How to Reuse Bread Bag Clips–Over 10 Ideas to Try!
In my local zero-waste group, regular questions are: “what can we do with all of these bread bag ties?” or “How can I reuse bread bag clips?” And they are valid questions! They are such a random and annoying bit of plastic. Since they are so small, there is a really good chance they won’t get recycled if thrown in the bin due to falling through the machines.
In an effort to help keep these bits of plastic out of the landfill, I’m sharing some ideas on how to reuse bread bag clips.
Header art is a beautiful tag! See instructions to make your own here!
10 Ideas for How to Reuse Bread Bag Clips
I’ve shared before that I think reducing and reusing are far more important than recycling. Giving things new life and purpose is a great way to reduce what we buy and keep things out of the landfill. That’s why I love sharing lists for how to reuse items and wanted to come up with ways to reuse bread bag clips.
Here are 10+ ideas for how to reuse bread bag clips:
1. Make a cat toy
The best cat toy I ever gave my cat was a bread bag clip tied to the end of a ribbon. It was a spur of the moment improvisation that she absolutely loved! It was also the most cost effective toy I ever had for her too.
2. Label your cords
If you have a number of cords plugged into an outlet, use bread bag clips to label each of them. This will save you from having to guess which plug belongs to which item.
3. Keep cords tidy and coiled up (works for ribbon and string too!)
If you are storing cords, use the clip to to keep them coiled up and tidy. You could also wrap extra bits of string or ribbon around the bread bag clip to keep the pieces organized.
4. Save bread bag clips for a fundraisers
Collect bread bag clips for a fundraiser! Unfortunately we don’t have a fundraiser locally in British Columbia, but there are some internationally.
Here are links to fundraisers:
Bread Tags for Wheelchairs in South Africa, in Australia, and in New Zealand.
Danielle Cares for Chairs in the USA.
Do you have a local fundraiser using bread bag clips? I’d love to add it to the list!
One company is getting extra creative with reusing bread bag clips and fundraising, making beautiful products out of transformed bread tags. Isn’t this amazing?!
5. Scratch off lottery tickets
Lotto scratch tickets are a fun stocking stuffer we often get at Christmas time and I enjoy them, but they leave a horrible mess under finger nails. A bread bag tag is perfect for avoiding that mess!
6. Use one as a guitar pick
Need a guitar pick in a pinch? Did you break or lose your last one? The hard plastic of a bread bag clip can easily act as a temporary replacement.
7. Create an activity using clips as counting pieces
If bread bag clips are anything, they sure are durable, so that makes them perfect for reusing. If you are helping someone practice math or learn to count, these pieces can be excellent counting pieces.
8. Create a colour sorting activity using different colour clips
Bread bag clips also come in a variety of colours, so if you are teaching colours or learning to match colours, these are fun and simple tools to use.
9. Get creative and use bread bag clips in crafting or art projects
Glue them down into fun shapes and patterns, cut them up or melt them down, or get creative in a different way–using miscellaneous items for craft projects is a great way to get the creativity flowing.
10. Use them for their original purpose–a bag tie
If you have some random bags that you are saving to reuse (those original bread bags, perhaps?) then why not use the bread bag clips for their original purpose–to close a bag.
Bonus Idea!
Thanks to @coastisclaire_ on Twitter for this idea!
11. Use a bread bag tie as a quick fix to mend a broken flip flop.
So genius! Check out the tweet below for how to do it and head over to add any of your ideas too!
How do you Reuse Bread Bag Clips?
Do you have a fun, unique, or practical way that you reuse bread bag clips? We’d love to keep this list growing in the comments!
Making Your Own Bread
If you’ve been looking for recipes to minimize your waste and have thought about making your own bread (and therefore skipping the need to reuse bread bag clips altogether), check out Krista’s post and her go-to bread recipes: 4 Ways to Shrink Your Grocery Bill by Going Low Waste
Inspired to Reuse More Items?
Check out our other lists:
26 Ways to Reuse Glass Jars
10 Ways to Reuse Takeout Containers
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23 Comments
Michelle (Boomer Eco Crusader)
What brilliant ideas! I hate plastic bag clips. I wish companies would switch to paper twist ties. I’m going to start using mine to keep my charging cables organized.
A Sustainably Simple Life
Thank you Michelle!
I agree on the twist ties. They are so much easier to reuse than the clips. I’m glad there were some practical suggestions you can use for the clips though! 🙂
GWT
Ooh, I remember these in the West Indies. Haven’t seen much of them in the UK. Now I’m wishing we did have them here as the tidying chords and wires is so effective. Currently use ribbons. The emergency flip flop fix, like that too.
A Sustainably Simple Life
That’s so interesting! What do they use in the UK? I’d much prefer something like a twist tie to the plastic clips as they are easier to reuse, but the plastic clips are handy for some things 🙂
Fransic verso
Great ideas, the fundraiser is such a good idea. It helps not to throw it away fort nothing
A Sustainably Simple Life
Thank you! 🙂 I love the fundraiser idea too. I wish there was one local to me, but I’m so glad there are a number of them out there.
Fadima Mooneira
Oh wow!!!!! These are good ideas to reused bread clips. I need to be doing all these. Love these ideas. Thank you for sharing.
A Sustainably Simple Life
Thank you so much! 🙂
Gail Is This Mutton
This is such a great post! Really good ideas for reusing the tags creatively.
A Sustainably Simple Life
Thank you Gail 🙂
Michelle
Brilliant ideas I would give mine for fundraiser a good cause
A Sustainably Simple Life
That’s a great way to use them! 🙂
Caroline
I’m not sure that I’ve seen these bread tags before, I tend to get mine in a paper bag or one with the sticker. I really love these ideas though, really innitiative! x
A Sustainably Simple Life
These might not exist in the UK and I’m loving that fact! Someone else mentioned they’d never seen these there before. They are everywhere here. Thanks for reading and commenting 🙂
Stephanie
Okay, but using them to organize cords is GENIUS! Most of our bread bags come with twisty ties, but I do see these clips on our groceries occasionally. Now I know not to throw them away, but reuse them for other things. Great ideas!
A Sustainably Simple Life
Thanks Stephanie! 🙂
So glad to hear these ideas will help you find a use for the occasional clip you do get!
Molly Transatlantic Notes
Using them to keep wires tidy is brilliant! I will have to do that with the ones I have — great post!
A Sustainably Simple Life
Thanks so much Molly! 🙂 Love that you’re going to use yours for that!
readandreviewit1
Fab tips! I wish something like paper was used for bread ties instead. I love the idea of using them to make a cat toy – I’m sure my cat would really appreciate it – and using them to organise wires is genius too! Thanks for sharing 🙂
A Sustainably Simple Life
Thank you! 🙂
I wish an alternative was used too. Hopefully one day soon!
Karalee
These are all great ideas! I had no idea what to do with the bread tags either, but I do like the idea of using them for cords & also I can use them for activities & crafts with my daughter!
A Sustainably Simple Life
Thanks Karalee! So happy there were some inspiring ideas for you 🙂
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