Recycle Plastic Bag Craft

Okay, I’m not sure if this is toxic or not , so my disclaimer : Try this at your own risk, I will not be responsible for any bodily harm be it chemical-wise or flame-wise. Or any potential fires too.

I’ve seen these plastic fusing tutorials on the web for some time now ( here is one ). There also is a non-profit organisation in India that recycles  plastic bags into really nice handbags. I want to try it out , so I am going to start small.. drink coasters…

For this project, you’ll need:

• thin plastic bags ( one with nice illustration ; one colored ; one plain white )
• iron
• A4 printer paper

1. From the white plastic bag, cut out 6 layers of the same size. ( You will need to trim the finished project, so leave some allowances ) Next , cut some stripes from the colored bag, and also the illustration from the last bag. I’m using Mr. Bun’s logo here, isn’t he cute ?
2. Arrange the color stripes on top of all the white plastic cuttings.
3. Place the illustration on top.

4. Now place a clean piece of paper on top. Set the iron to the lowest heat setting ( nylon ) and iron it back and forth for 2-3 minutes. ( notes : if you use paper with prints, the prints will be transfered onto the plastic sheet; the illustration will run, so if you lift the paper up, make sure you put a clean portion of the paper back on or it will smudge the plastic sheet ; if holes formed, it means the iron is too hot. you can try to repair it by placing another layer on the bottom )

5. When it’s fused, the flimsy plastic sheets will then harden into one single layer.

6. Trim, and enjoy your new drink coaster !