Did you know that the average American receives around 40 pounds of junk mail each year? That amounts to around 4 million tons of paper that are simply thrown out and wasted every year.
We recommend doing everything possible to find a service that stops, or at least reduces, the amount of junk mail you receive but until then? You can turn your junk mail into helpful uses around the house or works of art!
Get out your glossy catalogs and page of coupons; here are 10 crafty and practical uses for that annoying junk mail.
10. Use as packing material
If you’re sending something in the mail that contains fragile objects, don’t waste your money on bubble wrap or expensive packing materials — simply pad the breakable item with some crumpled up piece of junk mail. Or run the junk mail through a shredder for a more subtle padding.
9. Save it for garden mulch
Not even kidding — you can just lay out junk mail on your garden as mulch. Newspaper and junk mail make perfect weed barriers and act just like traditional mulch. It might not be as pleasing to the eye though so you might want to put a thin layer of mulch or leaves over it.
8. Make a junk mail gift bag
Find a page out of a clothing or homeware catalog and use it to line a boring or mis-themed gift bag. Once the holiday themed junk mail starts coming in, this is a great way to spruce up your presents.
7. Junk mail coasters
You’ll need 6 pages from a magazine, brochure, or catalog for this fun DIY project. A few catalogs later and you’ve got gifts for the entire neighborhood!
6. Use it as origami paper
Cut your junk mail into perfect squares of varying sizes for pieces of origami paper. Create colorful and unique origami foldings with something you would otherwise have thrown in the garbage.
5. Security envelope notepad
The pattern inside security envelopes that come from banks or other businesses is basically a free form of stationary. This awesome DIY project turns annoying bills and bank statements into something you’ll actually enjoy opening!
4. Decorate with junk mail snowflakes
Instead of those typical, boring white homemade snowflakes, add some color to your winter decorations with some junk mail snowflakes! Advertisers often use bright colors to catch your attention, they also make great eye-catching crafts.
3. DIY wrapping paper
Cut out seasonal photos from pieces of junk mail and glue them to the paper from a brown paper bag — you now have unique, handmade wrapping paper that will definitely catch the attention of the gift receiver.
2. Turn security envelopes inside out to use them again
This isn’t just practical but it’s efficient! Reuse security envelopes from bills or bank statements and use this simple technique to turn it back as good as new.
1. Make a side table or statement piece with old catalogs
Creating this funky side table is easier than you think. Take some old catalogs and transform them into a statement piece! It’s actually super sturdy as well.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
