South Crosby Milk Bag Collection Program
Beginning last year, the South Crosby staff, students and community began to collect milk bags and sent
them to Haiti. This year, the milk bags which are then turned into mats are going to other places around
the world - Haiti, Ethiopia and various other countries.
Why Milk Bags?
The reason milk bags have been used and not grocery bags etc. is because grocery bags are often made
of recycled materials and therefore breakdown more quickly when exposed to sunlight and the elements.
Milk bags last longer and make thicker mats. The mats are beneficial because they are easily cleaned
(rinsed or shaken out), they're portable, they are used as packing materials around medical supplies etc.
Bugs become less of a problem, because unlike mattresses they do not make their homes and breed.
Some places have used them in their medical units for surgeries etc. because they are easy to clean. In
some places, mothers sleep sitting upright because to put their child down to sleep means that they may
drown in the mud. Milk bag mats provide a safe sleeping area.
It takes about 250 milk bags to make a child sized mat and approx 500 to make an adult sized mat.
The milk bags are cut into 2 inch strips and are them looped together and crocheted into mats.
Why Give Back?
Our students have really been excited about this program because it's an easy way for them to help
make a difference to someone else. We buy the milk anyway and cannot recycle the bags (depending on
where we live). The bags are helpful to others in need and it keeps them out of our landfill.
We are also collecting soaps etc. to send with the mats. So PLEASE save your old milk bags and send
them in with your child(ren) as often as you would like! We WILL make a difference!!!!!!!