This is SUCH a Better Use for Plastic Bags

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A few months back we experimented with ironing plastic bags into sheet material, which worked great and we made a couple of card wallets. But we wanted to go bigger and really test the capabilities of this 'plastic leather'. In this video, we made two big sheets, around 8-10 layers thick. Then we tried our very best to make it as strong as possible to see if could hold our weight as a piece of furniture.
We'd love to hear your ideas for other uses for this material. Drop us a comment below and maybe we'll use your idea in a future video. Thanks for watching! 🤙🏽
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[@BrothersMake]

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[@HomerJade]

I would love to see you guy convert this into a collapsible beach chair, it would be even more useful 😍👏

[@BrothersMake]

@@HomerJade That's a great idea!

[@peterconstant3762]

Just a simple idea for your shop, what about shopping trolley tokens cheap as chips. Love your videos therapeutic.👍

[@eveyep432]

Your work is awesome and helps nature

[@dtc989]

How about a portable shade for a tiny house patio, or a travel trailer/RV? Chair covers for wood or metal patio furniture? a portable table umbrella? Just some ideas...you guys are great!

[@thelmabirt7626]

I've said it once before my friends, Welcome to the Dark side! I've been using plastic bags for years to convert into "fabric". Ince did a fashion line using juice piuches and melted bags for our after school child care's fashion show. Been looping bags and crocheting to make "plarn mats" for homeless and our Boy Scout troop for tent mats to wipe their feet. Amazing multi use plastic. Even made HDPE mallet heads to help in my woodworking. I hope you guys have at least been nominated for a humanitarian award! Always look forward to your videos!!

[@beebuzz959]

You rock!!!!!

[@a.b.creator]

You're amazing

[@lucy7b]

Does the front bar cut into the back of your legs?

[@kaylahall1219]

A Scout is thrifty!

[@helengren9349]

☝️Please be AWARE that ALL plastic release NANO PARTICALS that our bodies absorb❗ lungs & other organs got affected & leads to various illneses❗😒 ☝️CLEAN YOUR HOME of ALL PLASTIC instead❗As plastic utensils, jars for food, nylon tea bags (releases more pafticals when hotter❗what's wrong with loose tea❓🤔) clothes, curtains, etc ☝️ ❗❗

[@Silverhaired59]

Here in Detroit, Michigan, there is (or was) a charity that collected chip bags to make sleeping pads for homeless people. The chip bags have a shiny plastic aluminum-like layer inside that reflects heat, so if you make the pads with a shiny side up, body heat is reflected back onto the sleeping person. Worked very well for people sleeping out of doors in cold weather, and to line sleeping boxes for stray cats.

[@JillRhoads]

I'm sure you could do the same thing and make car window reflectors along with a little cardboard as well. Gosh, now I need to eat more potato chips to make that!

[@MataH1]

Great idea and at least very useful and well thought.

[@debrapaulino918]

Great idea. I hate throwing them.

[@erinmcdonald7781]

@@JillRhoads 🤦 I just paid $17 for a Star Wars sunshade, when I could've made a cool patterned one for myself!

[@zebraloverbridget]

Now that sounds like something that is actually worth doing! I can't see this being worth doing for plastic shopping bags since there are many more easier methods of putting them to use. My go to use is as smaller trash bags since either way a plastic bag will be used to hold the trash. Second use is to hold larger amounts of dog poop when living somewhere that you can't let the poop sit out to naturally decompose. Once too many bags build up I'm usually close to moving and can use them as packaging material to help keep things from breaking and reduce the amount of new materials I have to buy to be able to move without breaking stuff

[@grannysquared7140]

I cut the bags, the same way you would peel an apple, in a spiral, about 2 inches wide. I then use a drop spindle to twist the strips into plarn. Knit or crochet with it to make rugs, bags (great for beach bags) or whatever. The twist gives it incredible strength just like wool made into yarn.

[@MazHem]

Plarn!

[@barbarahallowell2613]

Genius!!! ❤😊❤ Will be trying this method. Thank you for posting 😊

[@spilledit]

This great!

[@carolburnett8372]

they break down when sun hits them

[@spilledit]

@@carolburnett8372 so do you

[@333whiteraven]

I'd love to see you guys discuss the safety steps people should take to protect themselves from toxic fumes that may occur by melting a large amount of plastic bags.

[@BrothersMake]

Is Melting Plastic Dangerous? kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4vInISKppWCp6M

[@piotree53]

My dad was an industrial arts teacher and a swim coach for almost 30 years . He now has severe lung issues. Think of all the dust he ingested and the humid environment from coaching twice a day for many years. We don’t think about those things til the damage is done

[@SourceAwryT]

@@piotree53 , what kind of issues...are we talking seasonal allergies, chronic bronchitis, asthma, emphysema, COPD, or full blown lung cancer? I am no doctor of any sort, but I happen to have a lifetime (52 years) of experience with respiratory and sinus issues. There are lots of remedies no doctor will ever mention, and the drugs they give are more problematic the older the patient is, especially bc the decongestants are stimulants. Lung problems are also heart problems, bc the two are inseparable. I'm sure your dad doesn't go around huffing whatever is coming off of burning plastics, but that doesn't mean he has to live with it as is. Lungs mean breathing, and if he struggles to breathe, he will be too tired to do much and that's not really living. If you are curious to hear wisdom from the crowd about it, let me know. Cheers!

[@krzykatldy8688]

That shouldn't be a issue if you do this outside in a porch or in an open garage.

[@steveblake3141]

I can imagine this material would be good for shelters too, such as tents, shades, tarps, etc

[@BrothersMake]

For sure, we're really keen to try it out for that type of application too.

[@abbylynn8872]

They are great to crochet for mats. Only downside is they are heavy. But the last and cab be washed. I have one u take to the park with me.

