40 Ways to Use Garbage Bags in Emergencies

Unfortunately with the help of TV programming, many people have the misconception that prepping has to be an expensive undertaking. This is simply not true. Especially when you consider all the dirt-cheap “gems” we find in emergency prepping such as garbage bags.

Check out the 40 uses for garbage bags I’ve found to be most useful in an emergency situation:

1. Set Up as a Rain Catcher
2. Use as a Poncho
3. Waterproof Shoes by Covering with Bag and Tying Around the Ankle
4. Emergency Shelter (with multiples)
5. Fill with Leaves and Climb In for Emergency Sleeping Bag (or sleep on top to use as mattress – keeping the cold ground from sucking the heat out of you)
6. Store Food In
7. Use as a Sling
8. Use as a Swimming Suit so You Keep Clothing Dry (how stylish)
9. Store Garbage (duh)
10. Store Toilet Paper and other Paper Supplies to Keep Dry
11. Use as a Windbreaker
12. Use as a Sun Jacket
13. Cut a Strip with Two Slits for Your Eyes and Tie Around Your Face Like Zorro for Make-Shift Sunglasses (it worked for the Inuits, it’ll work for you)
14. Use as Compression Bandage
15. Fill with Water for Storage (short term)
16. Use as Tent Floor/Ground Cloth
17.  Tape Edges of Bag to the Edges of Your Window Frame to Blackout Windows (must be heavy duty to shield light)
18. Use as a Backpack
19. Use to Create Shade from Sun
20. Use as Porta-Sink
21. Use to Wash Clothes In
22. Mix Ingredients for Cooking In It
23. Seal Off Room with Multiple Bags and Tape to Quarantine an Ill Person
24. Turn Off Water and Line Toilets with Bags (or line 5 gallon buckets)
25. Store Newspaper for Future Use as Fire Starter (keeping it dry)
26. Use for Concealment by Wearing Over Clothes at Night (black garbage bags)
27. Cover Wounds with Gauze and Wrap with Strips of Garbage Bag
28. Fill with Water, Tie to a Tree Branch and Poke Small Holes into the Bottom – You’ve Got an Emergency Shower
29. Use as Disposable Gloves for Cleaning
30. Use as a Tourniquet
31. Wrap Around Cloth Gloves to Make Waterproof
32. Fill with Water, Place in a Ditch then Add Hot Stones to Sterilize Water for Drinking (stones need to be hot enough to boil the water)
33. Great Bartering Item
34. Use them as Sterile Surface to Prepare Food
35. Use as Emergency Signal
36. Fill with Cold Water and Use as Cold Compress for Injuries (same can be said with hot water)
37. Use as Ties for Splints
38. While Wearing Socks, Step Into Two Layers of Bags to Use as Shoes
39. Use as Diapers (line with toilet paper)
40. Stuff Inside Your Clothing for Insulation

So there you have it. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Garbage bags are no exception. Many of these uses go for plastic grocery bags as well. So start hoarding and stock up on those garbage bags. You never know when one of these 40 will be applicable to you. Have more uses for your garbage bags? Leave them in the comments below.

Kirkland Signature Drawstring Trash Bags – 33 Gallon – Xl Size – 90 Count

Black Garbage Bags, 33×39, 33 Gallon, 100/Case, 1.7 Mil