CRAFT & SUSTAINABILITY

Reducing waste when crafting at home.

As a family we are moving towards a more sustainable life. We are not dropping off the grid, but we are on a journey, learning more about how we can continue to lessen our impact on the world and change our habits for the long term. We aim to buy less, make more and re-use what we already have.

Despite these efforts, we are very far from perfect.

During the last few years of creative exploration with my children, we have delved many times into our household recycling bin to create all manner of fun creations. We went through a long period of making epic constructions from cardboard boxes, so much so that I published a whole book about it.  However, as we covered boxes with paint, glue and collage I questioned the sustainability of what was doing. Have I just made a cardboard box that could have been recycled into rubbish?  

Cardboard TV constructed for my book Adventures in Cardboard

To understand more and answer my question, I went on a deep-dive into the processes involved in post consumer recycling here in Australia. I wanted to gain knowledge and find out how I could mitigate waste produced in our crafting.

As with most things, the answer wasn’t simple. In relation to recycling cardboard and paper, the amount of contaminants (i.e. tape, adhesive, ink or staples) that can be on cardboard, and it still be recyclable, depends on where your cardboard is being sent to be recycled. Here in Australia, there are only 5 companies that recycle paper and cardboard. These are located in NSW, VIC and QLD. If you live in a metropolitan area in one of these states, the chances are your paper and cardboard will be sent to one of these recycling facilities. These companies can deal with some contaminants, they will be screened out during the recycling process. One of these companies is Visy who share some interesting educational resources and videos on their website about the recycling sorting process. However, if you are not in these areas, your recycling may be sent overseas to be processed, in which case contaminated cardboard wouldn’t be accepted.

To find the most accurate information relating to where you live, I recommend contacting your local council to find out where your household recycling is sorted and processed.

So, going back to my question about producing waste whilst creating epic cardboard crafts, I now try to reduce the amount of contaminants we add by removing plastic tape from cardboard boxes (we use recyclable kraft tape instead), using a limited amount of adhesives and not adding non-recyclable items, like foam or plastic glitter, to our constructions. In making these changes, it now makes it easier for me to break down crafts we make and add them to our household recycling in the knowledge that i’m not adding too many contaminants into the recycling process.

Cardboard Rocket and Pirate Ship created for my book Adventures in Cardboard

I also console myself with the fact that when I build cardboard cubby houses, rocket ships or other toys for my children to play with, I am recycling cardboard in my own way by using post consumer boxes for the construction. I’m also not adding to consumer waste by purchasing new toys for my children. The cardboard cubby house I constructed when writing my book Adventures in Cardboard still sits in my daughters bedroom 4 years later and is still played with regularly. 

Our efforts are far from perfect but we are trying to consider the impact all facets of our family life has on our environment.

The art-covered cubby house my daughter still plays with 4 years later.

Here are a few simple tips to lessen your environmental impact when crafting:

RAID THE RECYCLING 

Rather than buying new cardboard or other materials, use what you already have. Cardboard boxes, toilet rolls, egg cartons, bottle tops and other packaging make excellent crafting materials.

We love reusing our household recycling to create art, not only does it demonstrate resourcefulness, it is also free. For a child approaching an art or craft project there is something much less intimidating about repurposing an old cardboard box than facing a pristine piece of paper, freeing your little ones to just be creative rather than worry about getting it right. 

USE NATURAL MATERIALS

Go on a treasure hunt for natural materials. Sticks, pine cones, seedpods, feathers and leaves all make excellent additions to your craft supplies. We also love using natural craft materials like wooden components and beads, raffia, cotton or wool.

AVOID PLASTIC

Avoid adding plastic like foam or plastic sticky tape to your craft projects. Use paper sticky tape instead, this can be recycled along with your other paper and cardboard. Avoid micro-plastics like glitter, there are some great eco-friendly glitters available now if you need a little sparkle!

MIX YOUR OWN PAINT COLOURS 

Try to avoid using lots of single use plastic bottles when buying paint. If buying pre-mixed poster paints, you could buy primary colours in bulk and mix your own colour variations, storing any excess in jars to use later.  Another alternative is to buy natural paint pigment powders and mix your own paints.

SHOP SECOND HAND

You can often find interesting items for crafting in your local second hand shop. Look out for fabrics, yarn, wooden building blocks, glass jars to store materials and trays to use as paint pallets.

BUY IN BULK

Buy glue and other craft supplies in bulk to lessen the amount of packaging used.

REUSE or RECYCLE

Reuse your old art & craft projects, if you can’t reuse them then break down the parts and recycle the materials.

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Eleanor X