Creative Ways to Recycle for the Holidays

Recycling is not only great for the environment, it can save you money. Many Americans are facing difficult economic times, and using recycled materials from around your house can be one way to tighten your budget. Today, we’re going to focus on ways to recycle creatively, including methods that people have used, along with helpful videos, and links to other blogs.

It’s easy to forget that our garbage has to go somewhere, and admittedly, most of us don’t realize how much waste goes into our landfills each year. According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s website, 54.2 percent of what we throw away ends up in a landfill. The fact that over 50% of what we throw away ends up being completely wasted should be cause for alarm. So, what can we do to recycle materials that may end up in the trash?

Here are just a few tips we found useful. You can find many more great ideas online. So, remember to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle this holiday season with these creative tips gathered from the web.[divider]

Modern Martha’s Magazine Box

With the holidays in full swing, many of us are double checking our Christmas lists, and shopping for the best gifts, hopefully at the best prices. One thing we hope you’ll cross off your list of items to buy is wrapping paper. Stanford University shares its advice for decreasing your holiday waste this season, while also reporting that 25% more waste is accumulated during the holiday months than the rest of the year, a whopping 25 million tons to be exact! This year, choose to reuse, and gather paper items from your house. Not only will you clean up the clutter, you’ll be reducing your holiday waste.

So, why not forego wrapping paper altogether, and use magazines or newspapers around your house to make gift boxes? This helpful video will get you started with some basic craft supplies you can buy at any craft store.

Make Your Own Ornaments Using Recycled Materials

It’s time to get back to basics. I’m talking pre-school or kindergarten basics. Using recycled materials is a great way to teach the young people in your life to reduce waste. Do you remember making decorations out of popcorn? Chain links out of construction paper? Well, if it was good enough to impress your parents when you were a kid, it’s good enough to pass on to your own children when you grow up. There are tons of great ornament ideas out there on the web. A quick search will point out creative ways to use materials from around the house.

At Craftynest’s website, they featured a blog on how to make these beautiful sheet music ornaments. Try substituting other paper items for this project to reuse items around your house this year. Don’t forget to make it a family activity to increase your holiday joy and cheer.

[Image Credit Craftynest.com ]

Make Your Own Recyclable Bags

Aside from my work here at Pencils.com, I work in a grocery store, which means I have met a lot of people over the years. Many of them are creative people as well, and many of them enjoy making crafts. In fact, one of my customers who is eco-minded brought in some bags one day made from dog food bags. She told me how she decided to reuse them, making many of them in her spare time for her friends and family, and the good news is that the process is easy.

I’ve seen a lot of grocery bags in my time as a grocery clerk, and although some of them get recycled, many of them get wasted. Luckily, the folks over at Instructables.com have prepared a tutorial that will guide you through the step-by-step process of how to create your own recycled bags. Not only can you use these handy bags to hold gifts during the holidays, but you can encourage the people you give them to to use them for their groceries after the holidays. So, instead of making these recyclable bags a one use item, you can continue to use them throughout the year. You can even pass them along at other gift giving events.

[Image Credit Instructables.com]

Making a Wreath Can Be a Novel Idea

The staff here at Pencils.com are all avid book lovers, and while we’re usually opposed to the mutilation of books, we’ll let this one slide. This wreath made from an old book would make a great gift for the bookworm in your life. It’s also a great way to reuse books you no longer read, or that have become worn out from age. In case you’re wondering, the book in the video is, “The Problem of Pain,” by C.S. Lewis. Thanks to the MadeByMarzipan YouTube Channel for this instructional video. Also, check out the Made By Marzipan website for more DIY projects.

[Disclaimer] No fictional characters were harmed in the filming of this video.[divider]

The staff here at Pencils.com have made a commitment to Green Living, and we encourage you to join us this holiday season. Read more about Why We’re Green, and the story behind our environmentally responsible pencil products made from recycled materials. There are many more great ideas on the web that will help you to utilize recycled materials throughout the year.

What do you think Studio 602ers? Share your ways to recycle in the comments section below!