Don't Throw Out Your Fruit Bags Until You Try One Creative Garden Hack

Mesh fruit bags are a common kitchen item you should repurpose and reuse instead of tossing. They're hard, if not impossible, to recycle, but they have tons of potential uses. Maybe you've crumpled one up for a dish scrubber or used one in the bathroom as an exfoliator. The next time you're in possession of a large bag of oranges or onions, borrow more than the bag's scrubbing power. Hone in on its holding capabilities and open weave. These two qualities make fruit bags ideal for hanging plants, since the material cuts easily to move plants in and out, and excess water can drain out the bottom of the bags. Instagrammer @Sunilassweethome shows us a rainbow of mesh fruit bags filled with plants. They secured each end of the bags with a sturdy knot, made a hole in the side of each bag for the plant, and hung them all from hooks on a tree. The results look lovely swaying in their yard.

Let's take this idea and add even more eco-friendliness. Rethink common household items you can turn into beautiful planters; small lightweight containers like plastic bottles and aluminum cans with added drainage holes are ideal candidates. Also, stop using wire clothes hangers in your closet: Instead, bend them into a hook that holds the bags and also provides climbing space for vining plants. Gather up a supply of potential trash, and end up with a clever — and free — hanging planter.

Start with a mesh produce bag that is in decent condition — the larger the better. Make a knot at the top and the bottom of the bag for a secure hold, and locate a container that will fit inside the bag with enough room for the plant not to conflict with the bag. An upcycled clear plastic bottle works great for propagating, and a repurposed yogurt or sour cream container with drainage holes poked in the bottom will hold soil and a plant perfectly. Snip a hole in one side of the bag where you can slide the container in and out.

To hang your planters, take a wire coat hanger, and pull the long end down until its body is no wider than the hook at the top. Squeeze the hanger body until it's as narrow as you can make it. Bend the very bottom of the hanger upwards like a hook, and either slide the hook through the mesh or hang the planter from the hook with a repurposed twist tie.

Note that the bags won't survive long outdoors when they're exposed to the elements. Additionally, sunlight breaks down plastics into tiny fragments and releases many other potentially harmful toxins in the process. Make your creation last as long as possible and maintain eco-responsibility by hanging these planters inside. Protect your floors from falling soil or water overflow by slipping the perforated plant containers inside another slightly larger repurposed plastic tub that will catch any spillage. If you decide to hang your planters outdoors, double up the bags, and if possible, hang it in a shaded area.