15 Trash Bag uses for Survival
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- Sensible Prepper Presents: 15 Trash Bag uses for Survival. Having a Heavy-Mil large trash bag in your survival kit could be used for more than just picking up the trash. Thinking creatively during a crisis can make life easier and even safe your life.
Thanks for watching~ Sootch00
I'd suggest placing a small pebble or stone in each corner of the bag instead of cutting holes in it if used as a tarp or shelter. This will enable you to tie around the stone with cordage, giving the trash bag less chance of tearing and keeping the underside from collecting moister from water running down the cordage once anchored.
Great video As always Don.
Very nice tip.
I'm 5 years late, but I was just coming here to suggest that. This method has saved me a couple of times when the corner grommets have ripped out of tarps with the first big gust of wind. Cheers.
This was a very good video.
Isn't it amazing how many uses there are with even the simplest of objects.
Man's best tool is his brain.
05:23 "You can use the bag as a bag"
This truly is an amazing invention!
Also 07:33 "Use a trash bag as a trash bag"
I had this on in the background and that one slipped by me, when I read your comments I lost it :D
Next video how to use shoes to protect your feet
Using a small rock or twig as a tie down button would work better for securing your shelter, that way you're not cutting unnecessary holes and will negate any possible tears. Rock on brother!
Good point. Thanks for the comment.
KnightFireLT1 I was just about to suggest the same thing. Guess I was a year too late. A balled up bit of TP would work too & no risk of cutting into the bag, plus you got fire starter material that is now weather-proof for future use.
+KnightFireLT1 To stop a rip from happening. Make an X shape with duct tape, and then poke a hole in the center of the X, (making a durable eyelet to thread the rope through). This ensures that the eyelet holes never become larger, or cause a tear in the plastic from a gust of wind, which saves this bag for many future uses.
Another function to use with the "Tent roof" is strapping a strip of duct tape on the back end hanging it down and then wrapping the duct around a medium size twig, branch, or log. This weighs down the trash bag tent in the back giving it a small slant/slope so the rain falls off in the back, and wont cause the tarp to stretch or sink. And of course you will want to position something under the dripping water so you can collect it for drinking, cooking, or washing.
And yes, +SensiblePrepper... I had just finished watching your Duct Tape Uses Video! Haha.. :)
Great Videos, Thank You SO MUCH!
yup
Was out at the range last weekend and stuck my car hard in the frozen mud.
Relay greasy 4 inches of mud, frozen beneath.
I had to crawl under my car when the tow truck arrived to hook up and was relay happy to have a couple of large trash bags to lay on.
After the car got out , I just turned the bags inside out and tossed them in the trunk. Then tossed them in the trash. No muss, no fuss.
Great item and easy to carry.
I think I can add two more to the list which I believe are covered in military training.
You have a body of water to cross, which in a survival situation is not unlikely!!
Place your clothes in the bag (nowadays carry some ziplock bags as well for electronic items), close the bag as airtight as you can with as much airspace as possible and use the bag as a makeshift flotation aid to cross the water.
When you get to the other side you have dry clothes to put on!
Excellent input. Thanks~
Forget going everywhere to beg for or buy boxes, I moved and entire household with 3 mil lawn trash bags from lowes. And when I was done with the move, I STILL had all the trash bags.
This channel is in my top 3 favorites, never a bad video here , always good and informative.
You can keep provisions and tinder dry. You can also catch fish with it you can keep clothes dry. You use it as a solar shower bladder. You can also wrap plastic around your boots in wet or winter situations .
This is a very good video. I just made a bunch of bug-out-bags for my family. I put 5 of these 50 gallon trash bags in each bag. I also put a clear painter's plastic 10 x 12 drop cloth as well. Those are few dollars but they can be used as a tarp/tent/shelter or in winter as a super shelter too.
Man, everyone should download your videos if SHTF! New prepper advice yet. I really appreciate your channel.
the big bag also works well .. as a liner for your pack .. fits fine on a large ruck .. you can also use smaller bags to wrap things in your ruck .. number one keeps them dry .. number two .. they are slicker so they work when you are packing your bag
Good versatility here. Just picked up the 5.11 rush 12 in double tap grey/black. I have these bags that are used to transport dead dogs that are almost tarp like. They come in bright orange and black.
Love the multi use items! Another great video +Sootch00
I like the bags for sure, but a small roll of Visquene (heavy duty plastic ) and a staple gun you can make a shelter that will keep you and your stuff very warm and dry. We always kept a roll of duct tape that wasn't used up. All good stuff, I really like the idea of using the bags to be insulated from the ground as you stated it will suck the heat right out of you and that's miserable even for a younger person (that I'm not) so ill be adding a few contractor bags.
