There are plenty of places that will sell you all sorts of reusable bags to carry your groceries home. But the truth is, you probably don’t need them. Even if they are made from recycled textiles and handcrafted by miniature poodles in Greenland. That tote bag you got from the marketing conference a few years ago will do just fine.

Still, we know that it’s nice to show a little personality when you do your shopping, which is why we decided to make our own reusable tote bag out of our very own t-shirt. Who doesn’t love a little personalisation? If you really wanted to make a statement, you could use an old concert tee. But the shirt you got from that 5k race works too. The best part is there’s absolutely no sewing involved.

What you’ll need

• An old shirt 

• Scissors 

How to make your bag

Fold your shirt in half and cut off both sleeves (as if you’re making a very hip muscle shirt from 1987)

Unfold and cut off the collar of your shirt 

Cut 2.5 cm (or 1 inch) strips at the hem of your shirt. Tie the strips together.

Run your hand through the armholes and – voila! – you’ve made a bag!

The final step is to go to the supermarket and pick up some delicious snacks (in plastic free packaging, of course).

Thanks to Amy French for inspiring this reuse!