The newspaper bag project

Join the newspaper bag project

Watch our video to make a small (but perfectly formed) newspaper bag! A great project for schools, family and friends, and a chance to get a bit creative, we'd love to see your creations in our gallery and on Facebook or Flickr. The finished bags should hold your shopping and they're perfect as gift bags or to hold your packed lunch.

There is a real message in this. More than 1 million plastic bags are used every minute worldwide, most of these will be sent to landfill after a single, short use. This project is about breaking the disposable habit by promoting reusable or recyclable alternatives. With your help, the finished gallery will be used to promote this message.

Share us! Bookmarks and sample links:

Inventory

  • two sheets of tabloid newspaper (approx 60cm x 40cm)
  • glue, or flour and water paste (2 parts flour to 1 part water)
  • two strips of card (20cm x 1.5cm)
  • two pieces of string (30cm)

Choose your format

How to make newspaper bags

When you're finished, click the link below to submit a small picture to our gallery. If you prefer, tag your Flickr photos with 'newspaperbagproject', and they'll be bound to appear as well!

step 2 Step 1: Stick two sheets of newspaper together by one long edge. Fold this edge down about 4cm (1½") from the top and stick the card strips inside this fold, about 3cm (1") from the left and 8cm (3") apart.

Step 2: Fold in edge A approximately 1/3 of the way across the sheet of paper. Fold in edge B so that it overlaps edge A by about 3cm (1").

Step 3: Stick the overlapping inch of edge B in between the two layers of edge A and press flat.

steps 4 and 5 Step 4: Open the bag out and make another sharp fold about 8cm (3½") from one of the two side folds. Pressing the whole thing flat again will make another fold on the opposite side. Open out as a rectangular box.

Step 5: To make the side pleats, press corner A to corner A and then B to corner B, making sure the paper folds inwards. Press down firmly and repeat on the opposite side.

Step 6: Keeping the bag flat, fold up the bottom 6cm (2½") and press down firmly. Unfold and flip over to make the same firm fold along the same crease on the other side.

step 7 Step 7: With the bag fully open, tuck in the bottom edges along the fold lines as shown. Crease the corners into triangles and stick them in place. Fold in and stick the two long base flaps down completely. Flatten the bag carefully.

Step 8: With a sharp tip or hole punch, make two small holes on each side of the top rim of the bag, approximately 7cm (2½") apart and thread the string through. Tie each end to itself, around the top rim. Use a reef knot to ensure these don't tighten when pulled, then leave the bag to dry completely!
 

Submit your newspaper bag

Please submit a picture of your bag (with its proud maker, preferably!). Please keep them under 2mb in size.
If you like, you can add a message below. If you'd like occasional updates of our progress, I'll need your email address too (this will not be shared or spammed). Feel free to get in touch with any comments!

Thank you! Your picture will appear soon.

Please spread the word and take a look for your friends' entries in the gallery!

Your comments are welcome: ronan@newspaperbagproject.com

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