29 Ways to Reduce Waste in Paper Crafting | Eco Friendly Ideas

[@ritatharp5238]

YES, our motto should be "use what you have"!

[@debbieduran6791]

Cut up pretty borders on old calendar pages, cardboard backing from new products, garment hang tags, etc. are some things I repurpose.

[@jesseb5112]

I ADORE my ecotank printer!! I haven't bought patterned paper since the end of 2019. My favorite size for paper is 8.5x11. I usually end up with papers I don't love when I buy paper packs. Digital paper lets me print only the sheets I want, and as many copies of those sheets that I want. I bought access to 1 site (lifetime access), and I bought a whole shop bundle for a shop on etsy. She adds everything new she puts in the shop on the Google drive that I can then download. I freaking love the snipping tool for digitals. I love your tip on making the most of our supplies. It isn't environmentally friendly to toss things that are not eco friendly. It is better to use it up!!

[@JessCrafts]

So many great points and tips! Glad you were able to find things that work so well for you.

[@ellenjampole1905]

Being new to digital images, I had not thought of using the snipping tool for them. Brilliant! Thank you.

[@jesseb5112]

​@@ellenjampole1905 You are welcome. My husband put it on my task bar. I am NOT tech savvy, or semi competent. The snipping tool is especially good for cut apart images.

[@janasher4940]

Totally use scrap paper instead of foam. I also use my cardboard boxes from food also. If I am concerned about the person keeping the card or it's a very special card, I will use a Mogyann pen or any black marker and color the edges of the scraps black before I glue it down. If you have foam, use this to create stamps out of your dies. It is wonderful if you have solid images for leaves or pets or flowers, then you can create a stamp from foam to match the die.

[@janasher4940]

Great ideas here. I have found StampinUp stamp sets at my local art thrift store. Always shop the art used products stores regularly. You will find treasures at 50% less or cheaper. Buying stamps and dies used is a great way to build your inventory.

[@carnovale5]

Thank you so much for these suggestions. A couple things I do is I don't use Cardstock as an extra layer I typically do more clean and simple cards as well as single layer cards. If I do have a second layer of cardstock I always cut out circles or tags from the center that is going to be covered up by patterned paper anyways. So I have some extra punch shapes as well. I also donate my scraps to people online who do classes with their churches/community groups etc. I don't throw a lot out, If I'm not going to use it I will list it online for free and I always have someone who will use it and come and pick it up. I'm also in a scrap your scraps group online for ideas etc.

[@roden70]

I use the old boxes where my cats wetfood is sold in as inkpad holders. They are a perfict fit for a lot of inks.

[@tjyb1502]

Great topic and very thorough presentation! I always try to cut out the middle of my layers, no point wasting a whole piece of cardstock just to create a back layer! Also I recycle and reuse as much as possible but sometimes frugal crafting leads to hoarding! Lol😊 Thanks for sharing some great ideas! Happy Earth Day!

[@JessCrafts]

Happy Earth Day! The balance between trying our best to reuse and not getting overwhelmed with stuff is a tough one.

[@jesseb5112]

I battle this! I have to limit the space for junk mail, boxes... etc

[@marcialedbetter438]

Thrifting for crafting supplies is my jam. I go through envelopes since I make loads of cards. I recently found 50 grad party cards and envelopes at thrift store for 1.99. I don't need grad party invitations but the envelopes were A2 and I can use the invitations for other activities. Sometimes you have to dig but still worth it!

[@deeshah6250]

I am glad am not the only one😅. I was given a stash of old invites I think they were party invites and some were wedding ones. It was those paper kind. I used the back of the invites for notes and made cards to fit the envelopes 😊

[@desireejones1917]

Great tips! Thanks so much for taking the time to share this.

[@nicolalederer9517]

Hey, Jess, this is a great idea! I feel, as crafters we all are a bit slow, waking up to our impact upon mother earth. Maybe we can not all do everything but we can all try to do SOMETHINGS and they will all add up. I, personally, have found the swap from babywipes to rags to be fairly easy: I was worried at first because the wipes are SO convenient but once I started cutting up old t-shirts, sheets etc and keep a small stash of rags in my craft space, I never looked back. For the „wet-aspect“ of the wipes, my spray bottles and misters (spritzed on the rag just before I use it) did wonders!

[@dariasikorski7217]

Instead of buying every ink color mix the ink colors you have to create new in between colors. This works well for ink blending and water coloring. Also, instead of buying the full size pads of ink in every color just buy ink cubes and re-inkers for most colors and just buy full size ink pads of your most used colors such as black, brown, red etc. Wish I had known this when I first started card making. You have some great ideas and I do most of them, some are not available in our area. I love to see what kind of cards I can make just using scrap card stock. I have used your ideas for cutting up my papers and used your card sketches so thanks for sharing those. This was a very good informative video.

[@dariasikorski7217]

Also, I use the HP Insta-ink where I pay for a certain number of copies per month and they automatically ship new ink to me and also send envelopes to send the empty cartridges back at no cost to me. The cartridges come in sturdy cardboard boxes which I use to store my craft supplies. Just another printer option.

[@kadderkatch-vl3hh]

Good things to think about. I’ve been watching lots of videos on using scraps. I hate to throw out any cardstock so….Cards, beads, tassels etc etc. good to know things you can try to use them in new projects. Thanks

[@JessCrafts]

I love a good 'using scraps' video or idea list.

