Make your own plastic tote bag from recycled plastic bags

Have you ever wanted to do something with all those plastic bags from the market? Maybe you don't have a recycling center that will take them near you. With a little time and creativity you can make some pretty cool stuff like this big tote bag.

I know that this may not be the first on this subject but maybe I can share some ideas not covered by others.

If you like my effort here please take time to rate it.

Step 1 What you will need to get started

You will need a ton of bags. I think I counted 30 bags by the time I was done with the tote bag. You will need an iron that can be set to low heat and some scissors, aluminum foil and something hard and flat. I used plywood.

Comments

[recycle plastic]

This is certainly creative! Recycling plastic products is great for the environment but as stated earlier be careful around the birds. I am wondering what do people use this for primarily? I know that looks are not everything but id like to hear what are the most common uses for these bags. Ill start ( this is speculative since I haven't personally made these yet) I think Id use them to organize some of my loose items in the garage. ( like my cleaner, towels etc. Perhaps put some of my camping gear in there. Also have you tested the strength? It would be nice to know approx how many pounds these can hold. Anyhow thanks for sharing and keep up the recycling!

[lsutter]

Need more instruction on this step please? Also is there a way to make the bag more square rather than flat?

[dmesser]

If you have birds in your home, be sure to do this in an area where they won't be exposed to the vapors at all. The fumes from plastic fusing can kill your birds.

[CAP55]

Hi: Just curious, what are you using to fuse besides an iron and foil? Gosh, no one wants to kill the birds............ Is there another method?

[dmesser]

I still use an iron and foil. Just be sure to do this away from the birds in your home and in a room that is ventilated to the outside air. That's just a good practice, even for yourself.

Sorry for the delay. I've been away for quite a while...

[gjenkins]

I'd been saving empty cereal bags waiting for a something interesting to do and your project inspired me. I used a method I saw on youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtB2c6pdUOU)and just cut the tops and bottoms off of 4 layers of walmart bags for each side. I placed pieces of a Steve & Barry's bag to fill on the clear window on the cereal bags and to make the bottom (with about 3 layers of the walmart bag btwn two pieces of S&B bag). I also cut out the cereal name and kangaroo and placed them inside the window as well. With an iron set on 3, I fused the pieces between sheets of parchment and used thick cardboard instead of wood. I used your no sew method to fuse the bags together and used bag scraps to fuse the handle on the bag. Fun project, next time I'll try it with gift wrap, newspaper or post cards. Thanks for a great instructable! Now we have a cool storage item for the kitchen.

[KittyF]

It'd be great if instead of just a few pics you'd actually make an instructible for this so we could see what you did.

[user669]

That's a great lookin bag you made! Thanks for posting!

[josephine L. de Guzman]

thanks for this bag. for now, i hane my project in science

[cantthinkof bettername]

I use plastic bags as trash can liners.

[nax]

I do too, but since I'm more careful about recycling than I am about making sure I have a tote when I get groceries I end up with more bags than I need for trash can liners.

So this might be fun.

[livegrooveknit]

is that a real dollar bill fused in the top photo? how fun to think of things to fuse inside. i am a knitter so i could fuse in lots of little bits of yarn left from other projects. and i am going to have my kids draw all over the bags with sharpies before i fuse the layers. i don't know where you guys find such groovy-looking bags though. the ones i see here and there are all uggo. i have a goal of never bringing another plasty nasty into my house but i still have a small stash i am trying to use up productively.

[Blueboyx31]

I tried a small version of this before venturing into the bigger bag. The project was quick and fun. thanks for posting.

[user669]

Wow that blue looks really good! Now when I am at the store and see bags of bright colors I try to think what it would look like fused together! Thanks for sharing Blueboyx31! It made my day to see someone else's bag!!

[Lance Mt.]

After seeing this, i am now commited to making one.

[Lance Mt.]

(Quake/Unreal announcer) Unnnn-stoppable! GOD-LIKE

[CAP55]

I will be posting my plastic bag idea reallllllll soon............. you all inspired me!!!!

