Make your own plastic tote bag from recycled plastic bags

Step 7 Fuse the layers together

Now we are ready to fuse the layers of plastic bags strips together creating a new purpose for old bags.

Carefully cover the main area of the project with two pieces of foil that match the size of the first two.
You will want the edges to remain unfused so we can join the two sides by fusing later.

Alright lets take that low heat iron and starting at one end move the iron over the foil in a pattern that applies heat to all areas you have the foil over.

As the plastic cools it will shrink a little. the shrinkage will cause bunching but you can fight the bunching by applying pressure with your flat object (plywood in my case) right after the heat is applied. Remember that too much heat is not good as it will create burn thru holes and unless your going for that crispy look you will want to avoid this.

once the top is complete and your graphics are sealed in you should flip your project over and run the iron over the opposite side.

Comments

[DELETED_ZiggityFluff]

(removed by author or community request)

[user669]

Hi ZiggityFluff! I think that I am going to use parchment paper in the future because it's translucent enough that you can see what you are doing thru it.

[jabshort1]

To those who may be thinking of heating plastic bags... Please be sure to do this either outside, or in a VERY well ventilated area. Very volatile and toxic chemicals are released from heating plastic bags. Do not inhale the vapors released from them.

[jaydeechick]

I have to strongly agree with you. I had a friend pass away from a form of lung cancer. He was dairy farmer, and a non smoker. He used to collect a truck load of old bread from the bread factory to feed to his stock when other food was short. He would then burn the bread bags in the paddock. He suffered the consequences and is no longer with us. Each to their own, but this is one instructable I won't be trying. The fumes from melting/burning plastic can and do kill!!!

[Bom6at]

With all due respect to the memory of your friend, I doubt that the lung cancer is incontrovertibly due to burning bread bags. I wouldn't deny the possibility of it being a contributory factor...

[user669]

This project is a far cry from standing over a pit of burning plastic bags every Friday night chugging milk and wiffing plastic smoke. If your plastic bags start to smoke then stop what your doing and leave the area. Check your iron to make sure it's on the lowest setting.

[user669]

I agree. As with any project, painting, cutting plywood, etc. you have to take precautions. Thanks for bringing this up. When making this project open a window. You might say to yourself that you can't smell any fumes but there are some there.

[artist without a medium]

So here are a few facts....the MSDS sheets " Materials Safety Data Sheets" companies have to have available only say temperatures 450 or above cause Carcinogenic fumes.( I used to work in a factory where we extruded at high temperatures compounds such as PVC .) On the few occassions temperatures became to high ( causing actual smoke ) we were forced to evacuate premises til back under control and aired out. **So far their is no data listed nor available on any long term effects . So as long as safety measures are followed. My turned out hideous.