Don't Throw Away That Empty Sugar Bag Yet — It Will Come in Handy Later

When it comes to kitchen staples, chance are high that you've got sugar sitting somewhere around your pantry or cabinet. But whether you either pour your sugar into a more accessible container, or you just get to the bottom of that bag, here's a reason not to throw out that empty sugar bag.

Table sugar, brown sugar, and confectioner's sugars all often come in double-layered paper bags that are thicker and more durable than other types of food bags. Certain flours also sometimes come in similar bags with this sturdier texture. This is largely for two purposes. First, sugars and flours are typically very dense and heavy in large quantities, so you don't want a bag ripping the second you try to lift it up. Second, because the granules are usually so tiny, you don't want them filtering through the bag and slowly spilling everywhere.

So, once you've finally gotten to the bottom of that sugar bag, what can you do with it? Because of those extra thick fibers, they make great all-purpose bags to use when you need to carry things that are heavier or sharper. One Twitter user recently pointed out that she always keeps a few empty sugar bags on hand for picking up broken glass and similar objects. They're great for storing glass that you're recycling so that it doesn't tear your plastic recycling bag when you take it to your outdoor bins. You can also use them as storage bags for picnic items like cheese and sandwiches.

Here are a few additional hacks for recycling common kitchen and food items like watermelon rinds, used lemons, avocado peels, and coffee grounds. They'll save you money and save waste.

This article originally appeared on our sister site, First for Women.