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"  In its latest environmentally friendly legislative move, California is planning on banning single-use plastic bags from its grocery stores. If shoppers happen to forget a bag or stubbornly refuse to purchase reusable grocery sacks, they will have the option to buy a single-use paper bag for five cents or more. Drugstores, convenience stores and mom-and-pop shops will be forced to follow suit in 2013. Stores must keep records of the program, educate consumers and sell reusable bags\u2014those made for 100 uses or more\u2014on-site. After weighing its options, the California Grocers Association now supports the law, and Schwarzenegger is expected to sign off on it. The five-cent &amp;quot;penalty&amp;quot; for each bag is obligatory, but if grocers choose to do so, they may charge more. Want one last hurrah with your plastic before it&amp;#039;s gone forever? Here are 10 DIY projects that can make the most of your remaining plastic bags. Wallet Duct-tape wallets are pass\u00E9. Instead, make one with plastic bags, fusing the seams with an iron.  \u2022 DIY plastic bag wallet \u2022 Another version Yarn It costs more to knit a scarf nowadays than it does to buy one from the store. To get around the high cost of wool, try cutting the bags into yarn (or &amp;quot;plarn&amp;quot;), which can be used to crochet or knit all sorts of stuff, or even to make a belt in a pinch.  \u2022 How to make plarn Leash If you&amp;#039;re a pet owner and still have bags to spare after scooping poop, try making a fetch toy for your cat or a braided leash for the dog\u2014just not a big dog, unless you&amp;#039;re looking to lose it. \u2022 DIY cat toy \u2022 Braid a dog leash Backpack Simplicity is not a crime. For the craft-challenged, just hook your arms into the loops and make yourself a short-lived but fully functional backpack. Only a mild fashion infraction.  \u2022 Emergency backpack Zipper Bag To go the extra mile and recycle the stuff inside your grocery bags, clean out the wrapper after your next bag of chips and add a zipper and some lining to make an interesting and aromatic pencil case or coin purse.  \u2022 Make a pita chip bag \u2022 Or potato chips, if you prefer Lamp You&amp;#039;ll glow with pride after you use plastic bags to make your very own recycled lamp. Grab some wood for the frame and a cool LED bulb to make sure your new light source doesn&amp;#039;t go up in flames.  \u2022 How to make the lamp Chair If you&amp;#039;re up for a real challenge, try copying this chair, built with a core structure of aluminum and layered with plastic. \u2022 Check out this chair! Hard Plastic Form the plastic into a hard, durable version of a preferred shape by following this technique: Melt with polyethylene, squash into a mold, then cool. \u2022 Start melting plastic Animal Shapes House lacking the charm only brought by animal sculptures? Fill a plastic bag with tons of other squashed-up bags, and mold the outside using wire. Papier-m\u00E2ch\u00E9 and paint.  \u2022 DIY bird More ... Once you&amp;#039;ve mastered the fusing and thickening techniques, the world is your oyster. Try a laptop case, gift wrap, a messenger bag, or even a hoodie. \u2022 How to make a laptop case \u2022 Recycled gift wrap \u2022 DIY messenger bag \u2022 Start fusing your sweatshirt "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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