16 Ways to Upcycle Brown Paper Bags

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Paper grocery bags are often reused as lunch, trash, and recycling sacks, but there are many more creative, longer-lasting options. If you have a pile of paper bags to whittle through, here are some awesome upcycling ideas.

The Best Ideas for Upcycling Brown Paper Bags

1. Hair Bow

via Neat Bows For Cool Kids

Brown Paper Bag Hair Bows
NeatBowsForCoolKids

2. Origami Heart Flowers

via Copple Shop

Upcycled Brown Paper Bag Origami Heart Flowers
coppleshop

3. Fancy Envelopes

via Le Box Boutique

Kraft Envelopes with Washi Paper Tape
leboxboutique

4. Fancy Bookmark

via Copple Shop

Origami Bookmark My Poorly Sutured Heart, Embroidered
coppleshop

5. Travel Journal Cover

via Montclair Made

Travel Journal no.2- Maine- Mini Notebook- Repurposed Brown Paper Bag Cover
MontclairMade

6. Table Seating Cards

via Bird and Whale

wedding - Table seating cards- made from upcycled Trader Joe Bags
birdandwhale

7. Flower Headband

via Styles By Stiles

Brown Paper Bag headband
StylesByStiles

8. Art Sketchbook Cover

via Eclectic Cosmos

Sketchbook Stab Bound Recycled
eclecticCosmos

9. Pretty Gift Tag and/or Gift Wrapping

via Noble Earth

Gift Tags, Rustic Gift Labels, Brown Recycled Paper, Just For You love tag
NobleEarth

10. Picture Album or Scrapbook

via BAM Crafty Mommas

Cat Paper Bag Album Scrapbook
bamcraftymommas

11. Wallet or Passport Cover

via ideaka

Brown Paper Bag Wallet
ideaka
Brown Paper Bag Passport Cover
ideaka

12. Greeting Card

via Carlin Card Creations

Upcycled Grocery Bag, just a note, set of 2 folded note cards and envelopes made with recycled grocery sack
CarlinCardCreations

13. Makeup Pouch

via Chok Dee

zippered repurposed recycled upcycled paper makeup pouches
ChokDee

14. Tiny Earrings

via Upcycle Your World

Tiny hand rolled paper bead earrings made from a paper bag
UpcycleYourWorld

15. Gift Bows

via Copple Shop

Handmade Gift Bows from a Brown Grocery Bag
coppleshop

16. Stickers

via Noble Earth

Eco-friendly Heart Stickers, Brown Bag Recycled Upcycled
NobleEarth

Brown paper bags are so versatile, don’t you think? Share what you like to do with your leftover bags in the comments below!

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