse Your Paper Grocery Bags

Paper grocery bags aren’t readily given out by stores anymore. {If you don’t ask, you’ll get plastic}. But if you specifically ask for paper bags you’ll get them. And you should totally ask! Not only are they easier on the environment than plastic bags, but they are easy to reuse. Today I’m going to show you 10+ ways to reuse your paper grocery bags.

1.Try reusing your paper grocery bags as organizers in your pantry. Just fold them down to your desired size. If you like, you can paint them with acrylic craft paints for a bright pop of color.

2. Cut the bags into rectangles and decorate for placemats. These were used for a Thanksgiving table, but any time is a good time for a paper placemat!

3. I think these paper bag plant covers are really cute! The bags are lined with contact paper to make them waterproof, then you can add any words you like with a stencil and a simple black Sharpie. Find these supplies at Michaels!

4. This hanging planter made out of paper bags is genius. You can’t even tell what it used to be. Try making one for yourself!

5. Even if you don’t like the hanging planter, you may like this idea. Use a paper grocery bag to wrap a bouquet of flowers before gifting it to someone.

6. Once again, I have found a way to include a wreath in my post. 😉 But this one just could not be left out! Besides a few paper grocery bags, you’ll need cardboard, glue and ribbon. So easy! You can even use a Dollar Tree wreath form instead of cardboard.

7. Paper bags are the perfect thing to use for gift tags. You can incorporate the bag’s design, or just add a stamp or a stenciled design of your own, and you’re good to go.

8. Fireplace sachets are pretty and fragrant. These sachets wrapped in the paper from a grocery bag won’t have any trouble starting a fire for you.

9. Do you like the look of the books on this bookshelf? I do! They were given a uniform look by just covering them with paper grocery bags. My favorite part is the stenciled titles.

10. You can always recycle those paper bags into wrapping paper. It’s not hard to do, and the ways to do it are pretty endless. The Trader Joe’s holiday bags make it particularly easy!

11. These paper ornaments would be amazing on a rustic-themed Christmas tree. As a bonus, they’re cheap and easy, and no one would ever guess you made them yourself.