[@kandyappleview]

@@abbylynn8872 i crocheted a kitchen mat but prefer something without the holes crochet creates. i thought about applying their iron technique to my crocheted mat. it might not close the holes up all the way, but i'm still curious to see what would happen. after watching this video i think i will try it!

[@teresayeates3437]

Would off gassing be an issue?

[@nedlyest]

​@@teresayeates3437 it doesn't get to a temp that will off gas. You should be good.

[@tmontero8492]

Blankets, insulation for buildings, rowboats/canoes/kayaks, tents/canopies, rugs, window shades, raincoats/ponchos, tote bags/duffel bags….. really gets the thought process going! Awesome and well-done video. Thank you for sharing.

[@livinginthenow]

Great job, guys! I think one obvious project for this "material" is making a raincoat. You could line it with cotton, or linen, or some other sustainable and comfortable fabric, and step out on a rainy day in a one-of-a-kind garment that would be eye catching. I could also see it being used as an insulating lining between two layers of cloth for cooler weather. Honestly, there are probably a thousand and one uses for this material.

[@linusgoblin]

You don't really want that kind of two way impermeability for prolonged use since the plastic layer will also prevent your sweat to escape thus making you drenched . Modern rain jackets are made with an outside fabric that will shed water but is not waterproof and an internal breathable layer. But a poncho could work with the extra ventilation.

[@livinginthenow]

@@linusgoblin I get what you're saying. I think the key thing here is "prolonged use." For some people, myself included, rain coats are just worn between the car and the destination, and then they are taken off. For folks who intend to be outside in the elements for a sustained period, I think your poncho idea is a good one.

[@cassandraknight8804]

Might work really great for homeless/ tent people as extra weather insulation.

[@cassandraknight8804]

Think camping.

[@coffeync]

A rain poncho/blanket/tenting item for the homeless? Perhaps 4 corner fasteners for changing liner to meet seasonal needs? Either rolls easily to be stored in backpack or morphs into backpack.

[@cynthiabotsko2449]

As one who used to do traveling open-air markets, I think the template project of ironing together plastic bags is a great idea... One could make signs & banners for their market booth or tent, display table coverings, tent awnings or canopies... The possibilities seem endless! Thank you! ❤️♾️❤️

[@FilbieTron]

Omg this is such a brilliant idea!!!

[@E42545]

It was so funny to see you just intuitively make and use a clapper 😂 in tailoring we use a hardwood tool that’s basically exactly like what you made immediately after pressing, it adds more force and the wood also draws heat off the material quickly (you can also use your hand) so it helps to set it more firmly into place

[@claudetteyoung3383]

Suggestions for uses: liner for sleeping bags as a vapor//moisture barrier when using on ground, umbrella covering, raincoats for kids--not a big expense when they get lost or ruined, notebooks voers/book covers, tote bags for items not to get wet, handy shoe covers that can be bolded into handy small pack and carried in purse for days when boots aren't handy but person doesn't want to get shoes wet, tablecothes for picnic tables or lawn picnics, feeding mats for under pet feeding stations in homes, etc., You get the idea. Lovde this pproach to a difficult problem. Good luck.

[@rynneivarsson751]

Ohhh! A camping mat. That's a great idea.

[@mapatterson173]

This belongs in a museum. Truly, we need to celebrate ingenuity in reusing what many would toss out. Years ago, ladies use bits of cloth for quilts, and are lauded for their ingenuity and sense of purpose. I see temporary shelters for homeless and homeless refugees. Thank you for your thoughtful videos.

[@ryansmith5355]

In Australia with the ban of "single use" plastic bags, we now have 75% of the plastic bags that have 200% of the plastic (percentages completely made up, but basically supermarkets doubled the amount of plstic in a bag so they are no longer considered single use on paper). So what i've had rolling around in my brain is to find a way to turn those almost single use bags into collapsible create like some supermarkets do their deliveries in. The ideal size would be so they fit into a standard shopping trolley and stack easily. This way not only are we reducing waste from our shopping experience, we are repurposing the waste in a way that reduces our need to keep using the waste. Long life/multi use shopping bags are ok but they are only as useful as the weakest point (handles) and they soon become trash themselves, however collapsible crates are easy to store in the boot of a car (or on a bike I guess), and will not only last ages but also reduce waste every time they are used.

[@eugenetswong]

In Canada, 1 of the stores has baskets that fit well in the trolley/cart, and can take advantage of hooks on the cart to hold the baskets. It's really cool.

[@BrothersMake]

Love that idea, would certainly be a great and long lasting use for them.

[@karenkeevil5206]

Just don't make them so big we elders can't lift them. Great job

[@heyallenify]

Some of the US states (or just cities) have started banning single use bags as well, but the new "reusable" LDPE bags are so flimsy that they tear if you look at them funny. But somehow they're considered "reusable" and therefore still allowed in those areas.

[@louhortonsculpture]

Yeah I’ve been dismayed at how fast the reusable ones break down. I forgot I also fix the handles but they don’t even last ten years!

[@Timri3681]

Random idea for you guys and/or viewers reading this. I successfully used the off-cuts and trimmings that don't look good blended to make table saw sled runners! Melted the off-cuts in the toaster oven and rolled a thin log. Pressed the log directly into the tracks of my table saw and clamped a 2x4 on top. Custom sized runners that I glued and screwed to the plywood base! Edit. I did need to trim some flashing off the edges. Your milage may vary. 😊

[@eugenetswong]

Good idea! Didn't you have to prevent it from sticking?

[@Timri3681]

@eugenetswong Yes! Thanks for it reminder. I lined the table saw track w/ parchment paper. After I pressed the thin roll of HDPE it, I folded the excess over the top before I clamped the board down!

