18 Ways to Reuse or Recycle Old Newspaper
By Joan Whetzel
Most people get their news from the TV, Radio, or internet these days. Not so much from newspapers. But those of us who still love to spend time pouring over the local newspaper are faced with the challenge of what to do with the paper once we're done reading it. Here are a few ways to reuse or recycle old newspapers.
1. Cleaning. Newspaper can be used with a few squirts of window cleaner to clean mirrors and windows. They leave these surfaces streak free.
2. Humane Society & SPCA Donations. The Humane Society and SPCA are always looking for donations of items that will help them take care of their animals in the most cost effective way. Newspapers are one of those items they use daily to line cages. If you donate all of your newspapers to these fine organizations you may even be able to take the cost as a tax deduction.
3. Lining Bird Cages. Yes, line the bird cage at home. Makes clean up much easier.
4. Litter Box Filler. First shred the newspaper, or gut it into small strips. Then use it exclusively in the place of kitty litter or mix with the kitty litter to extend your kitty litter usage. Either way, it's a cost effective measure to taking care of the litter box.
5. Paper Training. There' salways this tried-and-true, time-honored tradition of training a puppy.
6.Paper Mache. We've all done paper Mache projects for school. Newspaper probably one of the best materials because it accepts glue and paint so nicely. If you need a glue recipe or a couple of paper Mache ideas, check out these two websites.
- Paper Mache Glue Recipeshttp://www.kids-fun-and-games.com/paper-mache-recipe.html
- How to Paper Mache http://www.dltk-kids.com/type/how_to_paper_mache.htm
7. Decoupage. This craft form might be considered a variation of paper Mache. It has a different artistic style to it though in that it uses the newspaper to decorate specific containers or surfaces, which are then shellacked to seal the newspaper in place. The decoupage artist can use newspaper articles, titles and headlines, or photos. For some interesting ideas on using newspaper clippings in decoupage check out this website.
- Decoupage with Newspaper Clippings at http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf57769606.tip.html
8. Scrapbooking.Keeping a scrapbook of memories for yourself or someone else is a wonderful way of telling a person's story. Include any newspaper articles that appear about that person (including birth, wedding, or death announcements). Better yet, find articles, headlines, or story titles that describe that person and scatter these throughout the scrapbook. Or, if the person you're making the scrapbook for, is a die-hard fan of the local football team, include some of the team's highlights. When keeping a bride's book, include newspaper articles or photos that will contribute to the bride's wedding plans. If you're looking for a new home or remodeling ideas, keep clippings and photos in a planning book. Anything goes here.
- Scrapbooking with Newspaper http://www.scrapbookpreservationsociety.com/downloads/newsprint.pdf
- Preserving Newspaper Clippings http://scrapbooking.families.com/blog/preserving-newspaper-clippings
- HeadlineMemories http://www.headlinememories.com/guide.html
9. Pirate Hat. This one has been around, probably, since the first newspaper was printed. Kids love them and they emit fond memories of childhood for most of us kids-at-heart. The following link has the directions for those who haven't tried it - or who have forgotten how to turn a newspaper page into this great character's hat.
- Make Your Own Pirate Hat http://www.uggabugga.com/Arts%20&%20Crafts/Origami/Origami%20-%20Hat%20Instructions.htm
10. Table Protection for Arts and Crafts Projects. Open out several pages and spread them out on the kitchen or dining room table before beginning any art or craft project. Just be sure to make the layer of newspaper thick enough so that the art materials (glue, paint, shellac) don't bleed through to the table top. The best part of this re-use of newspaper, is that you simply bundle up the mess inside the newspaper before taking it to the garbage can outside. The whole mess is biodegradable, as long as it's not placed into a plastic bag.
11. Wrapping Paper or Gift Bags. Newspaper makes great wrapping paper and gift bags. Use the comics for the kids or kids-at-heart in your family. Why not use the sports section for the sports fanatic, the home section for the realtor in your life, the bridal section for the bride-to-be, the classifieds for the college graduate, or the travel section for someone who's planning a trip or who just came back from a trip. The following link gives directions for making newspaper gift bags.
- How to Make Gift Bags from Newspaper http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/2010/07/how-to-make-gift-bags-from-newspaper.html
12. Table Cloth for Crawfish Boil. How many of you have been to a crawfish boil? Be honest, now. You thought this newspaper table cloth was a cool idea, didn't you. The treat thing is that you don't have to save this idea only for crawfish boils. You can use it for any picnic table.
13. Fire Starter (Tinder). Ever have trouble starting a fire (fireplace, campfire, charcoal grill, patio firepot)? You've done everything you normally do to get the fire started, but for some reason, it remains stubbornly resistant to your efforts. Newspaper makes great tinder. WARNING! Kids should not try this at home or without adult supervision.
14. Garden Mulch. Shred or cut the newspaper into strips and add it to the mulch pile, which will end up feeding your plants.
15. Shredded for Package Filler. Shredded newspaper makes great - free - filler for those package you send out. Buying those Styrofoam peanuts and other fillers can get expensive after awhile. why not use your old newspapers as a packaging material. It'll save you a bit of money.
16. Wrap Delicate Items for Moving. A variation on the packaging idea is to wrap delicate and breakable items before boxing them in preparation for moving to a new location. Wad up some of the newspaper and pack it around these items or in between to keep them from shifting around or bumping into each other during the moving process.
17. Line the Vegetable Drawer. In the refrigerator, lining the veggie drawer with newspaper (and refreshing it from time to time)will help keep it dry and free of smells.
18.Ripen Tomatoes. There are many reasons for wanting - or needing - to ripen tomatoes indoors.Here's one way to do that.Wrap each tomato on a piece of newspaper. Then leave them out at room temperature to ripen them more quickly. This is a variation of the ripening-in-a-bag trick. It works pretty much the same way.
Resources
How to Make Gift Bags from Newspaper
http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/2010/07/how-to-make-gift-bags-from-newspaper.html
Make Your Own Pirate Hat http://www.uggabugga.com/Arts%20&%20Crafts/Origami/Origami%20-%20Hat%20Instructions.htm
Scrapbooking with Newspaper http://www.scrapbookpreservationsociety.com/downloads/newsprint.pdf
Preserving Newspaper Clippings
http://scrapbooking.families.com/blog/preserving-newspaper-clippings
HeadlineMemories
http://www.headlinememories.com/guide.html
Paper Mache Glue Recipes
http://www.kids-fun-and-games.com/paper-mache-recipe.html
How to Paper Mache
