As the world tries to be more eco-friendly, we are making switches and finding new ways to care for the planet. In the last few years, there has been a massive change in our views towards single-use plastic.
Many places around the world began to get rid of it and switch to planet-friendly alternatives. Now, when you get your weekly food shopping, you may find yourself bringing reusable bags or using paper bags. But, paper bags are still a single-use item, so what can you do with them after it has served their purpose?
Take it to a recycling center
Paper bags can be donated to different recycling centers and turned into other paper products. Depending on where you live, you may have a curbside recycling service. If this service has not arrived where you are, there are still plenty of places that will take your paper waste.
Supermarkets are getting in on the act and are recycling paper bags for their customers. If you are unsure about where you can recycle your bags, just search for your local center and start collecting that paper waste.
Donate to a school
Paper bags are wonderfully versatile as they can be reused for other purposes, including arts and crafts in school. A lot of schools have problems with funding and getting art resources, so they are always grateful for donations that they can use for school projects.
From paper crowns to paper footballs, the only limit of what they can be used for is your imagination. If you are not sure if your local school will accept donations of recycling or equipment, give them a call and see what type of help they will accept. They might take more than just your paper recycling.
Donate to a garden group
There has been a huge uptake in the number of people who garden now. Even within cities, empty lots have been turned into city gardens for local communities to share. The paper bags themselves can be a great addition to a compost heap, especially if they are packed with kitchen scraps and vegetable peelings.
Keep your paper bags handy in the kitchen and drop biodegradable kitchen waste into the bag. Over time, these bags help to make free compost for gardening groups. In the right conditions, paper bags can degrade in around 6 to 8 weeks.
Give to a shelter charity
When people are having a tough time, there are charities and help groups that they can turn to for help. Unfortunately, these charities run on donations in order to help others. Most of the time, they get the donations that they need so that people have the essentials. However, they need something to pack these items in. This is where your paper bag donation comes in handy. By donating your old bags, you can help the charity keep costs down. It can also make life easier for everyone involved as it can allow volunteers to make up bags of toiletries and other items in advance.