LOVE the multi-uses videos !! Thanks & Keep'em coming !!
Thanks for the tips. Here is a heads up for you. Walmart recently started selling Gorilla brand trash bags. 3.3 mil 42 gallon and they claim they hold 200# each. They are square bottomed and will stand on their own in the absence of wind. A just bought a box of 12 for $12.50. If your haven't tried the Gorilla duct tape, I highly recommend it.
Good ideas. Even much thinner, lighter trash bags are very useful and easier to carry in a pocket. In cold wet conditions a second bag opened at both ends and worn as a skirt will keep your thighs dry and really help prevent hypothermia, as well as allowing you to keep moving towards better shelter and safety. An excellent way to help other people who may not be properly equipped in the outdoors.
When I go camping, I carry four trash bags ranging from 60 litre (about 15.9 gallons) household bags to 240-litre (about 63 gallon) wheelie-bin liner bags on my person at all times because they're so light, compact and versatile.
I also carry a lightweight plastic "travel" poncho and a reflective survival "blanket" but the bags are a lot more versatile.
I love your videos on how everyday items can be used for survival!
Food for thought...Why not place the garbage bag "inside" the pack, then put your gear into the bag?This way you're not cutting holes in the garbage bag for your pack straps (and subsequent possible water leakage into the bag). Additionally, this method allows you to reuse the same bag (intact) for a higher priority if needed later.
Maximus Meridius I do it that way
Thinkin the same thing
Merci de collecter et de nous transmettre toutes ces bonnes idées ; même si je ne comprend pas tout, les vidéos sont suffisamment bien faites pour que le visuel m'aide à comprendre ; bonne continuation. Annie
With 2 bags, cut out one's bottom and duct tape them together for a full size tube tent or bivy. The idea of stuffing one with leaves is great not only for padding but to stop body heat conducting away into the ground.
It's the Engineer's Raincoat! I've kept those bags around for years and have used them for pretty much everything BUT trash. I keep 3 in my Emergency Car Kit, 3 in my tool box, and 3 in my EDC/Go bag.
I wouldn't poke a hole in it when using it as a rain fly. Once you've compromised the structural integrity of those bags, they rip pretty easy. The rain will collect in the middle until that hole gives, dumping all the water on whatever is below. Wrap the corner around a small rock instead, then tie the cord around that.
You come up with the best ideas😉 I swear you can think up a hundred uses for the darnedest things.
Got me thinking! Buying two boxes at work tomorrow. Thank you
Trash bags are a very useful as a solar still. Bunch up several twigs still attached to a tree, put the bag over them, cinch it closed and the heat and sun will draw moisture out from the tree.
Also, just put the trash bag inside your pack, with your gear in the trash bag to water proof the gear. This also causes your pack to be buoyant enough to be used as a floatation device.
King Grizzly Beard
Of course with a solar still if the tree is poisonous (ie Manchineel trees), you got a problem!! 🌿💀 💀 💀
Great ideas, esp the makeshift mattress & moisture catcher.
Great video!
I once used two bags as a sort of air filled bivy sack. By leaving lots of air space the fire's radiant energy heats the dead space and creates a mini greenhouse. I originally was using them as a lean-to shelter but the cold motivated me to try a greenhouse approach.
How quickly does the moisture build up? You don't want to get wet inside the bag.
Black Wolf
Moisture was not a problem at all.
I should point out that the lean-to failed to reflect heat because the radiant energy passes right through the plastic. A space blanket would have been a more effective lean-to. With a greenhouse approach, the radiant energy hits your body and it heats the trapped air. I actually remembered an episode of Dual Survivors when I was shivering and decided to try a greenhouse approach. Also, I heated a rock which I placed between my legs near my femoral artery. This helped quite a bit for about 30 minutes until the rock cooled. I rotated two rocks; one on me and one near the fire.
Take care!
Love the video, thanks.
thanks a lot for all Survival.
Thanks for this video! Atte: Pedro LEON from Argentina!
I have to pick up some of these bags this week, Im doing a major throwaway of stuff in my apartment and well keep a few to use in my bug out bag too. Thanks or the vid.
Great stuff. Love the videos and all the information. Keep it coming!
I say this in a good way. This dude kicks ass
THX Sootch!!
Vital info !!
great video as usual.. thumbs up to your channel.. however on the tarp idea. in an effort to keep it waterproof for later use, I'd go with the old rock button trick to tie out the corner instead of cutting holes.. again great video.. I don't leave home with out a few in my jeep/gear..
