One of the things we love about crafting is finding new ways to use recycled materials to create eco-friendly projects. There are also plenty of great DIY projects that help reduce the amount of waste we produce in the first place. We’ve compiled some beginner-friendly sewing projects that can help you do just that. Reduce, reuse, recycle!

deliacreates.com

Easy Produce Bag

Instead of reaching for the roll of plastic bags in the produce section of your grocery store, make your own produce bags — it's kind to the environment and an easy project for beginner crafters. You can make as many bags in as many different sizes and colors as you need. Just grab some of your old T-shirts and follow the instructions found at Delia Creates.

sewmuchado.com

Reusable Duster Cloths

Duster cloths on a stick are really convenient for cleaning your house. But those disposable cloths aren’t exactly environmentally friendly. Instead, try making these reusable and washable duster cloths by following the instructions at Sew Much Ado.

merrimentdesign.com

Reusable Sandwich Bags

Kids take lunches to school every day, but there’s no reason for those lunches to generate a lot of extra trash. Instead of using plastic baggies, send your kid to school with their lunch in these reusable cotton and nylon sandwich bags. For more info, visit Merriment Design.

mystudiobellingham.wordpress.com

Bowl Cover

Instead of using plastic wrap to cover your open containers, try making this handy, stretchy bowl cover. Not only does it limit your use of plastic, it also limits the amount of food that might go to waste. For more information, visit the Kitschy Kitchen blog.

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to combine old bath towels and cute flannel prints to make your own roll of reusable UNpaper towels for quick kitchen clean-ups.

Forget the plastic bags (and paper too) when you go shopping — bring your own market totes that you can quickly stitch up yourself with sturdy upholstery fabric. In this video, you'll learn how to create a nice lining and a flat bottom so the totes will stand up nicely when they're filled with groceries in the back of your car.