Ask Trash Queen: Are fabric packaging bags really a better option?

Wednesday, 19 October 2022

Alex Kirkham AKA Trash Queen is a waste specialist, here to answer all your rubbish-related questions.

Dear Trash Queen,

I’m at a loss with what to do with the fabric covers that come with new linen (sheets, duvet covers). These seem to be increasingly used but once the linen is out of the packaging I have no use for it. I’m not going to repurpose the fabric myself so any ideas would be gratefully received.

- Briar, Auckland

A: Unfortunately at the moment, there isn’t a system that could recover and recycle these small textile bags that come with new linens in them. They do seem to be becoming more popular.

The good thing is that they tend to be made of the same fabric as the sheets, so more than likely to be cotton or polycotton rather than synthetic fibres, which means they have a few more recycling options.

One way of making use of them is potentially (depending on their size) using them as fruit or vegetable bags when you do your shopping, so you don’t have to use the plastic single-use ones.

**READ MORE:

Drawstring fabric bags could be useful for bulk bin shopping such as nuts and seeds.

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They are quite light so shouldn’t weigh too much on the scales. The ones that come with a drawstring could be useful for bulk bin shopping such as nuts and seeds.

Alternatively you could offer them to a kindergarten or school to use as lunch bags, stationery holders or arts and craft supplies.

Because they are generally made of cotton or polycotton, they could potentially be turned into rags, depending on their size, and so popping them into a clothing donation bin will hopefully see them turned into rags.

If you have a question about what to do with waste, send it to sundaymagazine@stuff.co.nz.