How to Recycle Book Paper
If your book is past the point of readability, and you can't pass it on to a needy school or donate it to a thrift store, recycling the pages is your next best option. Recycling battered and torn books can be as simple as removing the pages and throwing them in your household recycling bin, or it can be as fun as making a recycled craft project from the pages.
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Things You'll Need
- Scissors Cardboard Glue Thread Hole punch Metal clothes hanger Stapler Flour Water
Instructions
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Cut out pictures from picture books to make a collage. Paste the cut-out pictures to a cardboard backing.
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Make a mobile for a child's room by pasting the pictures to a piece of cardboard. Cut out the shape, then punch a hole in the top of a shape with a hole punch. Tie one end of a piece of thread to the cut out, then tie the other end to a metal clothes hanger, which can be bent almost flat.
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Make a sheet of wrapping paper. Cut interesting elements from the book pages such as large text, chapter headings and pictures. Glue the edges together to make a large sheet of paper. To make ribbons for the package, cut four 6-inch-long strips from the paper. Fold each strip into a circle and staple. Place the circles together to make a sphere. Press down in the center of the sphere to flatten the circles, then staple the center to hold the ribbon together.
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Cut the paper into thin strips for papier mache. For an economical paper mache paste, mix one part flour to three parts water. Papier-mache can be used to make pinatas, lamp bases, vases, and a variety of other handmade goods.
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Tips & Warnings
Book paper can normally be placed in your recycling bin. Check with your recycling facility before placing glossy pages in the bin; they may not be accepted. The bindings themselves aren't recyclable: the glue, staples, or thread must be removed before you place the book paper in a recycling bin.
References
- Photo Credit book image by Pali A from Fotolia.com
