an alternative to the usual plastic sandwich bags

A little while ago, I came across the wrap-n-mat for holding sandwiches and really liked the idea. The wrap-n-mat holds your sandwich and then couples as a placemat / napkin. These wrap-n-mats are pretty expensive though, but I’ve come across a way that you can make one of these at home with recycled plastic bags.

Chica and Jo have created a tutorial for making a sandwich wrap from fusing together old plastic shopping bags and stitching on a cotton backing and some velcro.

This idea has all the hallmarks of a good craft project: practical, economical, recycles materials and reduces waste. And when you’ve finished your sandwich – just throw them in the washing machine (cold wash) for next week.

I am a little sceptical about the safety of the plastic, if you’re doing this kind of project, you would want to be in a well ventilated space when you iron the shopping bags (as suggested by the authors). The authors also suggest using zip lock bag type plastic instead of shopping bag plastic if you’re concerned that the plastic is not food grade standard.

Alternatively, you could buy some poly-plastic that was more food grade, but obviously this wouldn’t be as economical.

For more ideas on using fused plastic in projects, you can check out Notes from a very red kitchen for a snack bag template and follow the links that she gives for making other items from fused plastic.

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Have you read these posts?

1. A Novel Alternative To Plastic Shopping Bags As Bin Liners
2. An Alternative To Plastic Fruit And Veg Bags
3. tip tuesday – wash your plastic bags
4. bags, west wing, nappies and other miscellanea
5. tip tuesday–frugal toasted sandwich press