Paper bags are everywhere. As single-use plastic bags continue to be phased out or banned across the country, more businesses and shoppers are turning to paper — and for good reason. Paper bags are recyclable, compostable, and far more versatile than most people realize. But here's the thing: before you drop them in the recycling bin, there's a lot of life still left in them.
Whether you've got a stack of kraft carryout bags from the grocery store, a handful of twist handle bags from your favorite boutique, or flat bottom bags from a recent holiday haul, the uses of paper bags go well beyond a single shopping trip. All it takes is a little creativity — and the willingness to think outside the bag.
This list works for every type of paper bag: carryout, pinch bottom, twist handle, flat bottom, kraft, and white paper alike. Read on for 20 practical, creative, and eco-friendly ideas you can start using today.
- What Are Paper Bags? Exploring Their History, Types and Uses
- Paper Shopping Bags by Material and Use: A Guide for Businesses
- Paper Bag Sizes: How to Select the Best Size for Your Products
- How Are Paper Bags Made: Step-by-Step Guide
10 Creative Uses for Paper Bags During the Holidays
The holiday season is peak paper bag season. Between Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year's, most households end up with more bags than they know what to do with. Here's how to put them to work — and save money on supplies in the process.
1. (Re)Gift Bags
Transform a plain paper shopping bag into a stunning gift bag with a little decoration. Add ribbons, bows, stickers, or hand-drawn designs to personalize it. Fold the top down with a crease for a cleaner look, punch two holes, and thread ribbon through to make a handle. It's a zero-waste gift presentation that still looks polished.
2. Gift Wrapping
Cut paper bags open along the seams to create large, flat sheets of kraft paper — perfect for wrapping gifts of all shapes and sizes. The natural brown tone looks great with twine, greenery, or a hand-stamped design. It's one of the most popular eco-friendly paper bag ideas precisely because it replaces shiny foil wrapping paper that can't be recycled.
3. Gift Tags
Cut leftover paper into small rectangles, circles, or any shape you like. Punch a hole in the corner, thread a piece of ribbon or twine through, and you've got a custom gift tag. Write the recipient's name with a marker or paint pen, or let the kids decorate them with stamps and crayons.
4. Ornaments
Paper bags make surprisingly sturdy material for DIY holiday ornaments. Cut shapes — stars, snowflakes, trees — and layer or fold them into 3D designs. A little paint or glitter goes a long way, and these lightweight decorations look great on a tree or strung as garland across a mantel.
5. Luminaries
One of the most beautiful and simple paper bag crafts of the season: fold down the top of a bag, add a small amount of sand or decorative stones for weight, and place a flameless LED candle inside. Cut out shapes (stars, snowflakes, simple patterns) before assembly if you want the light to shine through in interesting ways. Line a front walkway or porch steps for a warm, welcoming glow.
6. Centerpiece Holders
Roll down the top of a paper bag to create a rustic open-top container, then fill it with seasonal greenery, pinecones, small ornaments, or fresh flowers. Group two or three together in different sizes for an easy, low-cost table centerpiece that looks intentionally designed.
7. Holiday Craft Projects
Paper bags are an ideal material for kids' holiday crafts. Use them as canvases for collages, cut them up for paper mâché projects, or fold them into homemade cards and envelopes. The brown kraft texture gives a warm, handmade quality to any project — no art supply store trip required.
8. Donate
If your bags are in good condition, consider donating them to local charities, food banks, or thrift stores before or after the holidays. Many organizations that distribute food or clothing donations need sturdy bags and are grateful for the contribution. It's a simple way to pass along something useful.
9. Fire Starter
Heading into the colder months, paper bags are excellent kindling. Crumple one loosely and place it beneath your wood in a fireplace, fire pit, or outdoor chiminea to get the fire going quickly. Make sure the bags are plain paper with no plastic coating, wax lining, or metallic inks before using them this way.
10. Holiday Banners
Cut paper bags into triangles or rectangles, decorate each panel with letters or festive designs, and string them together with twine to make a custom banner. "Happy Holidays," "Merry & Bright," or even a guest's name for a party — this is one of those repurpose paper bags ideas that looks far more intentional than its DIY origins suggest.
10 More Great Uses for Paper Bags — All Year Long
The creative uses for paper bags don't stop when the decorations come down. Here are ten practical ideas you can use throughout the year — in the kitchen, the garden, the classroom, and beyond.
