Reusing Packing Materials

Rethinking Recycling

Over the years, we've seen some very inspiring, creative ways to use excess packaging materials. From cardboard office walls, to children's playhouses – there is virtually no limit to what you can do. While were not suggesting you need to invent a cardboard car (though that would be awesome, wouldn't it?), we simply think that heading to the recycling bin is the easy (albeit environmentally friendly) way out.

Here are some links that show ingenuity with packaging materials:

• Composting. The beauty in this idea is that the cardboard boxes which hold the compost pile, eventually become compost themselves.
• Workspace. The creative minds at Paul Coudamy Design created a functional office out of cardboard materials. It doubles as a meeting space for up to four people. 
• School, preschool or daycare crafts. Many times these places are looking for free materials for crafts and art projects. Many packaging peanuts are re-used in artwork or used to make something. Contact your local schools to find out more.
• Reuse. Give the boxes to someone that can use them if you can’t. Put them up for reuse on-line at sites like craigslist, Free Cardboard Boxes or freecycle.org. Check out U-Haul's free box trading message boards or see if your local U-Haul store collects them for reuse. Some will also take packing peanuts as well.