How to Recycle Paper Egg Cartons

Paper egg cartons can be reused in many different ways.

Paper egg cartons are not worth recycling at a recycling center, according to Arcata Community Recycling Center in California. The cartons are made from papers and materials that have been repurposed so many times that the fiber content is too fine to recycle and use as paper again. However, because the paper fibers are so fine, the material decomposes in a compost pile very quickly. There also are many projects you can make from paper egg cartons.

Things You'll Need

• Paper egg cartons
• Soil
• Seeds
• Acrylic paint
• Paintbrushes
• Small items
• Trash bags
• Packing boxes
• Electrical tape
• White holiday lights
• Nail
• Hammer
• Push pins

Instructions

1. Fill the carton with potting soil; plant a seed inside each cup. Keep the soil moist. Plant the seedlings in the garden or pots when they grow too large for the cartons.

2. Paint the cartons to make them more attractive. When the paint dries, place small items such as change, earrings, hair ties or other objects in the cups.

3. Fill the bottom of a plastic trash bag with egg cartons to make the bottom sturdier. Use the cartons as a packing material when sending packages to friends or family.

4. Transform paper egg cartons into art projects. Make an unusual piece of wall art, such as a heart shape or an abstract 3-D piece. Create paper semi-trucks, or make a monster from several egg cartons painted green.

5. Poke a small hole into the bottom of the egg carton cups. Trim the edges of the cup to look like flower petals. Poke holes into the edges of the petals with a large nail. Push a light bulb from a holiday string of lights through the hole in the top of the egg flower. Use electrical tape to hold the flower petal in place. Turn on the lights for twinkling flower lights.

6. Nail several egg cartons to a wall for an impromptu and environmentally friendly message board. Use push pins to hold papers and messages on the cartons.

References

• Cult Case: Reusing Egg Cartons
• Planet Green: Discover 16 Little-Known Ways You Can Reuse, Recycle Egg Cartons
• Arcata Recycling: Paper Egg Cartons