Environmentally Friendly Scrapbooking

After touring a recycling plant, I came home with lots of environmentally friendly ideas for our household. I looked around the house, though, and discovered that a large amount of my waste came from my scrapbook area. Paper, packaging, and unused items cluttered my scrapbook area. I was challenged to find ways to be environmentally friendly and scrapbook at the same time. Here are some ideas for using the 3 R’s (recycle, reuse and reduce) in your scrapbook hobby:

Recycle. Recycling is the process of turning waste materials such as paper and plastics into a new resource. To recycle, save recyclable items and send or take them to a recycling facility. The facility will process the materials so it can be used in new materials.

• The craft of scrapbooking involves a lot of paper products, including cardstock, patterned paper, and packaging. Often scrapbook items are sold in plastic packaging as well. Learn what items can be recycled in your area.


• Set up a spot in your scrapbook area for placing items that can be recycled. In my scrapbook area I have one trash can for recycling papers and one for non-recyclable items. Sort paper and other recyclable items as you are scrapping.


• When opening a new product, divide the paper and plastic aspects of the product. Sort and place any recyclable items in the appropriate recycling containers.


• Support recycled products. Write to the scrapbook manufacturers asking them to consider using recycling materials in their products.

Reuse. Reusing is the process of using items again. Reusing benefits the environment because the material does not need to be processed into a new material. Reusing also benefits other people because more than one person can use the item.

• Repair scrapbook tools that have broken.
• Find multiple uses for a tool or scrapbook product.
• Save scraps of paper in a scrap file to be used later.
• Donate to charity items that are no longer used.
• Sell items that are no longer used.
• Share or trade idea books and magazines with others.
• Purchase slightly used items from others or at a garage sale.
• Scrapbook supplies often come in attractive packaging. Be creative and use this packaging for various craft projects.

Reduce. Reducing is the process of consuming less and throwing away less.

• Purchase durable, long-lasting products.
• Do not buy the newest item if an item you have already will do the same thing.
• Do not buy new items unnecessarily.
• Use old items as much as possible before purchasing new items.
• Find items around the house to use instead of buying something new.

By following some of these tips you can keep your supplies to a minimum and help the environment at the same time.

Shop at the Scrapbook.com Superstore for all your Scrapbooking Supplies!
Enjoy 5-Star service, HUGE selection and LOW prices!
Click here to start shopping!