[@BrothersMake]

That's an awesome idea - cheers Tim! 💡♻

[@eugenetswong]

@@Timri3681 We can actually use junk paper for this, if we don't expect to recycle the runners. The paper could just remain stuck to the runners. Thanks for your response.

[@JakeStaines]

That gives me an idea, actually... the problem I've had with my table saw slots is that while the bottoms are fine, the sides of the stem of the T-slot aren't machined quite parallel (yeah, I don't know either), so any runner I make myself has to be a carefully-machined T if I want it to not jam. Rather than re-cut them, I wonder if I could adapt this technique not to make runners, but to line the existing slots with a plastic bearing that actually has parallel sides...

[@amaarmenteros1594]

Using those big sheets for a picnic blanket would be amazing. The plastic sheet can be on the bottom and the top can be some type of cloth, maybe recycled old tees or just an old sheet.

[@ladalekoehler2176]

That’s a great idea not just for camping or picnicking. It would be great ground covers for homeless people to lay on.

[@dawnakern7467]

A 64-year-old woman here. You should show how to make coffee holders with handles to prevent people from burning their hands when the coffee (tea, hot chocolate, etc.) is too hot. Do an entire show on the smaller things people can make at home. I would LOVE to do this, but I could not make a chair to save my life. Something smaller may be doable.

[@BrothersMake]

We made a coffee carrier in an earlier video!

[@eileenfb1948]

Excellent idea!

[@elizabethg2715]

I iron all my plastic bags and sew them into beach bags and what I call crash pads, their basically like a big cushion that I quilt sew with cut up plastic bags to make it like a cushion!! There great for outside seats and beach, I even use plastic table covers there thin but iron a bunch and you have perfect fabric material to sew in regular sewing machine but with Jean needle and thick polyester thread!

[@livinginthenow]

I was wondering what sort set up would be best for sewing with this material. I thought that the machine that Kev used in the video might be an industrial one, and might have been set up for sewing leather. Now I know my regular machine and a denim needle can do the job. Thanks for the info!

[@lw2131]

Wish you post a picture, this sounds really interesting

[@hiddenmutant]

@@livinginthenow I have a regular home-use sewing machine (Singer Stylist 7258), and if the denim needle doesn't work out for you, I've had great success with a leather needle! Bear in mind that leather needles have a cutting edge to them, so while they chug along perfectly with thick non-woven materials, they do create an actual hole (so if you had to rip the seam it would be obvious, as well as you need to be careful when backstitching).

[@tessaromein5787]

Wow, are you serious?! A jeans needle and thick polyester thread? That will sew through a layer of plastic? OK, now I am going to look for a pattern for a rain cape 👍🏻. This is great, thanks!

[@JV-pu8kx]

Try a pair of heated rollers, think laminator, with an adjustable gap to compensate as the panels get thicker.

[@agneschrismer9946]

So cool. I have a shopping bag made out of many crochet plastic bags. Very strong. I love this chair.

[@BrothersMake]

That's great! We definitely want to try one out for ourselves too.

[@patriciahusch9688]

We have several aluminum framed folding lawn chairs that are overdue for new seat webbing. I've been considering various options. Definitely wanting to do something at low to zero cost, reusing waste/trash materials... something DIFFERENT, with strong recycling vibes, AND attractiveness/cuteness potential (to sell more neighbors on this kind of re-use mentality!)... BINGO! THIS is perfect idea to adapt!❤ For one chair, I'll trial reinforcing the strips with a few rows of machine stitching along the strap length with strong thread... to help increase the sitter's sense of security, jazz up the "finished" look, & probably extend longevity of the laminated plastic. One chair with the stitching & one without - - & see who withstands the most! Maybe the 3rd chair will alternate sewn & plain laminated plastic strips.... Thank you guys for your good work & sharing so much inspiration!

[@briannab5296]

Not exactly low or no cost as irons use the most electricity causing higher electric bill which puts even more strain & expense to run power plants which negatively impacts the environment. . . A tradeoff to be considered.

[@goofyahhhhhhh6131]

Also heating up plastic isn’t the best idea without good ventilation

[@dracophyle]

I was thinking the same thing for the ripped webbing, but I'm not sure how I would go about attaching it. You said you sewed yours on; did you hand sew it?

[@broella6493]

Very nice bench! I use plastic bags to make shopping bags. I cut the bags in strips, then crochet them together. I get a lot of compliments on these bags and give them away to whoever wants one.

[@peacearena]

I would love directions for this project.

[@anonymouse9833]

@@peacearena Pinterest and KZbin have ya covered friend!

[@DraknusX]

Have you guys considered using the injection molding machine or your press to make pegboard similar to that sold by dollar tree here in the USA? Would make a great dynamic storage system, and if you could figure a way to do it with everyday items like you did here, I think it would be a great way to reduce waste and help people get more organized.

[@alexiscornett9809]

love this idea!!!!

[@spaz-tech]

Excellent idea!

[@BrothersMake]

Really cool idea - have just added it to our ideas board, so will hopefully get to try this one sometime soon!

[@2okaycola]

Dollar tree rules

[@1chumley1]

The Tree is one of my favorite places.

[@djstraylight]

Great summertime chair. Nice work! I've done a similar project with plastic grocery bags as well, used a set of vacuform heat lamps to heat up the plastic and then form everything into a big sheet. Then made some foldable awnings for the side of a camper (or caravan as you would call it).

[@jones4106]

I actually have a cat who loves the sound and sensation of plastic bags under her paws, so I was planning on doing the old make plastic bags into yarn and crochet with it trick to make her a cat bed but I love this idea for that project way more. Feels like it’ll give me more flexibility in the final product!

[@carolineowen7846]

Try crocheting the 'plarn' into a giant beret, - cat bed size, they would be purrfect for use in a catio, or other outdoor resting place.

