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Bread tags offer a multitude of possibilities for reuse. Francois Lariviere/ShutterstockKey Takeaways
- There are numerous ways to repurpose bread tags and twist ties, extending their usefulness beyond their original function. They can serve as tools for organization, decoration, and even minor home repairs.
- These items can be utilized to label cords, secure light strands, organize hair ties, locate the end of tape easily, and even curl your hair.
- By repurposing bread tags and twist ties, you help reduce waste while finding practical solutions for everyday problems, such as cleaning small spaces or hanging decorations.
If you purchase bread or hamburger rolls from the grocery store, you've likely removed a clip or twist tie to access the baked goods. Over the course of a year of buying bread, this leads to an accumulation of bread tags and twist ties. These are not easily recyclable because bread tags (also called bag clips or bread clips) are typically made of polypropylene, which is not recyclable, while twist ties are crafted from various materials, making recycling difficult. Additionally, both types of clips are very small, often getting stuck in recycling machinery.
Luckily, there are countless ways to repurpose them that can truly simplify your life. Here are some incredibly practical ways to reuse bread tags and twist ties, keeping them out of landfills.
1. Label Your Cords
Power strips are wonderful because they allow a single outlet to power multiple devices. But when it’s time to unplug something, it’s often a guessing game figuring out which cord to disconnect (think: table lamp vs. essential wireless router). To avoid the hassle, simply use plastic bag clips to label each cord. Write "lamp" or "router" or whatever the device is on the clip, then attach it to the section of the cord nearest the plug.
2. Prevent Cords From Tangling
Similarly, keep cords that aren’t in use from becoming a jumbled mess. Roll them up neatly and secure the coil with a twist tie. You’ll be amazed at how much tidier your junk drawer looks compared to your neighbor's. This trick works wonders for anything prone to tangling, like string or ribbon.
3. Keep Hair Ties Organized
A single plastic bag clip or twist tie is all you need to keep small items like rubber bands or hair ties neatly bundled together. It’s a simple trick that makes a big difference in tidying up desks, drawers, or bathrooms.
4. Secure Decorative Lights
Enhance your holiday decorations by using twist ties to attach light strands to your porch, fence, or even the tree. This will ensure they stay securely in place, instead of sagging awkwardly between nails or branches.
5. Organize Key Rings
We all have a few keys lying around with no labels, leaving us to wonder what they open. Solve the mystery (i.e., figure out the purpose of the key), then label it by writing something like "car" or "back door" on a bag clip. Attach it to the key ring, and you're all set!
6. Use as a Mini Scraper for Food
When pancake batter or ice cream drips on the counter and hardens, it can seem nearly impossible to clean. Use a bag clip as a tiny scraper to tackle these food messes. This is also a great tool for cleaning stubborn spots on pots and pans.
7. Ideal for Preschool Learning Activities
Bread tags and twist ties come in a variety of colors. Use them for an educational activity by asking a toddler to sort them! Start by grouping them by color, and then introduce concepts like ordering from lightest to darkest. You can even use them to explain basic math principles.
8. Identify Wine Glasses
Plastic bag clips are the perfect size to fit around the stem of a wine glass. Write the person’s name on the clip, and you’ve got an affordable and eco-friendly solution for labeling glasses.
9. Secure Other Bags
A twist tie can be used to seal any bag. Once your bread is gone, use it to secure a bag of rice or even a small bag of cereal from your bulk stock. Jupiterimages/Getty ImagesJust because a bag clip or twist tie came with a loaf of bread doesn’t mean it can’t work on other bags. This might be one of the simplest but most useful hacks, as we all know store-bought clips tend to break or go missing at the most inconvenient times.
10. Simplify Tape Usage
No one enjoys the hassle of peeling tape off the roll, only to have it tear and waste sticky material. After using a roll of tape, prevent the end from sticking back onto the roll by placing a plastic bag clip under it. This ensures easy access the next time you need it.
11. Create Curls Without Heat
Here’s a fun one! Twist ties can double as DIY hair curlers. Just twist wet hair around your finger and secure each curl with a twist tie. Once your hair dries, simply remove them to reveal soft curls without any heat damage.
12. Tidy Up Hard-to-Reach Spots
Twist tie ends are small enough to get into tight spaces, such as between electric razor blades or other hard-to-reach nooks. Simply slide the end into the crevice (after unplugging the device) and move it around to help dislodge any stuck items.
13. Hang Items Securely
Twist ties make for an excellent solution when you need to hang something up—whether it’s a Christmas ornament, a bunch of keys, tools, or anything else. Just be sure it’s twisted securely enough to prevent any accidents or mess.
14. Fix a Broken Zipper
If the zipper pull breaks but the zipper itself is fine, use a twist tie as a quick fix. Simply thread it through the zipper slider to make it functional again—ideal for bags or coats, just be cautious and don’t toss them in the washing machine.
15. Donate to a Worthy Cause
If you've got more plastic bread tags than you can possibly reuse, consider donating them. Gather up your extras and send them to Danielle Cares for Chairs, an organization that collects these tags, recycles them, and uses the funds to provide wheelchairs for those in need.
Did you know that bread tags come in various colors? This system helps grocery stores track when bread is packaged, so they can remove older loaves from the shelves. For example, a blue tag indicates bread packaged on Monday, green for Tuesday, and so on. (You can find a full list of tag colors in this article from Eating Well.) So, if you're shopping on a Monday, look for a loaf with a blue tag!
