Gettin’ Boxy
Fact
Cardboard is used to ship 90 percent of all products in the U.S. It’s a sturdy mainstay that’s easily reused and recycled. Non-toxic and biodegradable, recycled cardboard takes 25 percent less energy to manufacture products than the use of virgin materials to make new cardboard.
Get Started
- Recycle your cardboard at home by adding it to your compost pile. Make sure to remove any tape or staples before you add it into the mix.
- Construct homemade puzzles with your family using sheets of cardboard. Use a box cutter to slice the box into squares or rectangles. Then, glue photos over them and cut them into piecs. Use the family time to explain the importance of recycling and reusing to your kids.
- What kid doesn’t love a big refrigerator box to camp in, or make a fort? Save large boxes for a little outdoor enjoyment and imagination. Just make it doesn’t rain before you recycle it, since wet cardboard can’t be recycled.
Become a Pro
- Feeling ambitious? Cardboard furniture is not only popular, but inexpensive to make if you’ve got the DIY spirit.
- Feeling really ambitious? Make a solar box cooker with cardboard boxes, foil, glue and plastic or glass.
- Start a small, cardboard box “co-op” with your friends. Store your boxes (when flattened, they barely take up any room in your garage), and when friends need boxes, they can borrow some and return when done.
As of June 17th 2011 we have upgraded our comment system to use Facebook comments.
The below comments are closed and are listed for historical purposes.
Lorraine
posted on January 28th, 2009 at 11:33 am
Does anyone have instructions/pattern for bags for grocery shopping use?
pat
posted on June 4th, 2009 at 3:53 am
I recycle everything I can. My cardboard goes to the recycle center or I just found a nursery that takes it for placing customers flowers in.
edie
posted on June 17th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Wet cardboard can’t be recycled – why? Does this mean that the recycling center where I take my cardboard doesn’t really recycle all that cardboard in that open-top dumpster??????? Please say “NO!”
Carol
posted on April 22nd, 2010 at 6:54 am
Re cardboard: I am AMAZED that you did not include the best use of all: cover large cardboard pieces with aluminum foil (shiny paint might do) and, in WINTER put them behind your radiators, shiny side facing in, to reflect the radiator’s heat in the one direction where it is needed and insulating the cold exterior wall from the radiator; in SUMMER, put the cardboard, shiny side out, in the windows to prevent sun from entering your house. This works even better if you can put the cardboard outside the window, but inside is good too. It is not beautiful to look at, but the cool air you feel with no air conditioning is beautiful on a hot summer’s day.
Sheila
posted on July 28th, 2010 at 11:28 am
Use cardboard to make a lasagna garden.