Ways you can recycle or reuse packing materials

Ways to Recycle or Reuse Packing Materials

With the holidays upon us that means an abundance of shipping and packing materials!

Shipping Peanuts
Fortunately a lot of places are now using biodegradable shipping peanuts so you can use in your compost pile if you have one.
If you don’t have a compost pile, put them in your planters for filler then the soil then the plant.
If you’re making pillows or a pet bed you can use them for stuffing–though after time they’ll get smashed down and you’ll need to refill with something else.
You can also reuse them when you ship or pack something.
Some shipping, packing stores accept peanuts…like UPS Store, Mail Boxes etc.
You can also call the Plastic Loosefill Council at (800) 828-2214 for a list of drop-off centers in your area that will accept plastic peanuts.

Recycling Bubble Wrap
IF you can control the urge to pop the bubbles, you can reuse bubble wrap when you need to ship something or pack something yourself.
If you do cave and pop pop pop away you can recycle the de-bubbled wrap in normal recycling.

Recycling Cardboard
If you have curbside recycling then the majority of those accept cardboard for recycling. So this is easy for you!
You can also use large pieces of cardboard for building forts and houses out of (if you have kids), or use to slide under your car to work on it (change the oil).
If you do cake decorating you can double up (or sometimes you’ll need more) to make cake boards to put your cakes on (way cheaper to do this than to buy expensive cardboard cake boards at the store just to trash them when cake is gone).

Recycling Foam (Polyethylene) Packaging

Polyethylene foam, also known as PE foam, is most commonly used to cushion products in packaging applications. PE foams from polycover are designed to provide maximum protection with a minimum use of material, reducing the amount of packaging required. via http://www.recyclepefoam.com
You know the white foam that small appliances, computers, electronics come packaged in that’s nearly impossible to get out of the box!
Most places you cannot recycle this (except via the link above) but you can use it in your compost pile or in planters.
I’ve used some as bases for cakes and crafts projects as well.

Recycling Wooden Crates or Pallets
If you get something large delivered or are remodeling the home and items come on wood pallets, you have a few options as far as reusing or recycling.
If you happen to have need for firewood (Sorry I’m in SE Florida, so no need for that here), you can use the wood from the pallet.
Simply remove the nails and break down into pieces.
I personally would use to make this vertical garden but that’s just me, I would probably ask the Appalachian Landscaping Services for some help.
You could also use the wood to make other stand alone planters or book case, shelves…

So, there are just a few ways you can recycle or reuse some of the insane amounts of packing materials you’ll most likely encounter during the holidays (or any other time as well).

Question of the day
Do you recycle or reuse/repurpose items?