Reusage tall kitchen trash bags?

[Satori]

I hate throwing away money every month on kitchen trash bags. Can someone point me to some places that sell wetbags for your kitchen trash can?

[kitchensqueen]

I don't know anything about the wet bags you mention, but this is something that really bothers me too. Spending money on a plastic item that is destined to end up in a landfill... it just doesn't sit right with me.

It's caused me to start rethinking our trash habits, and it might be worth considering for you as well. We're talking about getting a small composter going so we can start composting most food scraps. And putting in recycling bins for paper, glass and metal instead of an all purpose trash can.

That would leave very little actual trash, in our household, so I'm thinking we'd just be able to use the plastic bags we end up with in the course of shopping (tons of food comes packaged in plastic bags unfortunately) and we always seem to have a few plastic grocery bags in the pantry from the rare occassion we forget to bring along reusables.

Just something to think about.

[Satori]

Originally Posted by kitchensqueen 

I don't know anything about the wet bags you mention, but this is something that really bothers me too. Spending money on a plastic item that is destined to end up in a landfill... it just doesn't sit right with me.

It's caused me to start rethinking our trash habits, and it might be worth considering for you as well. We're talking about getting a small composter going so we can start composting most food scraps. And putting in recycling bins for paper, glass and metal instead of an all purpose trash can.

That would leave very little actual trash, in our household, so I'm thinking we'd just be able to use the plastic bags we end up with in the course of shopping (tons of food comes packaged in plastic bags unfortunately) and we always seem to have a few plastic grocery bags in the pantry from the rare occassion we forget to bring along reusables.

Just something to think about.

I found these http://www.etsy.com/listing/32545926/red-fan-print-tall-kitchen-recycla-bag?ref=sr_gallery_3&ga_search_query=tall+kitchen+bag&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet= but would like to find ones with out the hefty price tag.

[kitchensqueen]

Interesting, I didn't know anyone was making such a thing. So a vinyl/nylon botton with a decorative cotton upper portion. For what it is, $25.00 seems like a good price, especially considering plastic kitchen bags that are decent quality go for around $8-10 a box.

If you're a seamstress at all (or know someone who is) you could probably do one up for a lot cheaper if you get your vinyl and fabric second hand or out of the sale bin. You could even resuse an old vinyl/plastic tablecloth for the lower portion.

[crunchy_mommy]

I don't know, but I know our town won't pick up trash that isn't bagged. Does your town not have this rule, or do you have a way around it? And how do you plan on transferring the trash to... whatever you put it in to get to the dump? (These are genuine questions but for some reason they sound weird the way I worded them, sorry!!)

We end up with very little trash, most things end up in the compost or recycling. We have about 1 small bag a week and if we run out of trash bags we'll just use the plastic shopping bags that somehow accumulate even though we use reusable shopping bags. I wonder if you could reuse a sturdy plastic shopping bag a few times (they are sometimes less prone to ripping than designated 'trash bags') to at least extend their life until you find something better?

Oh and maybe check a camping supply store???? They might have some kind of large waterproof bag??

ETA: Actually, now that I'm thinking about it, I'm wondering why you couldn't just go without a bag? And just wash out the trashcan itself as needed?? We do this with our compost bin...

[Satori]

Originally Posted by crunchy_mommy 

I don't know, but I know our town won't pick up trash that isn't bagged. Does your town not have this rule, or do you have a way around it? And how do you plan on transferring the trash to... whatever you put it in to get to the dump? (These are genuine questions but for some reason they sound weird the way I worded them, sorry!!)

We end up with very little trash, most things end up in the compost or recycling. We have about 1 small bag a week and if we run out of trash bags we'll just use the plastic shopping bags that somehow accumulate even though we use reusable shopping bags. I wonder if you could reuse a sturdy plastic shopping bag a few times (they are sometimes less prone to ripping than designated 'trash bags') to at least extend their life until you find something better?

Oh and maybe check a camping supply store???? They might have some kind of large waterproof bag??

ETA: Actually, now that I'm thinking about it, I'm wondering why you couldn't just go without a bag? And just wash out the trashcan itself as needed?? We do this with our compost bin...

We don't have private trash cans but huge blue dumpsters, they take what ever is in it 2x a week. It doesn't matter if its bagged because within hours of throwing it in its ripped open anyway by people looking for cans and bottles. I've only seen stuff fly out of the dumpster once and thats because they cleaned out a hoarders house down the way and the thing was literally overflowing and all the light weight stufff flew off the top and 50-80mph wind gusts were not helping matters. As for the trash can I would need to wash it out pretty much daily/every other day and I do not want to. We don't have space for compost and such (apt living) so everything goes in the trash.

[crunchy_mommy]

Originally Posted by Satori 

We don't have private trash cans but huge blue dumpsters, they take what ever is in it 2x a week. It doesn't matter if its bagged because within hours of throwing it in its ripped open anyway by people looking for cans and bottles. I've only seen stuff fly out of the dumpster once and thats because they cleaned out a hoarders house down the way and the thing was literally overflowing and all the light weight stufff flew off the top and 50-80mph wind gusts were not helping matters. As for the trash can I would need to wash it out pretty much daily/every other day and I do not want to. We don't have space for compost and such (apt living) so everything goes in the trash.

Got it. Makes sense now!!

What about something like this? http://www.diaperware.com/productpage/wahmies.htm#dsqpail

[mamayogibear]

The dollar store has 'waterproof' laundry bags that are about the size of a kitchen trash can. I usually don't buy from there but it's right next to the laundromat closest to my house and my hair diperpail/washing machine broke about a month ago so I go there weekly now. I bought one and have been using it as a wet bag for dipes since my blueberry wet bag only holds about four days worth of dipes. Also you could look on diaperswappers for a cheap used wetbag. Good luck

[Satori]

Originally Posted by mamayogibear 

The dollar store has 'waterproof' laundry bags that are about the size of a kitchen trash can. I usually don't buy from there but it's right next to the laundromat closest to my house and my hair diperpail/washing machine broke about a month ago so I go there weekly now. I bought one and have been using it as a wet bag for dipes since my blueberry wet bag only holds about four days worth of dipes. Also you could look on diaperswappers for a cheap used wetbag. Good luck

Thank you for the idea! I actually have a waterproof laundry bag and it should work!:)