Easily Store And Dispense Plastic Bags With A Clever Cardboard Box Trick

As we all know, plastic bags are bad for the environment. They take a long time to break down in landfills and harm sea life. For those trying to reduce their carbon footprint and save the planet, reducing the amount of plastic bags used and reusing those they already have is typically a popular approach. However, the problem is that collections of grocery bags can build up quickly, and finding a place to store them while still maintaining easy access is tricky. While there are store-bought solutions like the IKEA VARIERA dispenser for $4, buying these synthetic products only adds to the landfill issue. Fortunately, there's a DIY trick that upcycles recyclables into a shopping bag holder that's similar to the IKEA dispenser.

Our Sweet Mom on YouTube neatly stores plastic bags with one common household item – a cardboard box. By cutting holes in the carton and covering it in decorative paper, she transforms trash into a useful organizing tool. The satchels are stuffed inside and tugged out through the holes as needed. This storage solution is easy to refill and incredibly lightweight. Hang it near the door or place it in a cabinet so you're never without a bag when you need one. Check out how to make your own using some items you probably already have in your home.

If you're looking for smart ways to repurpose cardboard boxes after a move, this is one great idea you could try. Before starting, you'll need to collect some supplies. Gather together a rectangular cardboard box, an X-acto knife, hot glue, white glue, and your preferred decorations. You can pick up a package of colorful construction paper from Dollar Tree for $1.25. If you want something a little more durable, consider covering the package in fabric. Dollar Tree sells 18-inch by 21-inch pieces of material in assorted designs for $1.25. You could also use a few coats of acrylic paint instead. With your acquired supplies, it's time to try this trick for yourself.

Start this helpful hack for storing plastic shopping bags by drawing two to three equal-sized circles on three of the four sides of your chosen box. You can use a lid as a template and cut them out carefully. Seal up one small end of the box with hot glue. Next, cover the interior and exterior in paper or fabric and attach it with white glue or cover it with paint. Once dry, draw an 'X' on the material covering each hole and cut along the marking. Fold the material back into the box and glue it in place. Add any decorative details you want like ribbon trim, fill the container with bags, hang it with something like Command strips, and voila — a handmade dispenser for your plastic bags. With this trick, you can feel good about upcycling trash into something new while keeping your bags in one easy-to-access spot.