Be both crafty and practical with these recycled paper crafts.

Recycling is great and all, but creative reusing or re-purposing via paper crafts is even better.

Most cities and states now offer some sort of recycling programs, whether single-stream or bin sorted, but there’s still plenty of waste that happens, particularly with paper. The paper recycling process also has it’s downfalls too, like the chemicals needed to remove inks from paper and water and energy used during processing and transportation are all not that great for the planet. Reducing paper use or repurposing paper may be preferred over recycling and one way to do that is with clever paper crafts.

Of course, reducing paper use is easy on your end, but what about all that junk mail you can’t get away from and all those paper reports and agendas that are produced at your job? That’s where we come in. We’ve put together a roundup of some great paper crafts for reusing and making stuff with paper destined for the recycling bin.

From the practical to the just plain fun, here are 13 paper crafts for recycling paper:

1. Recycled Gift Wrap – Never buy gift wrap again! Instead, create your own paper gift boxes using one of these clever ideas from this tutorial, make your own gift bags or make your own recycled paper gift bows.

2. Recycling Basket – Make a basket to store your paper headed for recycling using this tutorial for a stylish basket made from newspapers.

3. Recycled Paper Geodesic Dome – Use rolled up newspapers to make paper “rods” for making a fun play rainy day play structure for kids. Instructions here.

4. Recycled Paper Dish – Repurpose old magazines into a pretty paper dish with a lid with this tutorial. Use it as a candy dish, change collector or to store jewelry in. In addition, here’s a tutorial for using the same concept to make lamps.

5. Recycled Paper Blossoms – Don’t buy cut flowers, instead make your own  with these ideas for making paper flowers.

6. Geometric Recycled Paper Necklace – This tutorial utilizes paper and paper clips to make a fabulously stylish bib necklace.

7. Recycled Paper Garland – Instead of tissue paper, use paper destined for the recycling bin and this tutorial to make a festive garland.

8. Recycled Mother’s Day Art – Use recycled paper to make this pretty butterfly artwork for your mom this Mother’s Day.

 Resources

http://www.livestrong.com/article/159591-the-negative-effects-of-recycling-paper/

http://www.environmentalleader.com/2013/08/01/changing-views-on-paper-recycling/

Related on Ecosalon

Say Yes Way to Modular Storage Made from Recycled Paper

The Facts About Paper

Eco Crush: Recycled Paper Lamps

Top Image: denise carbonell

The post 8 Creative Recycled Paper Crafts: Get Crafty with Your Recycling appeared first on EcoSalon.

A journal to document your caffeinated adventures.

What was that varietal of espresso you drank last week?

If your coffee drinking ventures are a blur, it’s time to jot them down. Just like a good wine journal to keep track of your favorite vineyards and vintages, this pocket sized coffee journal lets you remember all the important parts of your coffee drinking experiences, from the roaster to the taste. Just make sure your java is organic and fair trade, so it matches the ethos of this journal, made with 100% recycled papers sourced in the Pacific Northwest and printed using US-grown soy-based inks.

Available for $4 from 33 Coffees.

Look for Lustables daily at EcoSalon. 100% gorgeous green finds, and never sponsored. Submit your favorite to tips@ecosalon.com

The post Lustables: 33 Cups of Coffee Journal appeared first on EcoSalon.

A dozen guilt-free & old-school calendars for wrangling in next year’s commitments.

Next week being 2012, you’ve probably got an iSomething for sorting out your calendar needs. Responsibly so, too. The paper-making industry depends mostly on virgin wood-based fibers, which make the pulp that become the sheets of calendar paper. Well, no longer does January through December have to appear neatly printed courtesy of old growth and environmentally sensitive forests.

Still, for some, there are certain objects that are better left analog. That includes wall calendars and desktop agendas. Here are twelve (for 2012) that are guilt-free, conscious-raising and otherwise beautiful for marking out the year ahead.

First up, a handmade 2012 agenda planner from illustrator/designer Alex Wijnen made from recycled kraft-colored paper. Images on the cover and monthly divider pages are printed in full-color and weekly two-tone pages are printed on smooth uncoated paper.

A mini calligraphy calendar made from 100% cotton paper, means no trees were harmed in the filing of this scheduler. By K is for Calligraphy.

In case you need a reminder of the ticking clock that is your life, an unraveling calendar from Patrick Frey. Pull on the loose thread at the bottom of the wall calendar for today to unravel into tomorrow.

An adhesive wall calendar from Ferm Living made from decorative WallStickers. Simply stick on to smooth surface, schedule and swipe. Post-Its are included; chalk, optional.

Pirelli’s calendar features Kate Moss, naked. International design firm Method’s pet project stars their dogs, in various states of undress. Dogs play a major role in the laidback culture at Method, as does pet adoption. All proceeds from the 2012 Dogs of Method calendar go to the Petfinder.com Foundation, which is dedicated to saving the lives of homeless pets.