[CAP55]

'I just want to say that these items are absolutely wonderful and you people are so talented. Could someone tell me how to fuse the bags if not with an iron? God bless you all. I love this website..........

Carol

[bacaboi]

I Fused these bags together. I used a nicer bag for the outermost layer, and a black bag for the handle and border.

[mkmstrings]

Nice!!

[bacaboi]

and this was a test. My aunt wanted me to make one since she uses the plain eco friendly bags from the grocerie store. She wanted something different.

[user669]

That looks really good! I'm sure your aunt will be vary happy with her new bag!

[headlessbubble]

mine didn't turn out as good as yours but this is a great idea! thanks

[vyki]

I love this idea and will definately be trying it!

[KJS]

Hey! Nice instructable, and great idea :) I was wondering how long-lasting it is?

[user669]

It's very strong and will last a long time unless you over abuse it.

[KJS]

Okay, thanks! Then I'll have to make one :)

[user669]

Thanks everyone for the comments. I wanted to share a bag that was made with fusing and thread. I like this bag because the maker used the logos in a stylish manner. Check out the targets... With a little time and skill you can really get great results like eclipse_etc's bag.

[eclipsed]

Wow! I just joined instructables a couple days ago, I am looking around at some tutes and I found a picture of my bag! Thanks for the compliments user669. (I am eclipse_etc on Flickr)

[user669]

I didn't want people to think that they all turned out as ugly as mine did! lol Welcome to Instructables!

[mtjohnson6]

OK...all was good up until step 9. You did a whole lot of stuff, but only supplied a few words. It was hard for me to determine what you had done by just looking at the pics. I can see the wood in the pic, but I have NO idea what you are doing with it...Are you ironing on it? HELP I want to make one of these, but my "remedial" mind is having a hard time processing step 9. :(

[philipwholland]

i had the idea that you should use the equivalent of the type of seam that is used on the legs of jeans, but instead use melting instead of sewing, and then, of course, turn it inside out so that the seam is more aesthetically pleasing.

[user669]

Hi, Sorry I lost you on step 9. I placed the wood where I wanted the inside edge of the bag to be. The wood is acting as a guide to help keep the sides straight. Without the wood there I found it hard to fuse the inside edges nice and even. I use the wood on both right and left side of the bag. I am not ironing on the wood but along the side of the wood on the outer edge. Hope this helps!!

[mtjohnson6]

Thanks...I am a little closer to seeing the light...OK..can you post a picture of just the sides of the bag?? That would be a TREMENDOUS help. If I could see that, I could then figure out the rest, sorry but I tend to be a visual learner... Thanks...

[user669]

From what angle would you like the photo?

[mtjohnson6]

Just of the sides as you are holding it up in your hands and one of the sides taken from the inside. Thanks...

[limpach]

Is that a symbol off a "Piggly Wigglys" bag?

[ihaveapuppy]

I LOVE this! Easy to follow (I don't know if you updated after the other folks read it, but it's totally simple!), cute, and fun! I tried weaving the strips... didn't turn out so well; it got kinda chunky, but I might have just had the iron too warm. Thanks for the great instructable!

[aeal121]

I tried this. Thanks for the thorough instructions. I pretty much read through it and then improvised a few things for myself. I added side panels on my tote bag so that it holds more. Also, instead of doing the final exterior layer in white plastic, it looks much better to iron on one large sheet of clear plastic from a dry cleaners bag to seal the designs on. I cut yellow triangles out of the one yellow plastic bag that I had as the exterior pattern and it turned out great with the clear layer on top. I also used the big red star from a Macy's bag as part of the design. Another bit of advice, kick up the temperature of the iron to fuse the thick parts together (the sides to the body of the bag, the handles) because it's much quicker. Beware, this project took me three hours to complete by myself. WAY longer than I expected but it was fun and I love my new bag. I got comments on it at the grocery today! Definitely worth trying!

[BeadSpinner]

I like that... just one more thing for me to try - not enough hours in a day!