DIY: More Fused Plastic Bags
by Kathreen Ricketson, Canberra, Australia 
on 07.11.07
A while ago we wrote about fusing plastic bags together to make a hard wearing plastic fabric that can be sewn into something else. Etsy Labs published a tutorial on this process and CRAFTzine and WhipUp both published stories on this technique. Now there is more and it seems that lots of people are discovering some creative recycling fun with this simple way to make use of discarded plastic shopping bags.
Betz White, known for her creative re-use of discarded woolen garments, has put her creative energies into experimenting with this fusing process with layering, and plastic appliqué techniques, with some great results (see above image). ::Etsy Labs fusing plastic tutorial ::Image at Betz White
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hm... letmethink... heating plastic bags at home with the iron... releasing loads of poisonous and harmful and extremely non-green and polluting fumes and gases in the process. One of the tutorial recomends opening a window so you don't pollute your in-house atmosphere with these gases.
it is not safe and not eco-friendly!
I will pass on this one and let professional recycling companies do their business They have appropriate equipment installed and I'm sure will have less per-bag environmental impact in the end.
Kit,
Do you have any information to back up your assertions? Just because you heat plastic does not necessarily mean that you volatilize significant quantities of it. Thermoplastic materials, like those in plastic bags, are made up on long chains of hydrocarbons that form linkages between the chains (both chemical and physical) when they cool. When you heat them, they melt because the hydrogen bonds between the chains are not strong enough to hold at the higher temperatures.
While some volatiles may be released in the process, it's not as if you are burning anything (unless you get parts of the plastic too hot), or even volatilizing some organic solvent or glue. I haven't tried the ironing myself, but you shouldn't take your misconceptions about the process and turn them into a condemnation.
I love this idea! And that bag is really cute.
I love the idea of fusing plastic! I currently make the bags into rugs and this is a great idea for me to try. Its something different to save the bag from a life of damnation in a landfill because someone didnt care enough to recycle! I say we charge forward in the plight to save the Bag and give it a new life!
How strong is this material? Is it like canvas? strong enough to make a backpack? I like the idea. Was thinking of making a raincoat or even an tent!
How strong is this material? Is it like canvas? strong enough to make a backpack? I like the idea. Was thinking of making a raincoat or even an tent!
How strong is this material? Is it like canvas? strong enough to make a backpack? I like the idea. Was thinking of making a raincoat or even an tent!
Ummm hubby is a trained volunteer fireman. I asked him about this project. He says it can be very hazardous, and carcinogenic. Plastics when melted, even slightly may give off arsenic, and cyanide gasses. It can be culmulative, though he said to try the project. Wear a Niosh/Miosh mask and do it outdoors for pete's sake.
Arsenic and cynaide gas, those are volatile enough for me!
I don't see how this would be anymore harmful then ironing perler beads--and those are marketed at children.
Interesting thing Kit, recycling companies will usually melt down thermoplastics (such as plastic grocery bags) into plastic pellets, which will then be sold as raw materials for plastic manufacturers to use and re-melt into whatever shapes they're making.
So actually fusing plastic bags with your iron at home may come with less risk to the environment, because ultimately you use less energy and release less volatiles than a typical recycling process would.