Creative Ways to Reuse Boxes and Other Recyclables
Old Boxes for Composting in the Garden
Cardboard is a great tool to prep dirt for a garden. Damp boxes covered in mulch will attract earthworms and other microbes that will help them decompose. This results in nutrient-rich compost, creating a healthy environment for plants to grow.
Cardboard Cat or Dog Bed
A sturdy box makes a perfect bed for small- to medium-sized cats or dogs. Depending on the shape and size of the box, one can create an enclosed or an open bed for their furry companion. Get creative by decorating the box's exterior with fabric, or draw a cute design with markers. The addition of a soft pillow completes the project and provides a soft place for pets to snuggle down.
Cardboard Cat Toys
Cats love cardboard boxes. Although cats can often find hours of enjoyment in a simple box, pet owners can get creative and turn it into a toy, too. Some ideas include creating a dig box by adding fluffy balls or some other pet-safe material that will fulfill a cat's natural instincts to dig. Boxes may also be turned into cat houses or castles.
Drawer Organizer Dividers
An unorganized drawer makes it difficult to find the things that one needs. Cardboard boxes are an easy way to solve the problem of cluttered drawers at very little cost. Depending on the size of the drawers, one can cut multiple bowls of cereal or food boxes down to create different sections in a drawer. Another option is to cut a larger box to create partitions that are a particular size and pattern.
Cat Scratcher
Cats love to scratch. Unfortunately, they often turn to furniture or other items that are easily damaged by their claws. Corrugated cardboard is a simple solution, as the texture often appeals to the feline need to scratch.
Cardboard Shelves
A lack of shelving often means a trip to the nearest big-box retailer or furniture store. However, a few simple cardboard boxes can be transformed into a single-wall shelf or a bookshelf. With the help of decorative paper, people can give their new shelving a look that they want to complement their living space.
Storage
Extra storage is a welcome addition to almost any home. Create this additional space with the help of cardboard boxes, attractive fabric, and spray adhesive. The addition of a belt makes it easily portable from room to room.
Weed Barrier
Weeds are a problem that every gardener has to tackle at some point. Flattened cardboard boxes serve as an inexpensive barrier that will keep weeds in their place. Because dirt covers the cardboard, it won't detract from the look of the garden. To plant, one only needs to create a hole in the cardboard.
Napkin Rings
Napkin rings are a simple way to dress up a table. Cardboard can be turned into attractive napkin rings with minimal effort. Fabric, fabric glue or tape, and scissors are often all that's necessary to create napkin rings for the holidays or everyday use.
Planter
Transforming a box into a natural planter for household plants is a fun project the entire family can enjoy. While one can get creative with its appearance, it's important to line the box with plastic and create holes at the bottom for drainage.
Bird Feeder
Bird feeders are one of the top ways to use empty boxes. A very simple way to do that is by cutting fun shapes out of cereal boxes, adding peanut butter coating, and rolling them in birdseed. Tie your new feeders to a tree and watch the birds dig in!
Magazine Holder
Cereal boxes are the ideal size for holding magazines. The box needs to be cut to the appropriate size and shape to create a clutter-saving magazine file. Adding fabric or decorative paper helps to create the desired look.
Gift Tags
Gift tags are necessary when giving presents on holidays, birthdays, or special occasions. Instead of spending money to buy premade tags, people can create their own free using empty boxes. Tags aren't just for gift-giving; they are also a great way to label bottles and other items.
Coasters
Turn beer or even soda boxes into fun coasters. When cutting out the shape of the coaster, try to cut in areas that show a part of the logo or the drink's name.
Garland
When celebrating a holiday like Valentine's Day, hanging garland is one of the simplest ways to decorate. With the help of cardboard, one doesn't need to purchase holiday-specific garlands. To create a garland, one only needs a template for the shape, string, and decorative paper to cover the cardboard.
Motor Skills Toy
Toddlers need to engage in activities that help them hone their fine motor skills. A cardboard box can be turned into a toy or activity, like a fine motor drop box, that can help accomplish that. Besides a cardboard box, such as a shoe box, one will need wooden blocks, foam shapes, dominoes, and craft sticks when creating this drop box.
Picture Frame Mat
Creating an attractive picture mat using a thin piece of cardboard is more unique and interesting than basic mats in stores. In creating a mat, one's choice of fabric can customize the look to complement the details in the photo.
Wall Decor
One can transform a simple box into wall decor in many ways. One of the most creative and stunning ways is to turn boxes into decorative mirrors. Strips of cardboard, beads, and other embellishments can turn a plain round mirror into an attention-grabbing piece of art.
Gift Boxes
Used boxes are a fantastic alternative to buying boxes for gifts. Repurpose empty food boxes into gift-giving boxes with a few alterations. To create a gift box, one only needs scissors, a ruler, and tape.
Paint Palette
An artist palette is a simple and useful way to reuse cardboard. To create the palette, one only needs a template and a cutter or scissors to cut out the shape and the thumb hole.
Miscellaneous Recyclable Arts and Crafts
- Recycled Crafts: People who click on this link will find many recycled craft ideas and instructions that are suitable for adults and kids.
- Recycled Holiday Crafts: This document on watching one's waste during the holiday season includes several recycled crafts using paper, metal, plastic, and glass.
- The Prettiest New Use for an Old Bottle: Open this link to the Redbook website for instructions for how to turn glass bottles into pretty vases.
- How to Make a Bird Feeder From a 2-Liter Plastic Bottle: Kids and adults can learn how to turn a plastic soda bottle into a feeder for birds.
- DIY Tin Can Planter: By clicking on this link, one can learn how to upcycle an empty tin can into a planter.
- Upcycling With Plastic Yarn: People with extra plastic bags, like those used for groceries, can visit this page and learn how to turn them into plastic yarn.
- Make a Sustainable Grocery Tote: Turn plastic yarn into a reusable grocery tote by following the instructions provided on this link from the Missouri Botanical Garden.
- Magazine Bowl You Can Make for Free: Anyone with old magazines can visit this page to learn how to turn them into a unique and decorative bowl.
- 11 Ways to Upcycle Shoe Boxes: By clicking on this link, people can learn crafty ways to make empty shoe boxes useful, such as turning them into a recharging station.
- Coffee Can Birdhouse: Coffee drinkers can upcycle an empty coffee can into a birdhouse using the instructions listed on this page.
- DIY CD Picture Frame: CDs may be a thing of the past, but people with old collections can click this link to learn how they are useful in making picture frames.
- Bottle Cap Magnets: Bottle caps are a fun way for teens to get creative, and this Ypsilanti District Library page provides instructions on how to turn them into magnets.
- Repurpose an Old Colander Into a Garden Planter: Whether it's an old colander lying around the house or a yard sale find, this Herald and News page explains how to turn one into a planter for succulents.
- Recycled Egg Carton Herb Garden: When starting an herb garden, people can learn how to turn an egg carton into a starter kit by using the instructions on this page.
- Sugar Bowl Candles: Visit the Real Simple website page to learn how to turn old sugar bowls into whimsical candles.