We live in an on-demand world. We’re always a click or two away from receiving next-day deliveries from around the globe. The ease and speed of online shopping has changed people’s lives. But what are some of the issues with this convenience? Piles of packaging. Heaps of cardboard, packaging foam, and bubble wrap are building up in our homes faster than ever before.
Here are a few ways that you can repurpose some of the packaging that comes with your deliveries.
Bubble wrap for storage and mailing
Bubble wrap can be reused in many ways and many times over. One great way to reuse bubble wrap is storing your fragile items when not being used. We know it’s tempting, but popping the bubbles makes the wrap less effective! You can also help keep the shape of costumes, purses and hats while in storage by filling them with bubble wrap.
No need to spend your money on padded envelopes. Make your own reusing bubble wrap you already have.
After reusing plastic packaging material, make sure to dispose of these items properly. Use our Green Disposal Guide to learn how.
Egg cartons and toilet paper rolls as seed starters and fire starters
Getting your seeds started indoors can be an easy trick to guarantee gardening success. There’s no need to spend money on expensive indoor seed starter kits when you can use egg cartons or toilet paper rolls.
Toilet paper rolls can be placed vertically in rows in larger containers and filled with potting soil. When the weather gets warm enough, these rolls can be placed directly in the ground, letting the cardboard decompose naturally.
Egg cartons can also be used to get seeds started indoors. Depending on the material used for the carton, they can also be placed directly into the ground. If the carton is made of paper, you’re good to go.
Empty egg cartons or toilet paper rolls, shredded paper, and melted beeswax can also be combined to create effective fire starters. Do not use dryer lint, as some suggest, as it likely contains plastic microfibers.
Packing foam or empty plastic containers as fillers in large pots
Have you ever had a large decorative potted plant that became too heavy to be moved easily? It’s possible that the entire pot didn’t actually need to get filled with dirt. Try placing packing foam or empty pots upside down at the bottom of the pot to reduce the amount of dirt or potting soil required to fill the pot.
Cardboard pieces or packing paper as weed barrier or killer
If you’re looking for an easy way to block or kill weeds or grass without chemicals or an expensive cloth weed barrier, you can use sheets of cardboard or packing paper laid out on the ground. The cardboard blocks the sun, effectively killing weeds. The cardboard then breaks down into compost, adding nutrients to the soil. This is a cheap and effective way to stop weeds and clear grassy areas for new garden beds in areas you wish to clean up. Make sure to pull off plastic, shipping labels, and tape before using.
Wood pallets as compost bins or planters
Larger deliveries often come on wood pallets. It’s up to the consumer to figure out how to dispose of these pallets. There are some businesses that recycle pallets, but if you have a few sitting around, you can get creative.
- You can use them to create a compost bin. The slats create great airflow, and the entire structure can be easily disassembled when you want to move or eliminate the compost pile. Joe Gardener has some great tips on how to build a pallet compost bin and which type of pallets not to use. Also, check with your city to make sure your bin meets your city’s ordinance on compost bins.
- You can do all sorts of garden projects with old pallets. Check out The Spruce’s 14 Crafty Wooden Pallets Ideas for Your Garden.
Shredded cardboard or packing paper as compost
Shredded cardboard or packing paper can be used to accelerate decomposition in compost. You can shred or tear cardboard into small pieces to help it decompose more easily. You’ll need to avoid composting dyed, colored or coated paper/cardboard, since these features may include chemicals and other unnatural components. Dengarden answers many questions on Can you compost shredded paper?
We hope this article inspires you to take a moment to think about ways that you can repurpose your packaging before hauling it to the curb.
Here’s our guide on how to dispose of items that can’t be repurposed, donated, or sold and check out our reuse directory to find resources to help you donate, sell, or repair used items.
