Recycling and reusing items is a good way to help the environment. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, American workers use 4 million tons of paper each year. Although it may seem like a small contribution, reusing your old computer paper is an important step in doing your part to help the environment. Involve your family in helping you find uses for all that still good, but no longer needed paper.
Make Note Pads
If you or someone you know is a note taker, use your old computer paper to make small notepads, recommends the Extension Office of Ohio State University. Use scissors or a paper cutter to cut the computer paper into squares or rectangles. Put the paper into small stacks. Get an old cereal box or small piece of cardboard and cut it into the same size as your paper. Place the paper on top of the cardboard piece for stability and staple together.
Wrapping Paper
Wrapping paper can be expensive. Get your kids or friends together and have a wrapping-paper-making party. Provide everyone with some markers, stamps and ink or sponges and paint. Decorate the computer paper, let it dry and use it to wrap small holiday or birthday gifts. If you are moving or need to store fragile items, use old paper to protect items from damage, advises the website A Recycling Revolution.
Use Both Sides
Energy Quest, a website of the California Energy Commission suggests using both sides of the paper when possible. After reading the document, save the paper and use the other side to print a draft of a report or a rough draft of a school paper. Give your child the extra paper and let him practice his handwriting. When you have used both sides, shred the paper and save it to use as insulation when mailing packages.
Kids Crafts
Save your old paper for those times when your kids are looking for a rainy day activity. Pull out your stash of paper and show your child how to fold the paper into interesting origami shapes. Give them decorative scissors and tell them to cut the paper into rectangles for bookmarks.
Laura C. Martin, in her book "Recycled Crafts Box" recommends making Encore Envelopes out of old computer paper. Get an old envelope from your junk mail and use it as a pattern. Carefully loosen the glue from the old envelope until you can lay the envelope flat on your computer paper. Trace and cut around the outside edges. Fold your computer paper envelope following the fold lines on the original envelope. Decorate the outside and use the envelopes for invitations, valentine cardholders or greeting cards.
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