Don’t know what to do with your cardboard boxes?
There are many ways to get rid of cardboard boxes without throwing them in the trash.
You can donate them or, even better, reuse them for creative projects with kids and family.
Donate, reuse or store them safely.
There are lots of people who need cardboard boxes and locations that will accept them.
Search online or post on social media and you may be surprised with what you find out.
Whether you choose to keep them or not, do not store cardboard boxes in your garage because they tend to attract critters.
If you need to keep any type of cardboard, store it in plastic containers to keep critters out.
Be careful with cardboard storage.
I learned this the hard way after critters got into cardboard boxes and then into my car in the garage. It cost money to fix the car water hose, and then they came back again.
- Donate
- Reuse
- Recycle
- Store in plastic
- Avoid garage boxes
Need ideas on how to reuse boxes, bags and paper?
Social media offers tons of resources on how to reuse boxes and papers of all forms.
Crafts with Kids
I use these materials to teach kids how to reuse items to create cards, envelopes, door hangers, gift bags and gift boxes that they can give to relatives, friends, teachers and others.
Kids as young as 2 can make these things with your help. They love spending time doing it, and they learn to count, identify colors and be creative.
Here are some I made.
Create door hangers.
Cardboard, grocery bags and paper scraps can be reused to create fun door hangers and simple decorative projects.
Decorate binders.
Paper materials can be reused to decorate binders, folders and organizing tools in a creative and personal way.
Make thank-you designs for small gift bags and boxes.
Kids can use reused paper and cardboard to make thank-you designs, gift bags and small gift boxes for people they care about.
Tips before cutting cardboard or paper.
- Begin by cleaning the material if using a cardboard box or grocery bag so the adhesive can adhere properly.
- Cut the box or bag into smaller pieces and separate them into sections based on how you plan to use them.
- Be careful to only use dies that cut the type of material you are cutting.
- Make sure the cutting pads fit well in the die cutting machine before running it through.
- Do not use force or too much pressure, otherwise your die and machine may get damaged.
Simple materials can become meaningful projects.
With a little creativity, cardboard boxes, food storage boxes, paper grocery bags and other paper materials can become useful and fun craft projects.