Beebe volunteers and students at the Sussex Consortium have found a new use for plastic grocery bags.

For several months, consortium students have been cutting up plastic grocery bags and turning the long strips into balls of plarn – plastic yarn.

"It's part of up-cycling – taking something old and making it new," said consortium teacher Trish Burkett.

Staff and students have donated plastic grocery bags, which are separated by color, cut and rolled into plarn, she said. Students work on the plarn balls during vocational training sessions.

"Being involved in this process allows students at the Sussex Consortium an opportunity to gain essential vocational skills, which can transfer to future employment opportunities in the community," Burkett said.

Using balls of plarn, Beebe auxiliary members crochet bags that are sold in the hospital's gift shop.

"It takes about 50 grocery bags to make a Bag 'o bags," said Lee Halloran, manager of volunteer services at Beebe Medical Center.

The bags are the size of a medium purse and can be used for a variety of things, she said. They are particularly handy at the beach.

"They're cool for the beach because you can throw your flip flops, towel and bathing suit in it and it dries quickly if it gets wet," Halloran said.

The bags cost $15 and come in a variety of colors with trim around the edges. Halloran said the ladies auxiliary is making them as quickly as possible; it takes about five hours to finish a crocheted bag.

Anyone interested in a bag can visit the hospital gift shop or call 302-645-3300.

Jaquan Watson creates a ball of plarn. (Source: Submitted)

Bag 'o Bags are on sale in the Beebe Medical Center's gift shop. (Source: Submitted)