Every year billions of plastic store bags and plastic wrappers are thrown in the garbage where they will take years to break down in our landfills. Although we are seeing more of an effort to recycle bags, it’s estimated that only 1% of plastic store bags are recycled.

There are many ways we can help to solve this problem. Many stores now have a recycling box near the front entrance where bags can be disposed of and recycled. Low cost reusable shopping bags can be used to reduce the amount of plastic bags being used. If you can carry items, ask the clerk not to place them in a bag. Bags can be reused around the house as waste paper liners for small garbage cans, packaging to protect breakable items or light weight filling for boxes being shipped and they can also be used to make a rug.

Making a rug from plastic bags is a quick and easy project. If you can make a chain and can single or double crochet, you can make a rug. Here’s how I did it:

Using clean bags only, cut off the bottom and the top/handles of each bag and discard.
Cut each bag into strips, about 1 1/4” wide, cutting the bags from side to side. Strips cut to narrow will break.
Connect the “rings” of plastic using the No Sew Join #2. (See link below for more instructions.)
I like to join a few of the "rings" together, crochet, join a few "rings" together, crochet..., but if you’d like, you can join all of the "rings" together and roll them into a ball.

Using a large crochet hook, chain until you have reached the desired width of your rug. A size P crochet hook works well – but any size close to this can be used.

Start crocheting! You can use a single crochet, double crochet, what ever stitch is your favorite. Crochet until you have reached the desired length for you rug.

Rugs made from plastic bags are soft and have a lot of cushion. They can be washed with a hose or in the sink and hung up to dry. Avoid placing in very hot or very cold locations.

I purchased my crochet hook at a local craft store. They can also be found online at amazon.com.

Enjoy your rug!
Find a Size P (10mm), 8 inch Plastic Crochet Hook at amazon.com