I really like your closing statement. Good work buba
Enjoy your videos, very informative!
I love your bloopers at the end lol.
lol bloopers was funny and great to see someone who can laugh at themselves, shows character.
Nice vid Sootch. Something I consistently see missing from BOBs is use of ziplocks to keep water-sensitive gear dry. At a minimum, ammo, electronics and paper (maps, TP, etc) should all be in waterproof bags. Dry bags are great but ziplocks suffice. And those ziplocks have further uses as water containers, oversocks and overmittens.
I have used Baggies since the 1960's to keep camera gear dry.
Very instructive. Love the bloopers.
Nice video! Interesting information that actually works - I know this works bc I have used these bags when camping.
You mentioned using the bags outside of your rucksac what about using them as a liner inside as i was told in my scouting days. Also as a form of twine or cordage.
I have a few trash compactor bags in my kit. They are twice as thick, and way more rugged. You never know what you'll need and for a minimal weight tarriff a couple of these definitely give you a lot more vesatility.
We do not cut the corners because that renders them useless for other applications but rather we place a small pebble in the corner and wrap them with cordage
to fabricate a Pancho we do NOT cut the seam at the bottom of the bag but rather we cut the bottom side of the bag so that the bottom seam of the bag will still protect the top of our heads
In this way you can hunker down and use it as a bivy sack with your back to the driving rain
In order to use rainwater collection you can get twice the amount of rainwater collected by placing Pebbles at Each corner of the bag using small pieces of cordage to wrap around the Pebbles and wrap around the steaks so you can use the entire side of the bag rather than opening the bag and having a much smaller collection container
We also place a large contractor size bag in our backpack before we insert any other items in order to help keep water out of our gear if we have a river crossing
The greatest multiple-purpose survival tool you can get today is the Remington R51. When it stops working, you can use it as a hammer, a paperweight, clubbing tool, etc.
With those 5.11 bags the holes would only have to be minimal because of the buckles on them, just 2 slits at the top and 2 at the bottom. Not much exposure at all! Great video! Thanks!
Your videos are great.
I always enjoy your videos, keep it up
Nice reminder video.... 😉
Nice bag of tricks!
You do a great job. Thank You.
one could argue that a home that looks unoccupied could be a target
At 7:00, if you DON'T poke your bags and just use tape you'll be better off. They will be usable for more tasks.
Great video. I keep these in every bag. I put mine in my GO bags folded at the bottom to keep my other junk from getting wet.
the best.. bbbfd...the best ..vsfbvbfv loved it !!! please dont you ever quit on posting bloopers :) Take care sir!
Subscribed! Useful tips and tricks.
The trash bag only works when it is NOT raining. You just get wet slower than faster. Just get a lighweight US Army poncho and crunch it down in your pack. Its just works far better, easier to wear and goes over your pack to keep everything dry. Contractor bags get shredded walking through the woods, are loud, and water will come down your back. Tying on off in the wind with para cord only rips out.
I'd strengthen the cuts with duct tape.
Your are right duct tape would work very well. I found tarps at Harbor Freight that were 5x7 and FREE with a any purchase. Sale coming up over memorial day. Good hunting
uscgalpha91 Not everyone has access to complicated supplies but garbage bags can be found at a dollar store
@@nathanaeldardano4069 um.... A poncho is anything but complicated
@@adamfleck956 Thank you Adam.
add zip ties to the trash bags along with finger size branches make a lean 2 very nicely along with a space blanket
98.6 degrees is life
water safe to drink 3 says
food 40 days
power of 3 every thing
1 is none 2 is one get the idea.
like your videos
thank you expanding those that have 👂 to hear & eyes to see.
blessings
Great thought provoking video!!!
sootch. your videos. r great. I have watched a ton of them. learned alot. thanks . keep them coming. thanks dbl g
“You can retain those pricks” lmao 😂 great laughs at the end...priceless, Sootch!
Of all the survival vlogs, yours are the only ones I listen to, what shall I call you?
Sootch I think these videos are great, keep'm coming
Thank u fer the post.
Right on! Thank u fer the common sense apps.
Another good tip is to put like a pebble in the corner and bunch the corner around the pebble and tie your para chord around the pebble surrounded by the bag. That way the bag is less prone to tearing.
I like this kinda video :)
Good work
There are many more uses it can be the bottom layer of a solar still. Can line a bucket for an indoor toilet. Put food in the bag and run it up a tree to keep animals out. Just think your way thru a problem.
