The Beautiful Art of Recycling: Used Paper and Old Magazines

Recycling projects are something that I personally appreciate and support.  Last time, I compiled ideas on how to re-purpose old window shutters.  Today, I found brilliant ideas on how to recycle or up-cycle used paper and old magazines.  Instead of throwing away unwanted sheets of paper or old magazines in the trash, why not turn them into something decorative and utilitarian?

floating paper butterflies 

via: Pinterest

Why should we consider recycling paper?  According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, about "33 percent of the municipal solid waste stream (MSW) is made up of paper and paperboard products" (Earth911).  In the Philippines, the National Solid Waste Management Commission reports that about 16 percent of the total solid waste is paper (DENR).  We can thus imagine what a big difference it would make if only each household would avoid wasting paper and try to find ways to recycle or up-cycle paper trash to prevent them from ending up in the landfill.  

paper ribbon
via: Pinterest {tutorial}

The nice thing about paper is that it is a versatile material and there are literally hundreds of different crafts, from simple DIY projects to the more complicated art of paper cutting, you can find online.  On this post, I chose DIYs that I think are easy enough for me to do {except for the Hydrangea and Mums bouquet} :)  If you feel like you're not crafty enough, you may want to take a moment to click on the tutorial links and see for yourself.  You might be inspired to create your own version. So, are you ready to give these craft projects a try?

gift wrap ribbons
via: Pinterest

 Origami hearts
 via: Pinterest {tutorial}

 envelopes
via: Pinterest {tutorial}

 paper earrings
via: Pinterest

 

 whimsical wreath
via: Pinterest

 

magazine vases
via: Pinterest

 

paper flowers
via: Pinterest {tutorial}

 paper bouquet
 via: We Heart It {tutorial}

paper cone garland
via: We Heart It via: Casaecose

jar or vase embellishment
via: We Heart It {tutorial}

"hugs & kisses" garland

via: We Heart It {tutorial}

Which of these ideas have you done or like to try?  Do you know of other paper recycling inspirations?  Feel free to share the links with everyone :) Thanks!

The Beautiful Art of Recycling: Window Shutters

I love recycled projects! I always think about trying them myself even though I know that I'd probably won't be able to do most of them.  I found these creative new uses for old window shutters in the home.  The idea of using this as a mood board or a mail sorter is a clever one but that's not all you can do with it.  It can also work as a rustic headboard, a wedding prop, an interesting piece of wall decor or a place to hang planters in your garden.  Take a look at these super-cool ideas:  (Click on the link at the bottom of each picture to view the source.)

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Which one of these projects would you be willing to try for your home?