The Perpetual Produce calendar from Branch Home shows you what produce is in season month by month, and what to plant. It’s also regionalized. (Regions include Northern California, Southern California, Midwest, Pacific Northwest, and Texas. Coming soon are Mid-Atlantic, New England, New York, and Southeast.)

A DIY calendar that you can also use as a tea towel. From Curious Doodles.

The Custom Bicycle Calendar from EXIF features photo after glossy photo of two-wheelers. To a bike enthusiast, it’s almost pornographic.

From Indigo Bunting, Art director Erin Jang’s 2012 calendar is a farmable set of twelve illustrations, printed on heavy recycled stock.

Popping bubble wrap is one of those tactile experiences that all humans share in common, for whatever reason. Now, a wall calendar that gives you the satisfaction of popping a bubble every single day of the year. From Uncommon Goods.

Elegant, beautiful and minimalist, this calendar is old school without all the waste. It’s made from recycled material, plus perforated and bound with recycled rope. Packaged in a biodegradable plastic sleeve and shipped in a 100% recycled chartreuse envelope. By Natasha Mileshina at Bubbo.

Oh dear God: 366 days of cupcakes. Lucky you, 2012 is a leap year.

Image: Present & Correct

The post 12 Analog Calendars for Penciling in the New Year appeared first on EcoSalon.

These aren’t your grandmother’s paper flowers.

The word stems from ori (folding) and kami (paper), which rather sounds like gami, hence we have the traditional Japanese art form of Origami. Its origins date back to the 17^th century, but it’s since been popularized and westernized, in large part by Akira Yoshizawa, considered to be the grandmaster of the art.

Yoshizawa once explained that he wished “to fold the laws of nature, the dignity of life, and the expression of affection into my work.” His canvas, of course, was paper, poor pulpy paper, which gets such a bad wrap among the eco-conscious these days. No matter how much we recycle it, as newfangled it may be, our reliance on it is still responsible for untold deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and landfill waste.

To fold “the dignity of life” and “the laws of nature” into a product that comes from industrially harvested wood seems counterintuitive, doesn’t it? Ironic, even. But from Brooklyn to Berlin and beyond, the art of paper folding continues to surge in popularity – among young and innovative designers especially – challenging the way we consider the medium.

Brooklyn-based Brazilian artist Vik Muniz used the traditional origami crane to create a mosaic. More than two million were folded out of math homework, hall passes, love letters, candy wrappers and restaurant menus.

In Berlin, set designer Sarah Illenberger did the holiday windows for Hermes at the famous Kadewe department store. The result is whimsical and fantastical.

Craig Sonnenfeld remains rather mysterious. What we do know: he lives in Phoenix and creates amazing origami art out of dollar bills. The dude’s got money to fold.

Melbourne artist Matthew Gardiner coined the term Oribotics (a combination of origami and robotics) and created an entire art/science research field around it at the Ars Electronica Futurelab. Orbotics studies the interconnection of the aesthetic, biomechanic, and morphologic properties of robots and paper.

Also notable, his full scale Origami House constructed in 2008 from 1 square km of paper.

Swedish designer Mia Cullin creates textiles out of hand folded construction and geometric assemblies.

In Naples, Italian paper artist Andrea Russo folds modern origamic objects and cylinders, though his Van Gogh portrait is especially remarkable.

Holland based designer Yuya Ushida breaks the trend by using chopsticks to create a movable chair/couch, but relies on the principles and mathematics of origami.

In Paris, brothers and collaborators Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec created Clouds, an interlocking tile concept for the home. Though not strictly origami, Clouds is an installation (meant to be hung from a wall or ceiling) that takes its cue from origami masters: texture, form, and the tactile expression of affection.

Makes us want to reach out and crinkle something. At the very least, neatly fold.

Image: Trendenser.se; Design Taxi; Sara Illenberger; Deviant Art; Mathew Gardiner; Pleat Farm; Kvadrat

The post Cultural Origami: Pleats and Folds From All Over the Globe appeared first on EcoSalon.

Commemorate going back-to-school with a sustainable upgrade on a classic staple.

I so love the look of the traditional composition notebook. But ever since that less than stellar showing in advanced penmanship, I’ve forced them into the annals of fourth grade memories. The Decomposition notebook, however, well, that’s a concept worth revisiting.

Made from 100% post consumer waste recycled paper, it makes the grade for being environmentally kind. A notebook of eighty college ruled sheets costs $4.95 each and is available in Topographical Map, Woodgrain and Cherry Blossom.

Look for Lustables daily at EcoSalon. 100% gorgeous green finds, and never sponsored. Submit your favorite to tips@ecosalon.com

The post Lustables: Decomposition Books appeared first on EcoSalon.