11. Lunch Bags
Reusing a paper shopping bag as a lunch bag is one of the easiest swaps you can make. Pack a dry lunch inside, use it through the day, and recycle it when you're done. Smaller flat bottom bags work particularly well and hold a surprising amount. It's a small habit that saves plastic zip bags and disposable packaging over time.
12. Sewing and Craft Patterns
Cut paper bags open into large flat sheets and use them to draft or trace sewing patterns, knitting stencils, or crochet templates. The paper is sturdy enough to hold its shape but flexible enough to work with easily — and much cheaper than buying pattern paper. This is one of the most underrated brown paper bag uses for crafters.
13. Book Covers
Remember making book covers from paper bags in elementary school? The technique still works perfectly. Cut the bag to fit, fold the edges over the front and back covers, and crease along the spine. Decorate with markers or stickers if you like. It protects textbooks, notebooks, and journals from wear and tear — and it's completely free.
14. Drawer Liners
Cut paper bags into flat sheets and use them to line kitchen drawers, pantry shelves, or closet shelves. They absorb spills, keep surfaces clean, and can be swapped out easily when they get dirty or worn. It's a low-effort, zero-cost upgrade for keeping cabinets and drawers tidy.
15. Composting
Plain paper bags — particularly those made from kraft paper without plastic linings or coatings — are compostable and a welcome addition to any compost pile. Tear them into strips and layer them in with food scraps and yard waste to help balance moisture. They break down relatively quickly and add carbon-rich material that healthy compost needs. Always check the label first to confirm the bag is compostable.
16. Craft Table Protection
Before you break out the paint, glitter, hot glue, or spray cans, cut open a few paper bags and lay them flat to protect your work surface. They're absorbent, disposable, and wide enough to cover a good-sized table. This is especially handy for kids' art projects, where messes are guaranteed.
17. Pet Bedding
If you have small pets — hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, or rats — shredded paper bags make excellent cage bedding. It's soft, absorbent, and biodegradable. Avoid bags with dyes, glossy coatings, or inks that haven't been confirmed non-toxic. Many animal shelters also accept paper bags as donations for enrichment materials and nesting supplies.
18. Seedling Pots
Paper bags can be folded into small, open-top containers, filled with potting soil and seeds, and used as biodegradable seedling starters. When it's time to transplant, place the whole thing directly into the garden bed — the paper breaks down naturally in the soil without disturbing the roots. Set them in a waterproof tray while they're indoors to protect your surfaces from drainage.
19. Leftover Carryout
After a dinner party or family gathering, paper shopping bags are the perfect vessel for sending leftovers home with guests. They're sturdy, have handles in many styles, and guests can recycle them when they're done. It's a practical use that saves you from searching for spare containers at the end of a long evening.
20. Refrigerator Odor Absorber
One of the more surprising uses of paper bags: crumple one up and place it inside an empty refrigerator drawer or on a shelf. Leave it for a day or two. The paper absorbs odors naturally, freshening the fridge without any chemicals or special products. For faster results, add a small amount of activated charcoal to the bag before placing it inside.
Before You Recycle: What to Check
When a paper bag has run its course and you're ready to recycle it, a quick check makes a real difference in whether it actually gets processed correctly.
- Look for the label. Most paper bags will have a label on the bottom or side indicating whether they are recyclable or compostable. If there's no label, check with your local recycling program, as standards vary by municipality.
- Remove plastic handles and accessories. Twisted paper handles are generally fine, but plastic or ribbon handles should be removed before recycling. Any plastic windows, liners, or coatings can contaminate the recycling stream.
- No grease or heavy food residue. Bags with significant grease or moisture (think fast food bags) may not be accepted for paper recycling. In many cases, these can go into a compost bin instead, as long as the bag itself is compostable.
- Follow the order: reuse first, then compost, then recycle. The most sustainable path is always to extend the life of a bag through reuse before recycling it. Every additional use reduces the environmental cost of producing it in the first place.
Paper bags are one of the more flexible materials in your household waste stream — and with a little thought, they rarely need to be discarded after just one use. Whether you're decorating for the holidays, starting seeds in the spring, or just packing a lunch on a Tuesday, there's almost always a second life waiting for a paper bag. The key is to keep a few on hand and remember to think outside the bag.
