Garbage bags and other plastic bags are still a huge problem for our environment. That's why today I'm going to show you one way you can fold plastic free garbage bags can. I'm going to give you a simple folding tutorial that will allow you to turn an old newspaper into a garbage bag. You don't need glue either. An old newspaper is the only thing you need to fold trash bags out of newsprint. Let's go!
Why fold plastic-free garbage bags?
One trillion plastic bags. That's the estimated number of plastic bags used worldwide each year. 90% of them end up in landfills. The average European citizen uses about 500 plastic bags. If you count only the garbage bags, you get about 176. In Germany, 10,000 plastic bags are consumed every minute.₁ As you can see, it is urgently time for something to change. The Zero Waste Lifestyle is already more than just a trend. And this DIY tutorial for your garbage bags from newspaper are an important part of it.
Folding garbage bags from newspaper - how to do it
1) First unfold two layers of newspaper.
2) Fold the short side of the newsprint inward enough to make a square. Then fold the upper left edge to the opposite side.
3) You can cut off the excess newspaper with scissors. When you bend the square, you should now have a triangle.
4) Fold a point onto the opposite side of the newsprint.
5) Take two layers of the paper and fold it upwards. Put the tips in the resulting "pocket".
6) Turn the newsprint over. Repeat the process on the other side.
7) This is how it should look in the end.
8) Finally, you can fold the ends of the bottom of the bag, so that the bag can stand well. Done!
Folding garbage bags from newspaper is easy!
As you could see, it's quite easy to fold garbage bags from newspaper. By the way, the DIY garbage bags can also be used for the Compost be used. Newspaper inks are now free of heavy metals and water-insoluble₂ (except for magazines). If you are already folding plastic-free garbage bags, you can also use them for other things. For example, to carry nuts, fruits, vegetables or other food in the supermarket. You can also use newsprint use for wrapping gifts.
Have you ever folded your trash bag from newspaper or do you have questions and suggestions for the DIY tutorial? Then write me a comment.
Best regards and have fun trying it out,
PS: Do you want to learn even more about how to plastic free living can? Then click on the linked article!
References:
₁ http://berlintuetwas.de/zahlen-und-fakten-zu-plastiktueten
₂ https://www.lfu.bayern.de/buerger/doc/uw_31_kompostierung_umsetzung.pdf
Hello Lara,
I don't save money, but at least I save more plastic when I use compostable bags.
That's reason enough for me to reach for alternative pouches.
Hi Carola, unfortunately compostable bags are also not compostable in the way it says on the packaging. Also, these bags usually belong in the plastic garbage, as they cause trouble in the utilities. The garbage bag made of newspaper is therefore a good alternative. You can just give it a try 🙂 .
Stay clean,
Christoph
Hello Tabea. I think your idea of avoiding plastic bags is basically good. However, the size of the bag does not convince me at all. M. E. much too small, or I'm doing something wrong. ???♀️
Then I prefer to take a newspaper page - unfolded - put the waste on it (potato peel etc.) and then crumple it up for the garbage can. ?
Hello Corinna,
Thanks for your comment 🙂 In fact, the garbage bags are relatively small. The advantage to them is just that you can easily compost them. If you're looking for a bigger alternative, there are also some options. For example, some use toilet paper packaging (if you buy the regular one from the supermarket). A friend of mine always picks up clean plastic bags lying around on the sidewalk on her way home (when you start paying attention, you only notice how many there are) and uses them as garbage bags. Otherwise, there are also compostable garbage bags made of corn starch (https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0050BZRAM/?th=1&psc=1).
Love greetings
Tabea
Hey, the compostable ones are at least not suitable for household/residual waste, i.e. everything that is not composted but picked up, because they are sorted out and burned in the waste incinerators as normal plastic bags 🙂 So you can save the money 🙂
Love greetings
Lara
Hello Tabea, I find your page super and have tried to craft the garbage bags. Unfortunately, I failed quite... Either I'm doing something wrong or it does not work, in any case, the inserted corners slip out with me constantly. Even when the bag is empty, the corners suddenly slip out again and the bag falls apart. Also, I don't understand what you mean by "folding the ends of the bottom of the bag". Which ends fold over and how? The bag doesn't actually have a "bottom", it just stands on one edge. Even if I squeeze it a bit, it doesn't turn into a bottom so that the bag stands. In your last picture, I also find it a bit confusing that you can't see the opening of the bag.
Can you help me?
Thank you and best regards
Gina
Hi Gina, thanks for your comment 🙂 If you flatten the bottom (what you call the edge) a bit from the inside, the bag will stand better. You can then also try pressing lightly into the center of the bottom with your fingers from the other side of the bottom (from the outside). If the bag still does not stand, you can try it with a layer of more newspaper, then the bag is altogether thicker. This also ensures that the corners do not slip out of the "bag". Alternatively, you can leave the cut edge on the newspaper from the front and just click it around so that the newspaper is a square from the beginning. This also makes the bag more stable.
Love greetings
Tabea
Nice idea. But unfortunately just fitting the cosmetic bin when I take a normal newspaper. Even if it would be big enough for the kitchen garbage, it is not risky in winter what fly and maggots then in the gray garbage cans. Is yes then nothing closed and there is almost risk with kitchen waste but large
Hi Tabea, I would sew the bag, put several double sides on half, sew up the long side, bottom too, Then press bottom in a bit and put an extra layer of newspaper in. When full, roll up the top. Lg Gabi
Hi Gabi! Thanks for your feedback and tips! We'll give it a try 🙂
Many greetings
Christoph
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