PLASTIC STORAGE BAGS TRASH TO TREASURE

 Regular readers know that I have a favorite place to look for bargains...our downstairs trash area!  Our building has trash chutes on every floor and they feed into a separate room, but for boxes and other things that people can't put in the chute, there is an area (indoor) near the loading dock where people can put the things they don't want.  I've found several cool items over the last couple of years.

Here is one of the latest! 

I always try to snag these when someone puts some out, especially the big ones like these.  They are the bags that new pillows, comforters, etc come in.  Someone put these out a couple weeks ago...seems they probably got a whole new bedroom set as there were four pillow sized bags, one large comforter sized bag and a smaller one that had a sheet set in it. 

The higher end brands usually have really nice bags (as these did).  Sturdy handles, wire reinforcements around the edges, and are made of a thicker, heavy duty plastic.  These even had two zippers like a suitcase.  you can also flip the insert card over (or make your own) for labeling what's inside.

So how do we use them?

Much like their original use...

Of course we put quilts and blankets in them...

Unused pillows in the ones that are pillow sized...

They also work great for our crocheted afghans and other things that are seasonal.  We use smaller ones in the kitchen storage bench with dishtowels in them.  They are probably not mouse proof, I'm sure if they wanted in they could chew through them, ha, but they are at least mouse resistant because after a few years, so far so good.  Of course we usually keep these (as the ones above) on top shelves in the closets.  Oh and we put pieces of cedar in them, as necessary, for moths.

The smaller ones we use in other places.  A container in the living room has one filled with plain white emergency candles in case the power goes out.  2nd Man uses another one to store computer cables and cords.  They really have many uses to stay organized.

We'll take 'em and keep them out of the landfill.