Plastic Milk Bag Mats

I took LLS to his library class today. I settled into a chair at the back of the room, as I usually do. Another woman who brings her granddaughter to the same class sat next to me. During the 30 minute class I typically check my email etc on my phone, but today the woman next to me unravelled a roll of plastic (recycled bags) and started crocheting. My curiosity took over and I just had to ask.

Have you heard of plastic milk bag mats? Well, I hadn’t. And now I am going to tell you a bit about them.

So here, in (some parts of) Canada, you can buy milk in bags. Milk bags, eh? You can purchase milk in 1-litre recyclable plastic bags. You put the bag in a pitcher and then cut off the corner so you can pour the milk. Milk bags use less plastic, which means they are cheaper and less wasteful.

And apparently you can then use the milk bags to crochet mats. Who knew? These mats are used to pack medical supplies to be sent to Haiti. Once there, they are used as sleeping mats. Medical staff also use them in the hospitals. They are easy to wash, can be air-dried and do not support bacteria growth like grass and reed mats, the wonderful woman next to me at the library informs me.

What a great idea! Unfortunately, I have not crocheted in many years and at this time cannot squeeze another committment into my life…but I happen to know someone who does crochet. So, Mom, don’t be surprised when a box of milk bags show up at your house.

Interested in learning more about milk bag mats, including tutorials? Check out Bags for Beds.

I was not paid to write this post. I was/am genuinely curious about this cause.

Keep plastic bags out of the landfills and help people in need. Makes sense to me.