Are you looking for a new craft project? Are you sick of all the plastic bags clogging up your kitchen drawers? Read on for inspiration…
We all know that plastic bags are terrible for the environment if they’re not disposed of properly, causing all sorts of problems for wildlife and the world around us. So it’s pretty cool that the award-winning Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, star of over 100 films in his 35-year career, recently joined up with World Environment Day to raise awareness of just how easy it can be to make your own paper bags at home.
Nicknamed “Deadly Dutt” by the Indian media for his larger-than-life portrayal of thugs and villains, Dutt nevertheless proved he’s a good guy when it comes to the environment.
As the world gradually becomes more environmentally conscious, so the problems caused by overuse of plastic carrier bags are becoming clearer by the day, meaning that alternatives such as paper bags are decisively winning the argument. Because paper bags decompose naturally, they quickly become re-absorbed into the ecosystem. Plus, by allowing air and water to pass through them, paper bags eliminate the possibility of trapping and suffocating unfortunate wildlife.
Although the Bollywood star has clearly been practising his technique, as any good actor should, making your own paper bag is actually very simple, and definitely not complicated origami! In fact it’s just a question of putting in some well-placed folds, so with just a few easily mastered techniques any sheet of paper can quickly become a useful container, meaning it can be turned into a fun craft project.
So if you’re at a loose end on a rainy Bank Holiday weekend this summer, why not try making and decorating your own bags? They make for great personalised gift bags, household ornaments and storage, and can even be used as an activity to keep the children busy for an afternoon – a few simple instructions, a handful of decorations and a packet of pens and you can keep your kids entertained for hours. Remember that by glueing or sellotaping on some pipe-cleaners, you can also create colourful handles.