Add a little texture to your life with these Paperforms from Mio.

Designer Jaime Salm of Mio wants to help you transform a room in your home in minutes with modular 3D wallpaper tiles. We love how these can add texture to a single wall or an entire room.

Mio says: “Create your own pattern variation by rotating the tiles or painting them in your favorite color. These lightweight, recycled paper modules come in packs of 12 one square foot tiles (30.5 cm x 30.5 cm) and can be installed temporarily with double-sided tape or permanently with wallpaper paste.”

Stay neutral or add some saturated color to add a little texture (and fun), to your inner home designer.

Look for Lustables daily at EcoSalon. 100% gorgeous green finds, and never sponsored. Submit your favorite to tips@ecosalon.com

The post Lustables: Mio’s Ripple Paper Forms appeared first on EcoSalon.

Nothing says sustainable like 100% recycled paper bowls.

Serve up something delicious in one of these stylish striped bowls designed by Takumi Shimamura for CUIORA. Available in small ($94) and large ($170), and in a variety of luscious colors, the Stripe bowl is hand-made from 100% recycled paper bands. Find them at Gretel.

Look for Lustables daily at EcoSalon. 100% gorgeous green finds, and never sponsored. Submit your favorite to tips@ecosalon.com

The post Lustables: Stripe Paper Bowls appeared first on EcoSalon.

Remember when pulp was just an optional serving of fruit flesh in your morning glass of orange juice? Now it’s an optional serving of cellulose fibers at your dining table. Designer Debbie Wijskamp uses recycled newspaper to make delicate pulp objects and robust furniture. Yes, furniture. Each piece varies slightly in color depending on the amount of ink saturated into the materials. I think Ms. Wijskamp’s collection is monochromatic perfection.

Pulp isn’t the only form of paper beautifying spaces these days. Made in Poland, this recycled paper pendant ($25) is gloriously utilitarian. If you yearn for a little more charisma in your pendant, take to the paint yourself and brush on a little personality – it’s highly encouraged by the designer, aptly named Make Your Lamp.

Paper mache still makes me think of sticky hands and long afternoons in fourth grade art class. Assuming your memories of paper mache are as amusing as mine, you will definitely be smitten with these birds by Stray Dog. These lovely little avian sculptures are handmade by Haitian artisans, available in delicious hues like Bahamian Sea Salt and Pumpkin Blush ($45 each).

The post Pulp? Or No Pulp? appeared first on EcoSalon.

It takes a village and and some of the best graphic artists around to rebuild after the devastating Southern California wildfires of 2007. Using the model of the Hurricane Poster Project for victims of Hurricane Katrina, artists and designers from around the globe donated posters to raise money for victims in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Diego Counties.

The So-Cal Fire Poster Project was the brainchild of Josh Higgins, a graphic designer from San Diego. Sold from $35 to $75, proceeds from the 52 designs are sent to the Salvation Army California Wildlife Relief Fund which will help residents in need.

Repopulating Hope and Long Live Southern Cal (below) are part of a series of four posters designed by the Metropolis magazine art department (MAKE0OUT) using 100% recycled papers. All of the posters are available at Relief Posters. For the price, you can add some meaningful art to your walls and help the fire recovery at the same time. These are so cool, you don’t even need to frame them. Just mount them on foam core and find a great spot in your house, perhaps near a fire hydrant as a reminder of fire safety.

The post Poster Child for Rebirth appeared first on EcoSalon.

We’ve just asked you to contemplate giving up your fridge; now how about the t.p.?

We’re kidding, of course. And if I told you that Greenpeace wants you to recycle tissues and toilet paper, you”Ëœd probably say “Ëœthat”Ëœs gross!’ But that’s only because you’ve taken the concept at face value. Greenpeace isn’t really asking you to re-use tissues and toilet paper. What they are asking is that when purchasing household paper products, why not choose ones that are recycled?

To make this easier for you to do, Greenpeace has put together a credit card sized Recycled Tissue and Toilet Paper Guide that you can download and print (on recycled computer paper) to use as a reference when you are out shopping.

The guide rates facial tissues, paper towels, toilet paper, and paper napkins based on the following important environmental benchmarks: that they are made from 100 percent overall recycled content, a minimum of which is 50 percent post-consumer recycled content and that they are not bleached with chlorine or toxic chlorine compounds.

Using these benchmarks, the guide gives a thumbs up to Green Forest, Natural Value, and Seventh Generation brands and a thumbs down rating to Kleenex, Cottonelle Charmin, and Angel Soft.

Of course, you could always go one better and use cloth hankies and old rags instead of tissues and paper towels.

Image: Samantha Celera

The post A Guide to Using Tissues & Toilet Paper (Yes, You Need It) appeared first on EcoSalon.