 | | January 30, 2026 |  |
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| A growing number of states are phasing out plastic bags in favor of paper or reusable bags. Yet, between takeout orders, produce bags, and purchases from retailers excluded from the bans, they still manage to clutter up our drawers. Aside from using them as wastebasket liners, how can you put them to good use? As it turns out, there are a few ways to give plastic bags a second life. |
 | | Credit: George Gregorio/ Pexels |
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| Paint trays don't have to be a single-use item. If you have an old one with dried-on paint, just line it with a plastic bag to get more uses out of it. It beats struggling to chip away at old paint or tossing the tray in the trash. You can also use this hack for new trays, keeping them fresh for longer and saving you the cost of store-bought liners. |
| 2. Keep Your Knees Clean When Gardening |
| As relaxing as gardening can be, it can also be messy and — quite literally — a pain. Fortunately, you can reuse plastic bags to help with both problems. To keep your knees clean and lightly cushioned while you work, try tying plastic bags around them, spreading out the plastic to provide extra protection from the damp ground. |
| Much like the paint tray trick, you can use a plastic bag to waterproof the interior of a tote bag or backpack. This is perfect for shielding your essentials from the rain or for safely transporting wet items, such as a bathing suit or a dripping umbrella. |
| When in Doubt, There's Always Recycling |
| Having a few plastic bags stored away will come in handy eventually, but if your collection is getting out of control, you can always recycle them. Since most curbside recycling programs won't accept them, look up local drop-off points or specialized recycling centers that can process them for you. Many big-box stores and grocery stores, including Walmart, Target, Lowe's, Kroger, Safeway, and Whole Foods, also offer drop-off bins for plastic bag recycling. |
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| *This content is brought to you by our sponsor, which helps keep our content free. |
 | | Boxiebag Reusable Grocery Bag | | I live in the mountains, which means I often go "down the hill" to buy specialty or better-priced groceries. A basic reusable bag just doesn't cut it when the drive home is 45 minutes long. The Boxiebag offers the "capacity of four plastic bags" and is fully insulated to keep your items at a safe temperature. While it stores completely flat, it expands to 13 inches long, 11 inches wide, and 13 inches high when you're ready to load up. The lid seals tight with hook-and-loop fastener, while the water- and stain-repellant fabric makes it durable. — Kelsey Morrison, House Outlook Editor |
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| *This content is brought to you by our sponsor, which helps keep our content free. |
| Pauline Lacsamana is a freelance writer and editor who specializes in commerce, home, design, and lifestyle. She has bylines in The Spruce, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Hunker, MyDomaine, Parade, and more. |
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