Over the past few weeks, we’ve talked a lot about how to recycle food grade packaging and common household items, but what do you do when a packaging material is not recyclable?
The answer to this question is simple – repurpose! We’re all aware as to how to reuse, reduce and recycle, but for the purpose of this post, we want to show you how you can repurpose, re-pack and pass on all your packaging materials!
So, the next time you’re about to throw your packaging away, take a moment to consider all of its redeemable qualities! Feeling uninspired? Check out some of our favourite ideas below!
Tissue and Gift Paper Wrap
Reusing tissue paper and gift paper wrap for their original purpose is one of the simplest ways to extend their lives! When possible, try to keep aside the paper you receive and reuse to wrap gifts!
When it comes to tissue paper, you can be very creative and mix and match different colours when you need to pack gifts.
Moreover, you can also do a lot of crafts such as creating tissue paper flowers. Tissue paper flowers are very easy to make and can be used in various ways. Arrange them as decorative centrepieces or hang them in your house! To learn how to make this craft, click here!
Rigid Boxes
Rigid boxes are not recyclable because of its materials and finishings.
However, rigid boxes are very sturdy and reusable. As a result, they make really good storage or gift boxes!
Not only are they spacious, but because of their elegant designs, we often find reusing these boxes so much cheaper than purchasing storage boxes from Marshall’s or IKEA!
Corrugated Mailer Boxes
Mailer boxes are not only cost-effective, but are also 100% recyclable. Nonetheless, why not try to extend their useful life when you can?
When possible, if a mailer box is not damaged during transit, try your best to reuse them before throwing them away! Just be sure to remove any previous labels from before to ensure there’s no confusion during shipping!
Another way to upcycle mailer boxes is to use them for storage or moving purposes.
If you have kids, get creative and go back in time with a DIY corrugated box time machine! We guarantee your kids will love this!
For details on how to make a cardboard time machine, be sure to check out PBS!
Packing Peanuts and Bubble Wrap
Packing peanuts are not recyclable, but are so easy to repurpose! You can use foam packing peanuts to insulate the walls of your garage or dog house. Who knew?!
Likewise, you can simply reuse packing peanuts and bubble wrap with to protect fragile items for outbound shipping.
Many shipping companies accept these materials as well so they can reuse them in their own business!
Bread Tags
On so many occasions, we find ourselves throwing away bread tags into the garbage (guilty as charged!), but they can be very handy to have around!
Give your nails a break and consider using bread tags to scrape dried bits from dishes, sinks, oven doors, sneakers, walls and other surfaces.
Plus they’re super easy to store! All you need to do is designate a space in your kitchen and store your bread tags in an empty butter tub.
Onion Sacks
Onion sacks, and all produce mesh bags, can be difficult to recycle. Here’s two ways you can repurpose them:
Firstly, you can take a wad of mesh, roll it up and use the netting to scrub dirty dishes and furniture.
Another way you can repurpose, according to Earth 911 and the National Audobon Society, is to create a “Home Depot” for backyard birds that forage for nesting materials. Here’s how:
- Load the net sacks with suitable natural items like twigs, stems and pine needles.
- If you’d like, layer in little balls of mud, dried grasses and pet hair.
- Pull some of the plant bits through the openings or poke them in from the outside so they’re easier for birds to pluck.
- Tie the bag to a tree branch and reward yourself with a front-row seat to a live show as birds browse the selection.
Egg Cartons
Egg cartons are very versatile when it comes to upcycling packaging materials!
Since the cartons already come with dividers, you can easily organize items such as screws, bolts, coins, and jewellery. As a matter of fact, you can even store your golf balls in egg cartons!
Another popular way to repurpose egg cartons is to use them as plant containers! This is a very easy DIY project and includes the following steps:
- Poke a few holes in the bottom to allow for drainage
- Fill the carton 3/4 of the way with potting soil
- Plant your seeds and set near a sunny window
In just a matter of days, you’ll see how quickly your new plants will grow! For more creative crafts, be sure to check out The Spruce Crafts!
Aluminum Takeout Bowls
Aluminum takeout bowls, such as the ones Chipotle and many fast food restaurants use, are very lightweight and easy to repurpose. Simply rinse out the container and you can use it as pet friendly travel bowls for water or their favourite treats!
Wine Corks
Wine corks are not recyclable but can be repurposed to be pet-friendly, especially with cats! Load a bowl with clean corks and a bit of a kibble as a fun foraging activity, and you’ll notice that it’s a lot like bobbing for apples!
Glass Bottles
Reuse glass bottles such as milk and pasta jars and save on having to purchase new storage containers for your pantry!
Likewise, consider decorating bottles to give away as gifts, to arrange flowers, use as centre pieces or store pencils! Here’s a quick tutorial on how transform glass jars into colourful pieces!
Paper Bags
Last but not least, paper bags are very versatile! From reusing them as lunch bags, to using them as materials for crafts or placemats, paper bags can be repurposed for all ages!
In some cases, companies actually customize the interior of the bags with die-lines to encourage their customers to use them as colouring books afterwards! (If you’d like to do the same or would like more information, be sure to contact us today for custom interior print).
For further inspiration and easy tutorials, be sure to check this article here and Pinterest!