[@HigimuraStudios]

I've seen some past vids where you made a 2x4 and was just thinking. Have you guys ever decided to make a mini house or shed out of the plastic? Maybe a playhouse for kids? I get the impression that since plastic takes a long time to decompose that the mini house/shed would stand for quite a while. I know it would be a huge undertaking but done right I think it would rid a ton of old plastic. If it works maybe you can donate it to a charity? Anyway, love your vids and keep up the amazing work :D

[@Sk8rdad420]

Plastic would have to be uv stabilized for use outside for a long time.

[@HigimuraStudios]

@@Sk8rdad420 Are there plastics that have this natively or would it be something that you would have to introduce to the plastic in order for it to work?

[@kisheacox8147]

The dog food bags or even kitty litter that’s all strong plastic I’ve cut into strips, ironed a few layers together and started using for privacy slats. The inside is white so it can be used inside of color side as an option. Works really well, holds up in weather for quite awhile and it really doesn’t look ghetto when time is put in.

[@rochelle..]

What do you use to dispose the used kitty litter ?

[@kisheacox8147]

@@rochelle.. I don’t use anything but my daughter uses the scoop and waits until the trash is ready to go out and scoops the couple of poops to the garbage. Her kitty is indoor/outdoor and doesn’t have to scoop much. If she does, because she “forgot”, she’ll go to where the bag in a bag in a bag.. in a bag, spot is and grab one of them. Any kitty poo’s can’t be scooped out and put into something without leaving the house. Our two dogs LOVE kitty stink treats and can find them anywhere. Lessons learned there.

[@Iquey]

Do you mean like slats in a chain link fence, to make it more opaque instead of see through?

[@kisheacox8147]

@@Iquey yes. That one I discovered when the neighbors got baby goats and my two doggos wanted to play with them. With their teeth. Started digging the entire fence line to get under for a proper introduction. Slats isn’t something I have $ for just yet so I had to figure something out. Now, they can see them. No more digging for living meat snacks! 😂

[@annedymock2850]

😂😂😂 play with them... with their teeth!😂😂😂

[@BeckyA59]

My mom used to cut plastic bread bags into strips and crochet them into small rugs, like doormats. They were very long lasting

[@destmichael]

I love it! Genius! I make plarn bags with plastic bags in the U.S. Everyone is shocked how sturdy and soft they are. They're also machine wshable. Flat to dry, but super cool!

[@cariwaldick4898]

When you sat down to draw out some ideas, I thought...it could be used for those umbrellas! I am curious to know how this holds up to the heat of the sun. It would be good for making rain coats--especially if you wanted to give them away for free. You could turn them into real, reusable tote bags. Or... make the kids a big, long slip-n-slide. It might work for lining DIY fountains. Make a big car cover to protect it from the weather--again, depending on how it reacts to sun. Make blinds for the windows. Make useful things for the car, like drink carriers, seat covers, grocery bins, and organizers. Use them for creating yard art, like spinners, birds, and flags. Anywhere you use plastic, you could use this material. You could layer fabric on top to make it look pretty. You can make your own mailing envelopes. Make nearly waterproof table covers. Make bibs for messy toddlers. Create carnival games for school fundraisers. ETA: I was reading the comments, and thought the idea of making accessories for e-bikes would be a great use. The plastic would be light, so it wouldn't strain the batteries.

[@carttart]

Lovè the mailing envelope idea!

[@cariwaldick4898]

@@carttart I know for a fact that reusing plastic works for shipping. I bought some large plastic envelopes to ship face masks when they were needed, but I needed smaller mailers. I cut them, and used a hot iron (protected by parchment paper) to seal the edges. This would work great for the sturdier bags--cut apart and turned inside to hide the logos.

[@michellebruton6287]

I freakin LOOVE that chair, the recycling, the colours, just all of it ! It would look stunning with my outdoor mat that I crocheted using plastic bags cut into strips. But, Alas, some of the bags I used, were from a seedling nursery up the road, and they were biodegradable bags (which I only realised later on) and now 3 odd years later my mat is falling apart 😥😥. All in All not bad for three years worth of foot wiping hey !! I guess that the positive side of this is that the plastic bags really are biodegradeable !! not just BS and hoodwinking ... I live in South Africa, where BS and hoodwinking are an art form 😂. Thanks for sharing what you do - I hope your vids inspire many many more folks to be creative whilst helping clean up our Mother Earth.

[@philxcskier]

This is really cool.. I wonder if you could use this to make a moisture barrier sheet (like tyvek) for a house or shed? I always thought that dog food bags seemed to have “basically” the same look and feel as this building wrap, and reusing those bags in new construction sure feels like a better idea than throwing them in the landfill.

[@auntcatziegler3791]

You could make a tarp... use as a greenhouse cover, a hoop house, a cover for a car or boat or even a home. Or for under a beach towel or picnic blanket. I suppose it depends entirely on how long you're willing to iron plastic together. You could even use the material to make waterproof clothing like jackets, waders, and boots. Anything is better than having it inside the poor turtles. Also a pond liner? or maybe a custom sized umbrella. Or a billboard, if you wanted to paint it. So many things... you've inspired me, but I hate ironing!

[@springcrocus7flower635]

My question is how is these bags getting in the ocean? Are we dumping land trash in the ocean? That is horrible if so. It should be collect and reused at the least. We should all be planting more trees and having tree farms so we can go back to paper bags. A renewable biodegradable material.

[@auntcatziegler3791]

@@springcrocus7flower635 In New York City, the garbage barges are piloted out to the ocean and dumped there as standard practice. In other places, quite a lot of garbage makes it to the ocean from hurricanes and flooding picking up everything then taking the material with the water when it goes back out. Occasionally there is an overturned container ship and the cargo gets into the ocean that way.

