How to Reuse Paper

You can help the environment by reusing paper. Reuse minimizes the amount of trash you produce and conserves resources. Many everyday paper items can be reused and kept out of landfills.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Save paper that has print on only one side. This paper can be reused in a variety of ways: for writing lists or notes, as drawing or coloring paper for children, for home printing that doesn't need to be professional, or shred it and use it as garden mulch or packing material.

2. Save toilet paper rolls and paper towel rolls. These can be used for school or home art projects. They can also be used for starting seeds.

3. Save tissue wrapping paper. It can be reused for wrapping another gift, as packing material, or for protecting Christmas ornaments for storage.

4. Save junk mail. It can be used to make lists, as scratch paper, for a child's drawing, or shredded for packing material or garden mulch.

5. If you have some paper left that hasn't been reused through some method above, don't throw it away! Recycle it by taking it to your local recycle drop-off, or use it for home recycling. Home paper recycling is the art of making new paper from old paper. For instructions see, "How to Recycle Paper at Home," from the links below.

Tips & Warnings

• It's easy being green! The earth will love you for it.
• When shredding paper for garden mulch, it's best to use paper made from water-based ink. Water-based ink is non-toxic.

Resources

• Recycle Paper at Home
• Reuse Cardboard Boxes
• Reuse Toilet Paper Rolls to Start Seeds
• Reduce, Reuse & Recycle
• Use Less
• Reuse Dryer Lint
• Reuse Yogurt Containers
• Start a Freecycle Group

[Amin]

on 10/17/2008 Thank you for telling us how to reuse paper. I am already implementing some of the ideas and shall try the others.
How do we know whether the ink used is water-based or otherwise?

[vallain]

on 9/22/2008 Good recommendations.