How can I reuse or recycle … bulk-buy rice bags?
We’ve had an email from unsteadyocean:
I was just wondering if anyone has suggestions for reusing the cloth bags that bulk rice comes in? I’ve seen suggestions for making them into tote bags but I would love to get more ideas.
Around here, they tend to be plastic-coated cloth or just plastic – but either way, ripe for re-using.
So any suggestions?
(Photo by kirsche222)
Sew on some handles and you’ve got a new recyclable grocery bag. You may even be able to use one bag (folded and sewn) to make the handles for another.
We use the zippered burlap kind to hold plastic grocery bags so we can re-use them.
The zipper is great too because it keeps the plastic contained while the bag is in the trunk.
The single loop makes hanging it in the kitchen a breeze as well.
We’ve also been known to use them for trick-or-treat bags
I think these would make great play aprons for messy play activities, especially if they are plastic lined. Also, you could make baby bibs or burp cloths out of them–cut to size and bind with bias tape. How about changing pads for on the road?
If they are all fabric (no plastic) and the design/label is interesting, you could use them in quilts.
One could stuff them to make floor cushions.
Or cut them into rectangles, sew on a fabric border and have unique placemats.
Make a purse?
http://everythingatonce.wordpress.com/2007/01/03/royal-rice-purse/
Give them to people with allotments, so they can store potatoes in them. It’s been a good year for spuds and I’m running out of bags to keep all mine in!
We have used them to make children’s playhouses. We have cut the bottom or top off, so that it can slip over a frame built of PVC pipe. We then but doors and holes for windows. Many childcare centers use them for reading corners or time-out spaces.
Ours are 3′ x 4′ so they are big enough to fit 3-4 small children in.
Build a house with them! Yes! They can be filled with dirt and then laid like sandbags and rendered over. Look up “earthbag building”
for more info :o
ahhhh now i got one you could fill it with dirt and grow trees or plants in them.
If they are burlap, you can use them to cover your garden when the meteo is broadcasting subzero temp. It happens sometimes at night in the summer (well here in Canada it does). Keeps your plants from freezing.
S
they make great biodegradable weed mats. just place them over your weeds/grass and cover with mulch. eventually they break down but by that time all the weed seeds have died.
I have people that would like to purchase large cloth rice bags. One of their uses is as game bags as well as Hawaiian themed clothing/purses. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU WISH TO SELL SOME CLOTH RICE BAGS.
Thank You
They look big enough to make under bed storage bags. Maybe they might work as groundsheets / sitters for camping.
I would be interested in buying some rice bags if you have some to
sell. Please email what you have.
I have several rice bags that I’d like to give away. Please contact me at: xmaniac1x [at] gmail.com
All I ask is shipping for the bags (at least the first time), and since I purchase rice every month, once I collect a few, I can send them to you again if you’re still interested.
Thanks!
Do note that these are small rice bags (company: Zafarani + Royal) and are made out of burlap.
What is the size of the bags?, and how much would the postage be? thank you.
Sorry forgot to say postage cost to England.
I recently read an article that recommended packing them as tightly as possible with plastic grocery bags, sewing them closed, drawing a bullseye on them, and using them for targets for bow & arrows. I thought that was pretty ingenius!
Just been trying to prep a few big rice bags for a backing for a rag rug, but have plastic lining, washing helps and lots of pulling bits off….may not be worth it in the long run