By Gracie Dogramaci, Sidwell Friends School
Although plastic bags are modern luxuries that we seem to be unable to live without, they bring serious repercussions to our environment. The aforementioned problems include the use of precious resources, the annihilation of habitats and species, and water, air and soil pollution. As time passes, the plastic breaks up into smaller pieces, called microplastic, which pollutes ecosystems and our environment. Plastic does not biodegrade, meaning that it does not break down completely. The plastic continues to become smaller until fragments remain, of which remain in the environment. These pieces can be transported through water and air, and can be ingested by organisms. Plastic bags can be helpful to both consumers and retailers, but about “a hundred billion plastic bags are used every year in the US alone” (Plastic Bag Pollution ). While choosing to use reusable cloth bags is best, if you do end up with plastic bags, there are many ways to reuse them to keep the plastic out of the environment.
While you can find many fun ways to reuse plastic bags online, the majority of the end-products shed off microplastic over time. The idea presented here describes how to weave plastic bags into a basket. In order to avoid rain and sun breaking down the bags over time and allowing it to shed off microplastic, it is recommended that these baskets be used inside. This craft requires thread, sewing needles, and about 50 plastic bags, with grocery bags being the easiest to weave. The first step in this craft is to make about 60 ft of braided plastic bag rope. In order to make the rope, cut each plastic bag down the sides, and cut off the handles, making a large rectangle. Next, cut the rectangle into 3 strips, then braid the three strips together. Do this for every plastic bag, and sew the ends together creating a long braided rope which should amount to about 60 ft. Once the rope is complete, start coiling the rope while keeping the braid flat. After reaching a desired size for the base of the basket, take a needle and thread and sew two perpendicular lines across the bottom, making an “X”. Next, start wrapping the rope around the base, building the sides of the basket. After wrapping the rope a few times, secure those wraps by pushing the needle through every other wrap, sewing your basket together. Do this until you have reached a desired height. You have now completed your braided plastic bag basket!
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