How to Recycle Shredded Paper

You've been acting responsibly and avoiding identity theft by shredding all your junk mail, old letters, or credit card and bank statements. Now take acting responsibly to a new level by recycling your shredded paper. Here's a few ideas to get you started:

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Shredder
• Unwanted documents

1. Protect your breakables.

   Shredded paper is a great protector for your fragile Christmas ornaments. Line the bottom of a box with a thick layer of paper, position ornaments with an inch of space between them, then add another layer on top. You can continue adding layers to the top of the box.
   *If you have some smaller cardboard boxes (cereal boxes work great), flatten them and use as extra reinforcement between layers.

2. Make A Nest

   Small animals like hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, and mice love shredded paper in their cages. It's a great nesting material!

   You can also call your local animal rescue and ask if they can use the donation.

3. Stuff A Scarecrow

   You can use the shreddings to stuff a scarecrow at Halloween or for a Harvest Festival.

   Planning a bonfire for your next school football game? Shredding paper can be used to create any effigy you have in mind.

4. Recycle & save on your utility bill

   Create a homemade draft stopper for your window sills or doors. Using an old bath towel, sew sides together and one end to create a tube. Turn inside out. Stuff tightly with shredded paper, then sew the remaining end shut. Instant and inexpensive way to save energy in your home!

Tips & Warnings

• Store shreddings in a large, plastic garbage can with a lid, or in tightly closed lawn trash bags.

Resources

• RecyclingTips.org
• Recycling Resources - AMAZON
• eHow Going Green Guide