[@springcrocus7flower635]

@@auntcatziegler3791 - Thank you for the response. That is unbelievable that we throw trash in the ocean. I thought it happened some, but NY trash must be an enormous amount! This is sad for the marine life and plants. Have they studied other options? Seem like burning with emissions pipe would be a viable option.?.? I know they did that in a western state for a few years, but may have eventually got shut down.

[@zelda710]

I was a set designer for a school musical for the Phantom of the Opera and made the chandelier out of plastic beads made from cut strips of clear plastic bottles. It looked amazing. But of course, it was designed just for the stage so i used cardboard papers as well! I wonder if you could make a chandelier out of plastics as well but done profesionally without the cardboard paper 🤣 so there's an idea!

[@debrabrooks6138]

yes there are videos of people who make them and lamps here on YT some are very beautiful!

[@WaveDPM]

I am sure your cardboard chandelier made for a school stage looked better than this chair. And served on it's place j7st prfectly!

[@Upcycled_plastic]

Another thought-provoking, creative way of dealing with the excessive amount of rubbish in the world. Congratulations, guys. Keep up the great work. 👍Inspiring peps since way back! 😊

[@BrothersMake]

Thanks so much - far too kind!

[@naturalnat3452]

It’s definitely quite unique! I hope this concept of repurposing plastic bags into furniture and other useful items makes its way into mainstream usage.

[@isabelstokes4042]

The relationship between these two is incredible! Great sense of humour, talented and hard working - also incredibly handsome! Wish I was 40 years younger!

[@BrothersMake]

You're far too kind!

[@designed_by_danita]

I am a seamstress. Time to make slow fashion with this technique. Like an A-line "jean" skirt but with 10 layers of plastic. or a Kimono style jacket that is easy to assemble, and fits most. Sewing is the easy part. It may feel funny in hot weather, but excellent for the cold!!! Hi fashion at its best...EVERY step is toward SAVING the planet!!! 🥰

[@PinHengChen-CCS]

I would love to see you guys make a mini sailboat (single man or 2-man) reusing plastic from bottles and bottle caps for the boat hull(s) and plastic from plastic bags for the boat's sail.

[@annmnm-sy5cq]

What a great idea. How about a kayak?

[@Raggmopp-xl7yf]

Between the bench and the bags have you guys thought of doing a kick-starter to mass produce these things as an alternative to patio furniture? B/c this whole thing is a fabulous idea!

[@SugoDiGatto]

Could you wrap the base of the iron with oven paper, instead of having to move around a sheet? It would make work flow quite a bit better!

[@BrothersMake]

That's a genius idea!

[@TheLoveMiku]

would it not melt or burn?

[@annedymock2850]

Only if the iron temp is a fair bit high than baking temp.

[@DarrenEggleston]

I can see using this as a tarp to protect the floor from equipment. I often have to buy new tarps for this purpose. These large sheets look like they would work well for that.

[@jamilacreates]

Even the horses loved it! I like using grocery bag leather for my purses, I usually quilt it to prevent the separating, I never would have thought of weaving! It looks so cool!

[@fireflyfae]

'Grocery bag leather' - what a great way of thinking of it! :)

[@LChalifoux]

Ooh - I never thought of quilting it - that would really save a lot of time! I think this stuff is perfect for bags of all kinds. Thanks for sharing this great idea. 💡🙏

[@BrothersMake]

Love the name for it! And fear thar you're using it too. Weaving definitely make it look interesting and added a load of strength which was needed for this application 😊

[@LopsideMakes]

Strange idea, but people have done it before, cut the bag into strips and crochet the plastic! It's a strong material, isn't scratchy, (though it depends on what type of plastic bag you use) and can be made into anything with crochet! Personally, I'd love to try to make stuffed sea animals made out of plastic bags, stuffed with cut up old paper, or even more plastic, just as cute little decorations. (Edit: It uses a lot of material, so it's a good way to use up the bags pretty quickly!)

[@paulinekamangira5926]

Very inspiring. I will try something 😂

[@robb2869]

It would be really interesting to try for camping ground sheets as it would be mostly shielded from UV, most plastic bags tend to eventually break down after a bit of UV exposure don’t they but maybe these thicker sheets will be okay plus you can always add another layer hey 😃I’ve only made small sheets so far but it seems pretty tough material😀 I might try adding some tarp grommets to see how it compares with the cheap tarps you can buy! Thanks as always for the great video guys 👍🏻😊

[@elainawest1572]

What about adding the plastic bags to the tarp or would the tarp itself melt? I hate that they are woven and never 100% waterproof.

[@robb2869]

@@elainawest1572 Yes that might be worth trying, some of them are really thin so it would definitely bulk them up a bit!

[@stephaniemartinezmassoni4832]

Hi guys, my thoughts and best regards to your brainstorming. That's what I call success.

[@coffeync]

The huge bags of dog food are useful. They're super strong & hold 40lbs. I turned them inside out, sewed repurposed karate belt pieces for straps, & now use for mega grocery bags. Ive opened them up & refolded into open box shapes. Once corners are stapled tightly, it's waterproof. I've used them for years under groups of potted plants & to waterproof interior of cardboard boxes ( visiting cats' litterbox). My last dog died in 2018 😢, but I'm still using the damn bags 😮.

[@robb2869]

@@coffeync Yes I sew my dog food bags into shopping bags as well, easy to do and super strong plus you can usually arrange them so you get a nice picture of a dog 😊 sorry for your loss by the way 🙁

[@mamamoon65]

The end product was prettier than I expected. Nicely done! Thanks for sharing!

[@pamd.happykat8187]

emergency blankets came to mind as soon as I saw this vid pop up in my recommendations. they're warm, compact and don't take up much space. There's all kinds of other uses for the bags, too, although I do use the grocery type ones for small waste basket liners. Nice vid; thank you for posting!

