Paper bag day: 5 ways you can use paper bags

Every year July 12 is observed as paper bag day. This day is celebrated to raise awareness among people about the ill effects of plastic on our environment and to promote the usage of paper bags. 

There is a ban on single-use plastic items in India from July 1, 2022. Paper bags can replace single-use plastic bags. They are the most sought-after alternatives to plastic bags and are our future as, unlike plastic bags, paper bags don't take years to decompose, nor cause environmental pollution.

Here are some ways you can use your paper bags:

Pack belongings

Paper bags are really helpful to pack items properly to reduce the chances of breakage.They protect delicate items from breaking and ensure the items don't move around. It's really helpful to use paper bags for packing especially while travelling with delicate items. You can also shred the paper bag and use it for filler material.

Store vegetables

Vegetables like onion and garlic can be stored for months in paper bags. You can do so by punching holes in the paper bag. This will allow the air to circulate. Fill the bag half full with either onions or garlic and fold over the top. Put the bags in a cool, dry place. This will keep your veggies absolutely fresh.

Make compost

Paper bags are a source of carbon that is considered to have brown compost material. You can simply shred the paper bag into small pieces and add them to your compost pile. You can also use your paper bag to collect items for composting. 

Freshen stale bread

If your bread has gotten stale, you can freshen it up by placing the loaf of bread or buns in a paper bag. You can do so by putting a little bit of water on the paper bag and then popping it in the oven. By doing so the bag creates a steaming effect that will moisten the stale bread.

Cover books

Paper bags can be used to cover books. They are great for covering textbooks and books from damage. They can also be used for art, craft and decoration.