For gathering water in a cup in wilderness:
Dig a hole
Put cup in center of hole
Stretch plastic above hole
Put a pebble in the middle of plastic so that it creates inverted cone from the plastic
The humidity from the soil will gather as dew on the inside of plastic and the cone shape will cause it to trickle down into the cup (which is under the point) in the morning when the cold air outside will cause the dew to distill and liquify. You got water in the morning :D
One improvement I would suggest. I got this from Ron Hood. To tie plastic with paracord to trees for shelter, do not cut a hole in it. The wind will tear that out very quickly. Use a small pebble or rounded stick to back it up and make a toggle without cutting the bag to tie the paracord to to opposite side with a cinch loop.
always interesting videos - I really enjoy your out takes LOL
if you don't have paracord you can cut one or part of the trash bags into strips for rope
Thanks Sootch! I like these videos a lot.
i just love sootch ,videos, they are always well prepare and well done, 2 thumbs up
I didn't know if you knew this but I used to work for a Cleaning Co. for many years and almost all of trash bags are treated with certain chemicals and different things but in a survival type atmosphere I would still use for water if I had to and if was for long period of time I would Boil the water before drinking it I only know this about the bags because I used to use and change hundreds of trash bags a day for several years
great tips
Sootch, you should do a video of how to make shelter
Love your videos
The black bags work good for night camo, white ones work well for winter camo. Green or brown ones make decent camo for appropriate environs. Other colors (pink, blue, orange, yellow, purple, red,...) are good for attracting attention.
95 gallon bags (61" x 68") are better at covering your entire body. They are usually thinner and less durable, but are light enough to carry extras. They make better bivy sacs as long as you can be sure the underside is safe from punctures. They also make good improv rain gear, covering you to your feet with a pack. And the pinched bottom ones work better to provid a hood by cutting a hole a little smaller than your face, slightly down from the "pinched" bottom and squeezing your face through so it is snug.
You can also gather fire wood and tinder before a storm and keep it dry in a garbage bag.
And don't forget those little plastic shopping bags, I always carry a few of them,They pack down to almost nothing and can be vey handy. I have a few I picked up in Puerto Rico at an Amigo supermarket (they don't hand out shopping bags, you have to B.Y.O or buy one of these) that are like 4 mils and really tough.
I love this series
A perfect way to store gear for a water crossing.... including the boots and clothes that you're wearing so you can put dry clothes back on after you cross.
I use commercial clear 1100lt 300 Gauge wheelie bin bags Length: 1960mm Width: 2100mm Depth: 1360mm, at work they make ideal bivvy bags one possible draw back is they are clear, the black ones cost 5% more. Another possible option is Polythene Layflat Tubing from a builders supply merchant, very heavy duty and you can cut to custom length.
Some excellent ideas 👍
Very nice video!
Related to this might be hay tarps. For example, it is possible to customize this material by melting two pieces together to form a "seam". Hypothetically, you could cut out the pattern pieces for anything you want to create, such as a poncho, a tarp, a bivvy sack, a dry bag, etc, and then connect all the pieces together with a heat gun. This is done by heating about a foot of the overlapped "seam" with the heat gun, then rolling the seam with a roller, and doing the same all along the seam until complete.
I was just looking for good bags today, at regular supermarkets. I already have some of these heavy duty grey/black bags you have there. But I was searching for some in a bright color like orange, to also use as a signal device, and didn't find any. I'll have to look at the hardware place. Obviously if there's danger from human agents, I'm not going to use the bright bags, so I'll pack one or two of each.
Thanks for the stakes/water reservoir idea, hadn't seen that before. I always just thought of a hole in the ground or some sort of rock support.
black bags can be used to heat water in the sunlight... improvise a hose from a corner and you have a camp shower
Fine looking knife and sheaf sir. ✌️
For the rain shelter, make sure it's sloped so the rain doesn't collect in the middle and rudely wake you up at 3 in the morning.
Brilliant! Thanks.
Line the bucket portion of your pack with the bag before filling it. Fold and layer (don't wad) the excess over the top. Could also be used on your sleep system and pad.
I've seen someone with time on their hands make rain pants out of them.
Would you tung oil and bees wax your bag as a layer of protection? Saddle soap? Spray on waterproofing?
Like it! A lot of new ideas 10x
These tips really work
Great job
excelente idea amigo gracias me fue útil saludos y abrazos mi buen.
Great advice!
Great vid Sootch!
Great info Don!!
SensiblePrepper, this is excellent! Something similar to what my dad taught us. Thanks for posting this as I had forget!
Btw - Love the outtakes! :D