What materials can I use to make an environmentally friendy bag?

Question

I'm making a reusable bag aimed at teenagers and young adults for my Textiles GCSE. I was wondering what materials I could use which would be strong, but at the same time, not harmful to the environment.

Answer 1

We have several large dogs & get feed in 50-lb woven plastic bags. I have made several grocery "totes" using this material. I joined seams either with duct table or heavy duty staples covered with duct tape. They are super-strong. The same woven plastic maerial is readily available in farm areas, as all kind of feed now comes in thie type of bag. It is similar to the woven plastic tarp material, but not as thick or densely woven (it does fray).  

Answer 2

1. Re-use jeans, shirts, drapes, or flour and rice sacks.

2. Remnants that would be thrown away.

3. Hemp, organic cotton, or tensil.

Answer 3

Use used blue jeans.  They are perfect for making bags with.  You get a nice sized bag, and the handy pockets from the jeans to put small things, like cell phones into.  Nearly everyone has a pair of old jeans or two in their closet (especially teenagers who outgrow them, before they wear them out).

Pretty easy too.  Basically cut the jeans off like you are making cut off shorts.  Then cut them in half, so you end up with the rear (butt area) of the jeans, and the front (pelvis area) of the jeans as two separate pieces.

Then take one of the legs, cut a long wide strip out of it, and use it to sew the two rear, and front of the jeans back together.  The wider the strip you use, the more room their will be in the bag to hold items.  

Use the other leg to cut strips, and sew handles, which can be attached in a varriety of ways.

If well sewn this is a VERY sturdy bag, and good for either s*x.  

~Garnet

Permaculture homsteading/farming over 20 years

Answer 4

Hemp is one of the best....it's environmentally safe and very strong. Many grocery stores here in Texas are starting to use them.

Answer 5

I would say that since you are making something meant to help the environment, you might as well go all the way and find all sorts of cloth from clothes you no longer wear.  Or ask neighbors, etc. for the same.  You can take whatever pieces you want and make your bag that way.  It will keep old clothes from going into a landfill, and it would give your bad a lot of flair.  If you make a bag from virgin materials (things that have never been made into anything) it's a great gesture, but not as green as saving other material from a landfill.

I heard blue jeans with the legs cut off make great bags, yet I have virtually no experience sewing so what do I know :P

Sounds interesting.  Good luck!

Answer 6

If you truely want to be eco freindly look for cast offs or other materials that would otherwise find it's way to the landfill. You can get very creative, things like jeans from thritstores that can't be sold, old tents or tarps, do you know anyone who parachutes or hot air balloons?  

Answer 7

I enjoy making reusable grocery bags by melting plastic bags together. It produces a strong, water resistance surface. Just be sure to put the plastic between wax paper sheets, and melt with iron on low heat. 3-4 layers make a nice sturdy side.