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on August 28, 2010 at 2:00:11 pm

Recycling Milk Bags into Bed Mats for Haiti 2010

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

These washable, quick-dry bed mats provide an alternative to sleeping on the damp, hard ground. Medical teams in Haiti have found them invaluable and the milk bags can also be crocheted into tote bags and other useful items. They are made from the plastic of the colourful outer milk bag which holds the three smaller clear bags inside.

Would you like to learn how to be involved in this recycle project:

Collecting, Cutting, Crocheting or Delivering to Hamilton?

For more information or to book a workshop leader for your group, contact: Admin

Why?

To help the environment by recycling plastic milk bags – give them a practical use while they take many years to decompose.
To help people who are sleeping on the ground or on leaf/reed mats. It protects them from dampness, biting insects and the common ‘paper cuts’ from leaves/reeds. The sleeping mats are easy to wash/dry. There is a desperate need for the homeless in Haiti since the earthquake.
To provide surgical tables and beds for medical teams in makeshift hospitals. There is a desperate need in Haiti since the earthquake.
To provide packing material for the Aid containers which are shipped to 3^rd world countries.
To provide other helpful items like carry bags and teddy bears to 3^rd world countries.

Who?

There is a province-wide network of more than 70 small groups who have been working on this project for about 6 years. The coordinator is Dianne Scott in Dunnville, Ontario. These groups include schools, churches, Scouts & Guides, seniors groups, knitting/crochet clubs etc.

Local groups: Bells Corners United Church (approx 1 year)

Beta Sigma Phi (Laureate Phi Chapter) (approx 3 months)

Katimavik Public School (approx 1 year)

D.A. Moodie Public School (approx 6 months)

Busy Hands (Brockville) (approx 5 years)

How?

Step 1: Collect bag. Make sure it is clean. Lay flat

Step 2: Trim off both ends to make it into a tube with clean edges

Step 3: Cut into one long strip or cut into loops and string them together

Step 4: Roll the plastic strips into a ball like yarn (or save in a bag)

Step 5: Use a size 7 or 8 mm crochet hook. Chain stitch until 36" wide then single crochet until mat measures 60" long. For a child’s mat use 30” x 48”

Note: we have prepared extra boxes of milk bags which have completed steps 1 & 2. we will be happy to give a box to you. Great for new startup groups.

For more information about this province-wide project:

Slideshow of a mat travelling from Ontario to a new home in Haiti http://www.nwhcm.ca/oldsite/Gallery/MatPPT/MatPPT_1.htm

Busy Hands group in Brockville http://www.recorder.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2479301

Video of Sudbury group making mats http://www.sudbury24.ca/media/2791/Creating_sleeping_mats_out_of_milk_bags/

Milk bag mats used for Haiti relief and medical supplies http://www.shorelinebeacon.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2368487&auth=

Video how to cut bags into strips http://wsuc.blogspot.com/2009/02/cutting-milk-bags-for-sleeping-mats.html

Video how to cut and crochet Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iN0VZZXkf-I&feature=related

Video how to cut and crochet Part 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ht5AQLfYr1A&feature=related

Video how to cut and crochet Part 4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUJEsjOw_Pw&feature=related

Video how to avoid knots http://wsuc.blogspot.com/2009/02/how-to-avoid-knots-when-crocheting.html

Milk bag project info with link to Instructions & FAQ http://www.nbbc.ca/index_milkbag.htm

Missionaries taking mats to Haiti http://www.nwhcm.ca/mats4haiti.htm