How to recycle plastic bags

Many people have loads of plastic bags left that are not being used, and as many people use more sustainable bags now, they may not be. But there are so many things that you can do with otherwise unwanted plastic bags.

Protect your clothes: Cover clothes in a wardrobe with a plastic bag to protect them from moths and other bugs.

Line the litter tray: With a plastic bag before you pour the litter in. When you need to change it, just remove the bags and throw them away.

Protect your hands: From dirty jobs like cleaning the toilet, if you have no gloves nearby, tie a plastic bag around your hand to keep it clean.

Treat your hands: Apply handcream to both hands, put them inside a plastic bag and leave for about 20 minutes, take them out and your hands will feel nice and soft. The plastic makes your hands sweat, this helps the handcream to absorb better.

Keep your shoes in shape: If you worry about expensive shoes losing their shape, stuff them with crumpled up plastic bags when you are not wearing them. You can do the same thing to keep your handbag from looking deflated and shapeless.

Earrings: Cut the handles from a bag and cut open the seams. Cover with a sheet of newspaper and iron until the fibres fuse together. Draw your shapes and cut them out. Pierce a hole with a needle. Paint with nail polish or acrylic paint. Add ear wires.

Store your paintbrush: If you need to stop painting for a while, but you don't want to clean your paintbrush, simply wrap it in a plastic bag and the paint will remain wet.

Stuffing: You can use crumpled up plastic bags as temporary stuffing for cushions, toys or any crafts.

Streamers: If you have coloured plastic bags, cut them into strips and use as streamers for a party.

Make a new bag: Get a load of your old plastic bags, cut off the handles and cut open the seams. Lay them out onto the floor 3 bags thick (at least) and as many bags high and wide as you like. Cover with brown paper or newspaper and iron on a medium setting. Do this for the other side of the bag too and make some narrow but thick strips for the handles. Sew together and voila, a new large, long lasting shopper