DIY Sanitary Disposal Bags ("Upcycled")

Intro: DIY Sanitary Disposal Bags ("Upcycled")

First of all, I apologize for using 'upcycled' and 'sanitary disposal' in one sentence. But bear with me.

The ladies in my office needed sanitary disposal bags (SDB from now on), and since I do the ordering, I didn't want to waste money on such a frivolous thing. Even though we have a waste receptacle, the custodians were squeamish about seeing feminine products in the feminine product trash can..... So, time for a solution. We had old magazines and regular office supplies, so I cobbled them together to make these simple, 1-minute tops SDBs.

Supplies Needed:
Old Magazine
Razor blade/box cutter/scissor
Scissor (if not used in prior step)
Tape
Stapler

Difficulty Level: Easy
Time from start to finish: 1-2 minutes

STEP 1: Cut Out Pages

Cut out pages from the old magazine. I used Elle. You can really use any scrap paper, but it should be around 8 1/2" x 11".

STEP 2: Fold the Page(s)

I usually fold a bunch, but here's just one for an example. Fold it in half, then make about a 1/2" fold on that fold. (If you make it more than 1/2" or 3/4", it will be difficult to open/fill.) I've shown that I did it on an angle, but you can do it straight up or down. I find the angle gives more room at the top for inserting items into the bag.

Cut a half circle or trapezoid (whatever floats your boat) into the top of one side. This is so you can easily open it. I do mine about 1-1/2" to 2" at the deepest point.

Then invert the fold so you have a "valley fold."

STEP 3: Staple & Tape

Fold up the bottom (other end from the semi-circle/trapezoid) about 1/2" and staple twice.

Use about 5-6" of tape on the open side. It does not need to go all the way to the top or bottom - in fact, I recommend it especially doesn't go all the way to the top. (It makes it easier to fill the bag with your 'goodies'.)

STEP 4: Finished!

All done! These are easy and handy, and great if you have to deal with squeamish adult males.

Comments

[quintailbay2]

Good idea, but it doesn't get rid of the STANK.

[TN777]

I will be making these, definetly.

[TN777]

I think those custodians need to grow up.

[omicronomicron]

this is great... subject is brave too, well done! It reminds me of my Gran, who showed me, in the days of OUTSIDE toilets, so you had to walk through a living-room/kitchen full of people, how to wrap the pad in newspaper, neatly and make it small enough to put it under one armpit! then with it held carefully by the arm held pressed , elbow to waist, it was easy to walk past, chatting, and then out to the dustbins - old zinc ones in a 'midden.' Or even to the open fire, to be placed in the flames when the menfolk were distratced by gran or mum, for five minutes.That way, no embarrasment was caused, there was no skin contact with the pad itself, no-one noticed etc etc. To this day, (menopause long over) I carry things in my bra... mobile phone, for example, held in the bit closest to armpit... it has now become my [pocket for anything small I don't want to lose, and a few times at Christmas, I've smuggled small gifts held under my arm (ie not IN bra but just pinned to my side) through rooms where children are excitedly waiting for the Big Day... so , ladies - grim or not, that was how we did it, way back then. !!! Your envelopes are better than a quick wrap up with scrumpled-up paper (so it wouldn't make a sound!)... I'd love to see more Ibles on how people cope with such things, a subject often left out, don't you find? Thanks for this interesting Ible and for evoking such memories!

[Jakwiebus]

hahaha
awesome. and then you put a poster on the toilet door about how to fold one :) so every toilet visitor can fold one :-)