[@annedymock2850]

How well do they fold, how compact?

[@randallthomas5207]

As potential commercial application, the used bags could be fused to plywood wood to leave a waterproof surface. Ground bags could potentially be used as a glue between the plies of the plywood, and potentially added to ground wood fiber to produce a waterproof Medium Density Fiber Board. Or sawdust to produce a water resistant Particle Board.

[@TheSpiderChick]

Questions: For your iron, what temperature setting are you using to melt the plastic? And was there a problem with fumes from the melting plastic? Thanks so much for the great ideas!

[@IzartFr]

Yes it's very dangerous for the health ⚠️

[@ChasingtheJoneses]

As a young girl scout wev used a similar technique with folded newspaper to make "Sit-upons". Little mats to protect our knickers/bottoms when we sat on the ground. Now we are fulltime RVers! This would make great reusable Sit-upons for picnic tables! I also make faux leather earrings: I'm going to play with thicknesses to see if I can make them with plastic! Brilliant! Cheers dear friends!

[@slc1161]

Have you thought about making a foldable sleeping pouch out of multiple thicknesses of plastic? I believe it would be a good insulator against wet and cold. It might be something useful for the homeless as well. Or use it to make one or two man tents. Very useful for the homeless.

[@bkitteh6295]

I wonder if you could run those strips through a laminating machine. You'd need a carrier slightly longer than the strips, & laminating might be take longer than ironing; however, the heat application & the pressure would be very uniform & perhaps higher than ironing. Just an idea... 😁 Thanks guys for the great video!

[@BrothersMake]

A few people have suggested this now. Definitely want to try!

[@krampus225]

​@@BrothersMakeHow in the world do you manage the toxic chemicals that off gas when you heat the plastic? That'd be my big concern! Really curious? Thanks, gents!

[@annedymock2850]

Me too.

[@ClaLu]

​@@krampus225I have the same concern with the fumes...Should it be done in an enclosed space with Aire extraction that has some kind of filter for toxins? And the people working on them with protection...

[@deanablythe9394]

It's amazing what you can do with waste materials, thanks for sharing this with us. Well done, very impressive.

[@ToniGlick]

It's awesome that you are thinking of ways to reuse single use plastic. I live in Vancouver, where plastic bags have been banned. I think our best way forward is to advocate for and use alternatives whever possible.

[@caraamethyst6956]

I’ve been reusing mine as “plarn” and creating sturdy crochet bags and then thinking of using the scraps to stuff toys and beds for my cats, since they love sleeping on the bags anyway haha

[@hairyballbastic8943]

I'd love to try taking the fancy designs out of these to make decorated collages for the exteriors, amazing stuff as usual

[@thebradoctor1858]

I just loved it!! I can definitely make the "fabric". Just wish I had the tools to also make that bench!! I have made plarn and the crocheted a new seat cover for my tractor seat!! I can see making this fabric with 3 layers and use as frost covers in my garden. And as someone suggested to make shades for those plants that don't like direct sun!! You have me really thinking!! Trying to do my part to decrease plastic in landfills, etc!! TFS!!!

[@Wishful---Thinking]

When I saw them remaking the chair, I immediately thought why not put it in a kit? Sell the legs and hardware then get folks to iron their own bags, cut and weave it to assemble their own unique chair? Eliminates the most challenging part and give diy'ers a project using up what they have on hand. Now if only we had an angel to fund the thing...? Anyone? Anyone? Looking for an angel...

[@johnjohnny6480]

Go to a garage sale and find a patio chair that needs recovering.

[@annedymock2850]

​@@Wishful---Thinkingfrankly even using a naturally biodegradable substance like timber for the frame would be fine.

[@dcoleman7602]

i actually have been looking for a way to redo my fold out lawn chair. this will be perfect! thanks for the great ifea for recycling plastics. 💛💜🧡

[@sarahmosher6310]

This is awesome!!l Regretting not watching more KZbin to get ideas about what to do with plastic bags. Never felt anything but sick about throwing them away, so I have bags of folded bags I couldn’t stomach throwing away that I can do something productive with now. Thank you!!!!

[@26debsterdots]

Great idea guys ! And the commenters as well ! I was thinkin for my own sewing room…… small crates made with the “cloth” you add in the video, to house my precut fabrics. Maybe a custom thread or trash bin. Project bags possibley. Amazing input and ideas ! ! ! !

[@patriciahusch9688]

Sooo many possibilities around the house! I am loving that they discovered using a "clapper" to press/hold the iron's heat for the lamination process❤️

[@TheSpiderChick]

Idea: You could use something like 12 gauge wire as a frame to hold the shape of the crates - which could even be ironed into the plastic fabric. Plus, then the crates could be collapsible for storage.

[@hannahstringer5271]

I once tried to make an inflatable homeless shelter / bouncy castle thing out of these. Turned out ironing them in a non-fumigated room wasn't my best idea. Definitely recommend outdoors or opening a window! 😂 Plenty of potential though!

[@TheSpiderChick]

Thanks for the tip. I was wondering about the fumes.

