How to Recycle Shipping Supplies

If you receive packages in the mail on a regular basis you probably find that you have more styrofoam peanuts, bubble wrap and boxes than you know what to do with. If you ship items out on a regular basis, recycle your shipping supplies by reusing them in your outgoing packages.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Put styrofoam peanuts and pieces, bubble wrap and other packing material to use in crafts. Glue materials onto paper for 3-D collages and pictures.
2. Use boxes around the house to organize, sort and store any number of things. Boxes can also be used to hold gifts before wrapping them.
3. Drop your styrofoam peanuts, bubble wrap and other packing materials off at a UPS or pack and ship store. These stores will usually take these products as a donation and re-use them in their business.
4. Run an ad in a free classifieds such as Craig's List online offering free shipping supplies. Many people do eBay or other online sales and would love to recycle your shipping supplies for you.
5. Place styrofoam peanuts in the bottom of flower pots. This will help with drainage, cut down on the amount of dirt you need to put in the pot, and make the pot lighter weight for moving it.
6. Turn styrofoam into a permanent glue for use around the house. Soak the Styrofoam in a commercially purchased biodegradable solvent. It will break down into a sticky substance that works well as a permanent glue.

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