Sofia Martinez
The plastic bread clip, invented by Floyd G. Paxton in the 1950s, is a small but mighty tool with a variety of uses beyond keeping bread bags sealed. Its compact size and durable design make it a handy item to keep around, especially when travelling or in need of a quick fix. From fixing broken zippers and flip-flops to organizing cables and labelling plants, the bread clip is a versatile item with surprising benefits. While some may view it as insignificant, others have found creative ways to reuse and recycle these clips, even turning them into art or donating them to support those in need. So, before discarding your next bread clip, consider its potential for solving everyday problems or contributing to a worthy cause.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Keeping bread bags sealed to maintain freshness |
| Reuse | Can be used to seal other bags, as clothespins, cable organisers, bookmarks, money clips, etc. |
| Recycling | Can be recycled to make wheelchairs |
| Manufacturing | Made of hard plastic, invented by Floyd G. Paxton, and manufactured by Kwik Lok Corporation |
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$5.95
What You'll Learn
They can be used to fix broken zippers
Plastic bread clips can be used to fix broken zippers in a variety of ways. If the zipper pull has broken off, a paper clip or key ring can be used as a temporary replacement. A plastic bread clip can serve the same purpose. Simply slide the bread clip through the tab on the slider and you have a temporary zipper pull.
In addition, plastic bread clips can be used to label zippers. For example, if you have multiple zippers on a bag and want to distinguish between them, you can wrap a bread clip around each zipper and label them with a marker.
If the teeth of a zipper are bent or broken, you can use pliers to straighten them back into place. If the teeth are permanently damaged, you may need to replace the zipper. However, a plastic bread clip can be used to temporarily fix a broken zipper by clipping the bag together, similar to using a safety pin.
While plastic bread clips can be useful in fixing broken zippers, they are not a long-term solution and may not be suitable for all types of zippers.
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They can be used as a money clip
Plastic bread clips are usually used to seal bread bags to keep the loaves fresh. However, they can be reused in a variety of ways, including as a money clip.
Firstly, bread clips can be used to keep your cash together. Wrap your bank notes around the bread clip to keep them together, preventing them from getting crumpled or lost among other items in your wallet or purse. This method is perfect for those who value efficiency and order in their everyday carry. By keeping your cash neatly contained, a bread clip ensures your wallet stays organised and ready for easy access.
Secondly, a bread clip can be used as a temporary wallet. Wrap a few bank notes around the clip to create a compact and discreet money holder. This is especially useful for activities where carrying a bulky wallet is impractical, such as when going for a run or a quick trip to the shops. The bread clip ensures your cash is close to you, easily visible, and less likely to be misplaced or forgotten.
Thirdly, a bread clip can be used to organise your cash. For example, if you are travelling and using multiple currencies, you can use a different coloured bread clip for each currency to keep them separate.
Finally, a bread clip can be used as a money-saving tool. For example, you could use a bread clip to mark a specific note in a savings jar, or to clip together a set amount of money that you are saving for a specific purpose.
So, while a bread clip may seem like a mundane object, it can be a surprisingly versatile tool that offers practical solutions for everyday challenges.
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They can be used to label cables
You might be surprised to learn that those small plastic bread clips can be extremely useful for organizing and labeling your cables. Here's how:
Identify Cable Types: Bread clips are perfect for distinguishing between similar-looking cables. For example, you can assign a specific color of bread clip to HDMI cables, another color for power cords, and yet another for USB charging cables. This makes it easy to identify and retrieve the correct cable without needing to follow the cord to its source or plug it in to test it.
Mark Cable Ends: Bread clips can be attached near the ends of cables to mark which device they belong to. For instance, if you have multiple similar-looking USB cables, you can attach a bread clip to the end of each one and label them accordingly: "Phone charger," "Power bank," "Kindle charger," etc. This way, you'll always know which cable goes with which device, reducing the risk of mixing them up and accidentally plugging the wrong one into a device.
Color-Coding: As mentioned earlier, bread clips come in various colors, and this can be extremely useful for color-coding your cables. Assign specific colors to different types of cables or even different lengths. For example, red for short cables, blue for medium-length, and green for long ones. Alternatively, use colors to differentiate between cables for different devices or purposes.
Labeling Server Rooms: In a server room or data center, bread clips can be used to label network cables. Clips can be attached near the ends of cables plugged into the patch panel, with corresponding clips on the cables at the switch end. This makes it easy to trace cables from the patch panel to the switch, helping to quickly identify and rectify any issues.
Additionally, bread clips are useful for indicating which cables are safe to unplug. For example, if you need to unplug a specific cable but are unsure which one it is, you can attach a bread clip to the relevant cable, making it easily identifiable and reducing the risk of accidentally unplugging the wrong one.
So, before you toss those plastic bread clips into the recycling bin, consider how they might help you finally get your cable management under control. They're small, colorful, and perfectly sized for labeling and organizing your cords.
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They can be used as a guitar pick
Plastic bread clips have a variety of unexpected uses, one of which is as a guitar pick. For any guitarist, a bread clip can be a handy substitute for a traditional plectrum. The first advantage is their availability and disposability. Bread clips are common household items, and it is easy to grab one in a pinch if you've misplaced your regular pick. They are also small and convenient to carry around, so you can always have one with you as a backup. The plastic material of bread clips also has benefits for guitar playing. The smooth surface of the plastic clip allows for a gliding action across guitar strings, creating a unique, bright, and crisp tone. This tone is distinct from the warmer sounds produced by traditional picks and can add an interesting dynamic to your playing. Bread clips are also very flexible, which gives the player a great deal of control over their strumming or picking. This flexibility can be especially useful for beginners, as it can help develop a lighter touch and improve finger dexterity. While bread clips may not be as durable as regular picks, they can be a fun and interesting alternative. They are certainly versatile, and with a bit of experimentation, you may find they offer a unique playing experience. So, the next time you're in a bind or just curious, give a bread clip a try!
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They can be recycled to help people buy wheelchairs
Plastic bread clips are those tiny square plastic clips used to seal bags of bread, bagels, and produce. They were invented in the 1950s to address the need to close plastic bags efficiently during the packaging process. While they are useful for keeping food fresh, they contribute to the planet's growing plastic waste problem. These clips are too small to be sorted by recycling equipment and are made of polystyrene, which is non-recyclable in many places.
However, some organizations have found a way to recycle these clips and, in doing so, help people in need of wheelchairs. Danielle Cares for Chairs, a non-profit in Indiana, collects and recycles plastic bread tags to fund wheelchairs for those who cannot afford them. Similarly, Aussie Bread Tags for Wheelchairs collects the clips, sells them to recyclers, and uses the proceeds to provide wheelchairs to disadvantaged individuals, primarily in South Africa. It takes about 200kg or 200,000 to 260,000 bread tags to fund a basic wheelchair, so every tag counts!
You can support these initiatives by collecting bread tags and dropping them off at designated locations or mailing them to the organizations. They can be collected from anywhere bread and rolls are consumed, such as homes, workplaces, schools, cafes, hospitals, and community centers. It is important to ensure that the tags are clean before dropping them off or posting them.
By participating in these recycling programs, you can help keep non-recyclable plastic out of landfills and support a good cause. Not only does this reduce plastic waste, but it also transforms it into something beneficial for the community, providing mobility and independence to those in need.
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