[@2okaycola]

It's crazy to me that a free item is so omnipresent in all of our lives can have thousands of applications

[@Kellycreator]

Used plastic bags to create a wedding dress for an exhibition over twelve years ago!! Great to see younger generation exploring up cycling ideas. Thanks for sharing

[@cyndimcdonald7428]

This is so so so smart, you could literally create tents for the homeless, pool liner, rain coats, stray cat shelter, yard awning or umbrella, etc etc . . . my ultimate goal in life is to create something beautiful and leave the world a little better than I found it. . . and I am SO on board with reducing, reusing, & recycling especially plastic and tTHIS . . . . I love. How thick and sturdy do you think can you make them ? do you think that with enough layers this could be made into playable material to build an outdoor storage shed ? or what about using it to create like bird baths or garden decor? . . . . please lmk I have been literally trying to find a way to reduce any one time plastics that end up in my home into something productive and storage is in very short supply at my home. Ps: sorry for typo-s I have poor vision

[@AndrewAhlfield]

Really love to see what you guys are doing, and how I can re-use plastic bags! There's so much potential here, and your video was the first thing that popped up when I searched for "uses for plastic film waste!" As an engineer one thing jumps out at me when I see the shot at 10:05: dissimilar metals in contact and corrosion happening over time. Truly not a big issue for a prototype like this, but worth helping people think about as they start to get into re-using an repurposing scrap they have around and how they can ensure the item they make has longevity. Putting those steel washers in direct contact with the aluminum tube for a chair designed for what I assume is outdoor use, the rain, dew, and other moisture it encounters will cause corrosion on that joint. Interestingly, my understanding is that this occurs using the same principle that batteries use to make electricity (e.g. a lemon battery demonstration). Again, such a fun video! Thank you again for all the work that you do!!

[@spinnettdesigns]

Excellent advice, thank you for sharing! I was wondering about that too. Would it be sufficient to have some non metal washers, (nylon?) would that fix the problem?

[@deborahhenderson149]

@@spinnettdesigns Could maybe use bottle caps.

[@tml9174]

You might consider watching the commercial auctions for a used mangler instead of an iron. Larger hot surface and already has pressure so all you have to do is feed it through. Saves time. Great ideas in this list of comments- I congratulate your audience on their creativity and vision.

[@SherylKatz]

Plastic yarn AKA PLARN. Can knit or crochet anything!! Tote bags, covers for anything outdoors even a car. Many many things!! Great experiment!! Weaving Plarn makes mats for homeless shelters and for underlayer for camping sleeping bags.

[@JamesSeale2575]

Nice work again. I’m actually litter picking bags to make some cycling panniers. Keep up the content brothers.

[@eugenetswong]

James, good thinking!

[@Joy21090]

Just ask your neighbors for their bags. No need to use nasty ones that are already in the trash.

[@suzzify353]

I was thinking of window coverings...with an outer layer of fabric (or not) set to roll up or down. Could be room darkening and provide privacy as well as somewhat insulating.

[@kietsuhime]

Omg, this has so much potential for cosplay! I think I'll use this plastic bag leather for my next Sailor Galaxia cosplay!

[@2okaycola]

Everyone needs a Kev ❤ happy Father's day, Padre

[@rweems5796]

I know that plastic is your go-to material. But, what about corks? I refuse to throw them out but I’ve exhausted the alternative uses in my house (crafts, spacers, trivet feet and more) and still have loads of corks. Your creativity applied to this problem would be fun to watch!

[@dashingwomble]

I wonder if using a heat press as used in making tee shirts would work better for fusing the plastic bags together. It would certainly save you blokes a lot of ironing for future endeavours. Thanks for the great videos.

[@BrothersMake]

We did actually dicuss this when we were doing all of the ironing, we'll be sure to give it a go - thanks!

[@fonarte]

There are a bunch of Chinese OEMs that make cheap heat presses pretty big. Could probably even modify it so you could just use it as a giant iron lol

[@rowanmulvey8632]

A mangler from a laundry would make quick work of the fusing/layering process.

[@helenflouch]

​@@rowanmulvey8632 it would, great idea. Finding a mangler would be the issue.

[@GlitzyWitch]

This is awesome! You've given me a load of idea's. We need to find a way to usw plastic bags for functional purposes rather than them ending up in landfills

[@dianecarlson2918]

I have old chairs with vinyl straps made in the 1960s. This would work to reweb those. Love it!

[@acarbino2548]

I would definitely buy this chair if I saw it for sale on the store great job guys ❤

[@FuhrChris]

Have you considered using the plastic to cover over the folds on cardboard boxes to turn folded cardboard into larger pieces of useable flat cardboard. I have books on how to build houses and things out of cardboard but you need pieces that have No folds or creases.

[@katetsubata]

The video can actually be two videos: How to make usable and impermeable "fabric" from plastic bags, and how to use that material on one project. I would like to see further project uses, such as tents, table covers, seating cushions, planting shelters, landscaping items, protections for car, house or pet, etc.

[@alexmiles40]

Every person living in Alaska needs to see this video. They constantly need TARPS for everything, and this plastic bag "material" is perfect. Especially for people in the Bush. Is there an Alaska Environment group on youtube? This idea is perfect for them.

[@PhantomTemple]

Question: Is it possible to make refills for a gluegun, out of recycled material? If it is possible, it might be an easier way to fill out small divots/hole/cracks?

[@SugoDiGatto]

That's a project I have been thinking about for years. I found some glue guns with adjustable temperature, so they can fit the plastic, which I mainly think would be best if it were HDPE, considering its low melting point and softer properties. As for preparing the sticks, I naïvely though I could simply melt plastic bottle caps and roll them into shape as if they were dough, but they're too tough/hot to make by hand effectively. I would try a mould made by simply drilling a right sized hole in a piece of wood, into which to press the molten plastic with a rod!

[@kyleellis1651]

I had a similar idea about making filament for 3d printing since that seems to be about the most expensive part of 3d printing

[@daxhopkins7312]

​@SuGo brilliant idea with the wood. I'd consider cutting the block in half along the hole to make a 2 part mould. It would make removal much easier

[@SugoDiGatto]

@@daxhopkins7312 True, that's also easily feasible and would make it surely easier to remove! I hadn't thought of removal thoroughly, I figured the plastic would shrink enough to give it a bit of play to come out, but then again, it could stick to the inside. Copper piping could work, maybe? Or it could dissipate heat too quickly and set the plastic unevenly... maybe some higher temperature hoses with the right internal diameter could also work; split them, stick 'em in a wooden die to keep them together, inject and press the plastic, then remove the hose from the support and open it!

