Grocery Bag Organizer Dispenser

 

 As a crafter, I like to use things I've accumulated to organize my stuff. I can usually find something I need in my recycling bin to help me get organized. Who doesn't love repurposing items? They make for good projects. And there are plenty of them, too! Most of the containers our food comes in like cans, bottles, glass jars and even cardboard boxes can all be repurpose! And with a little creativity, they can be quite decorative and functional, too! 

Take, for example, the Lysol wipes container - and re-using it as a dispenser to hold bags from the grocery store. You'd be surprised how many bags you can put in this container! I know this idea has been around but it's one of the best ideas I've seen to store grocery bags! So I'm making a few to use around my home, too. 

I use grocery bags to line all of my small trash cans - including the ones I have in my bathrooms, craftroom/computer room, and bedrooms. I also use them in the kitchen when I'm cutting up vegetables like celery and onions - you know the cut off ends will clog up the garbage disposal if thrown in - ask me how I know this! I also use garbage bags when I'm throwing out old leftovers from the fridge, tool So you can see why I need several bag dispensers around the house!  I usually just throw the empty bags onto a shelf like this:

 But really, it's so easy and simple to turn a wipes container into a decorative bag dispenser! Here's how:

Materials 

Wipes cylinder container - like Lysol or Clorox

Grocery bags

Ruler or tape measure

Self-adhesive Vinyl paper

Directions

Remove the label from the wipes container and thoroughly clean it, including removing the outside glue residue and inside area. Then dry with a paper towel. You don't want any previous liquid residue getting on the bags. Next, measure the area around the container and its' height. Then take a sheet of self-adhesive vinyl paper (Hobby Lobby) .  .  .

turning it over and using the measuring lines on the back to cut out the width and height of the container. You may need to piece the paper together for full coverage. I love this paper because it is sticky on the back so you don't need to have any additional glue to secure it to the container. Did I tell you that it's vinyl, too? Plus, it's removable if you don't line up the edges correctly the first time.

Once the paper is cut to the container size, separate a portion of the backing from the decorative facing at the edge and apply the decorative paper edge to the straight edge line that's on the container (there's one on the side when the plastic container was formed) - this makes it very easy to put the paper on straight.

Once the paper is lined up, begin smoothing it out on the container, while slowly removing the backing.

Continue smoothing the paper on the container while removing the backing .  .  .

until the container is covered. An additional circular piece can be cut out and attached to the top for a pretty decorative look!

Now it's time to roll the bags to fit in the container. 

Lay the first bag out on a work surface - smoothing it to remove any air pockets. The bags have  pleated box ends where you can insert your fingers into each end to easily snap the bags back into the original folded position.

Then fold the bag in half, matching the handles together and again, smoothing the bag out to remove any air.

Then fold the handles over and out to the side .  .  .

and begin rolling the bag neatly toward the bottom.

But before reaching the bottom, place just the handles of another folded bag on top of the first bag in order to get the dispensing effect .  .  .

and continue rolling the bags.

Adding more as you roll - just placing the handles on top of each additional bag.

Just remember to leave the end of the last bag that you roll visible, and then place the handles of the next bag on top of that bag and continue to roll - pushing the air out as you roll.

You should be able to roll up at least forty or more bags - which is a lot! Most wipe containers can hold up to fifty standard size grocery bags.

When you've finished rolling the bags, give a final squeeze to remove any air and insert the rolled bags with the handle sticking out into the wipes container.

After the rolled bags have been placed in the container, attach the top and pull the handles through the slotted opening.

What an awesome way to store bags .  .  .

while leaving space on the shelf to store other items, too! Lol!

It’s time for our monthly blog challenge! Every month a group of blogging friends,  participate in a challenge blog hop hosted by Beverly @Across the Blvd. For the first month of the year, our focus is on Organization Ideas! I'm sure you can’t wait to see how others met this month’s challenge!

Be sure to visit all of these talented bloggers for their organization ideas:

Across the Blvd

Domestic Deadline

Purple Hues and Me

Coastal Bohemian

Slices of Life

Cookies, Coffee, and Crafts

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

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