[@Wishful---Thinking]

@@daxhopkins7312 Can silicone play a role here? Or is the temp too high? There are many molds readily available, some for ice to put in water bottles that might make a useable product

[@fthurman]

Since the material reminds me very much of tarpaulin, I was wondering - given one could make a large enough sheet of it - if it could be used to made a shade sail. As the catch the wind, that would certainly be a test of their strength!

[@BrothersMake]

That'd definitely be a good test, we're keen to go even bigger next time!

[@inastoltz6813]

Hi, I just love the chair! When I was very young my dad used to iron plastic farm fertiliser bags together making a tarps. He used it covering stuff on the farm!

[@maryhairy1]

Absolutely gorgeous! Great idea! I cannot wait to begin on fixing up my chairs.

[@scarletletter4900]

Thanks for making this kinda content. I've been experimenting with HDPE recycling as creative medium (mostly bags cuz that's what I have in hand) and your channel have been an invaluable resource.

[@BrothersMake]

That's awesome to hear, super happy to hear we can be of help! Good luck with the recycling ♻️🤙🏼

[@PTEC3D]

Guys. Guys. Lissen. What if, instead of ironing the second time, you just fed the strips through an ordinary office laminator sandwiched between a few pieces of baking paper? You could make some quite decent width strips right from the get-go if you just kept feeding in baking paper and un-ironed layers of plastic bags, save ironing altogether. Laminators move really slowly and you'd have plenty of time to lay in 2-3 bags to make long belts as wide as the laminator, then feed through two belts on top of one another with the ends staggered to keep strength. Not sure a laminator would gl slowly enough to get through more layers than that though. But you'd have a decent material with little effort. Could still press it with an iron if you really want. I'm making sandwich press PP sheets but have been looking at doing this one day when I can find a cheap laminator, not game to use our existing one because if I muck it up we can't afford another one and we use it regularly. But I'd love to see if this works.

[@JiggsysShed]

That came out great. Really interesting idea and seems that could be used for a lot more applications

[@76-mom]

You can use it as a table cloth. When you go eat at a restaurant and the tables are outside, you'll eat on a clean table by putting it on the table as a table cloth. I'm in california, you can use it as a beach mat. People with little children can use it on their mattress under the sheet. In case of accidents, the mattress won't get soiled. Make a very big bag and put the children's toys inside. Make a very big bag and put your Winter blankets inside for storage. In college students can use a bag For their laundry. I made a big big bag. My husband uses it to put soda cans to take it to the recycle. Make tote bags for farmers market day. There are so many more ways to iron all the plastics together to get its strength and use and many many ways

[@rubbydraco1334]

The best part about this is that most of people have iron at home and there is always a lot of plastic bags colect

[@BrothersMake]

Absolutely, we wanted to use a technique that most people could try themselves 😊

[@thomasthecrunkengine3512]

Since it’s a leather-like material, you should make a vest or a jacket.

[@AB-ws8iz]

Bet this would be a great way to back a picnic blanket to make it waterproof.

[@AlThurayya7]

Love this concept and seeing all that went into making it! Brilliant work, would love to see a hammock! 🙌🏾

[@jasminarnold9923]

You can turn the plastic bags into plarn and weave it into rugs and beach totes

[@BrothersMake]

That’s a cool idea!

[@hameley12]

That's what I was thinking while watching the video. Some of the small run stores in my area still give out plastic bags in different colours. It would be great if we could try making a tote bag, or a leak-proof bag to put in the car, whenever we go to the beach or camping. If we need a large waterproof and leak-proof bag to carry drinks or meals that must stay cold during transport. We already bought reusable ice packs that stay as is for eight hours. 🧊🧊♻♻

[@yazminp3215]

These guys are awesome. I love how they recycle and create new things

[@WantedVisual]

I'm looking at this and thinking rain coat. You could even iron over the seams after you're done sewing, and melt all the sewing machine holes closed. Or just iron over a strip of extra plastic!

[@blister2pack]

I am with you dear brothers, you are working for making mother Earth a happy place

[@anthonyaportela217]

This might be good to make tarps

[@ssruiimxwaeeayezbbttirvorg9372]

How much energy does it requires to iron those bags together vs to make new plastic sheet same size?

[@malgozata1875]

I think it is so wonderful what you do, repurpose "trash". Thank you for your work and thank you for this channel.

[@_oe_o_e_]

I saw a Make magazine video on this a long long time ago, but thought people ended up thinking the idea was passe. It’s nice to see people give it another go

[@kennethcope7266]

I wasn't even aware that supermarkets were still giving out non-compostable bags. But, way-to-go, I suppose. A good use for where they can stil be found.

[@ryansmith5355]

In Australia they are no longer "giving out" single use bags they are selling us (10-15c a bag) marginally thicker bags (more plastic) which often ends up getting used only once.

[@karenkeevil5206]

Yes. Same here in US. I bring my own bags because theirs are so useless for reuse. Thanks for the ideas.

[@baybabe95]

Where do you live? We still see these all the time in California 😢

[@OkOhYeah]

I doubt its trash if its made by you guys!

[@BrothersMake]

You're too sweet!

[@Matrix80302]

lol

[@kujiargisia7877]

They're not trash, they're made out of trash. There's a massive difference. Made out of trash, in Brothers Make's case, is both noble, and beautiful.

[@barbarawalsh4936]

This gave me a great idea. I'll di up some sheets as you did, and use the as skin for my outdoor Halloween ideas. The bags will make the projects waterproof, and the layered texture will give the end product a creepy look. Thanks.👍👍👍 As a "green" craft designer, I am always looking for new ways to help keep the environment less cluttered. Glad I came across your channel.