[@annaosbournehellard2993]

Terry of KY---Junk mail advertisements,that is really thick, can be die cut for embellishments.

[@susiecramer2524]

Thanks for the work that went into presenting all of these ideas, Jess.

[@noreenmulder5255]

Great ideas and tips, Jess. Thanks so much for sharing. I wish South Africa had more recycled areas close to where I live. 🦋🤗💙

[@KarensBlueRidgeStamping]

Thanks, Jess. I saw a number of good ideas I can put to use immediately. I especially like using up small bits of card stock to pop up parts of my cards without using foam tape or other products to do it. Thanks for sharing!

[@JessCrafts]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@WarwickUCC]

Hi Jess! Thanks so much for thinking about ways to be more sustainable with a hobby we love :) I really appreciate all of your ideas and your attitude

[@dorothyh.asbert5026]

Thanks for all the suggestions!

[@sarinaparhawk]

Brilliant tips.... I always die cut from mats and panels, since it's like getting two for one. Thank you for sharing your ideas!!

[@JessCrafts]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@maryannp8400]

i bought a paper making kit, and i take all the colored cardstock small bits and make new paper. i use all the water to make the paper to water my plants. it not only gives me new paper, but it let's me use the paper I own more freely instead of hording it.

[@nancyallin525]

This is the perfect Earth Day video! Thank you for all the great tips! I strive to reduce, repurpose, and recycle as much as possible, but picked up some new tips🌎❤️

[@JessCrafts]

Glad I was able to give you a few more ideas! Thanks for watching!

[@mirnanieves4781]

Thank you for sharing 🥰

[@anitapowar6018]

Totally agree with your view….will definitely try to …

[@yelena86]

👍✌️🙏❤️✨ Thanks for sharing

[@kkrolf2782]

I frequent our Goodwill, Salvation Army, and other thrift, stores for ALL manner of items, for household use as well as crafting needs. It’s truly a t h r i l l when I come across an item I’ve been wanting, or when I get an “AH-HA” moment that turns a mundane or castoff item into a “resource”.

[@deejohnston3666]

I just bought the make up sponges they have minis also from $tree..yes i save packages too.

[@avakressler4032]

Hello from Allentown, PA. I try and save anything I can reuse again. Friends give me their used cards from their mail and recycle as much as I can. Fancy cut and pass them on to crafters. I like to decorate outside the envelope also . I enjoyed this video.

[@deeshah6250]

Hey Jess thank you so much for this. I must say I follow a lot of these techniques and tips. Like recycled packaging from shoe boxes to chocolate boxes. I even have boxes from new laptops and phones. My friends and family know I reuse so they save them for me. Also another tip I learned from Jennifer Mcguire is think of at least 5 ways to use the product before you buy. It reduces the waste and saves money. Thank you so much for sharing

[@elizabeththomas8657]

Great tips! I love to reuse plastic food packaging - especially those that are like trays to hold supplies or die cuts for my project.

[@darahoffman7969]

Eye opening video. Thanks!!!

[@stitch_angel_63]

I love watching videos on interactive dies and seeing how I can make it without buying the fancy die set I have been successful at severely of them saving resources. I look at packaging to see how can I use it in my crafting made a few shaker cards that way. A paper store I love has annual yard sale I look forward too cause I can buy other crafters supplies that are new to me makes us both happy. Also donated old supplies to a library for their craft corner made us all happy. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.

[@JessCrafts]

These all sound like great ways to be more eco friendly in your crafting!

[@AScrapOfKindness]

Thank you for this thought-provoking video. Unfortunately, as crafters become conscious of waste and more conscientious of their use of supplies, most crafting companies still don't seem to care. Imagine the positive impact if they joined our team.

[@JessCrafts]

Hero Arts has done some great things towards being more environmentally friendly, but I think it can be challenging for small businesses. We should make a point to support those who are making an effort.

[@JoanOrloffDK]

Great tips Jess 🥰 I like your tips and your video ❤️ thanks for sharing and happy crafting Hugs xx

[@nicolalederer9517]

I would also LOVE to see CRAFT COMPANIES to view this as a trend and an opportunity: develop sustainable products which are still fun and beautiful! Do NOT market new products which by definition are a bane on the environment (sorry, Spellbinders and all you foiling fans but this must be the WORST card making trend: A LOT of packaging, the FOIL itself, as well as the carrier sheet are all plastic…) - I am sure, we can do better! At the end of the day, we owe it to our kids and grandkids (and future kids and grandkids…).

[@jenniferreece2218]

Oh, I want to go to your Thrift Stores! I would love to find thrifted LF stamps!! Thank you for the thrifty craft store list!! To avoid buying all of the new things, I create wish lists and revisit them 3-4 weeks later to see if I am still interested. Some hang out on the wish list until they are discontinued so I obviously could live without them. I save all of my packaging "bags" so if I make too many die cuts, I can save them for another project, and reuse strings, papers, etc. Thanks for all the great tips!!

[@franjolavanhellemond4256]

Great tips! Thank you so much 🙏🏻

[@bethbenson1931]

Great ideas Jess! Looked you up because you are on the Organizing summit today. Thanks so much!

[@JessCrafts]

So glad you were able to find me through the summit Beth! I hope you get a chance to watch a few more videos and find some more helpful tutorials!

[@bethbenson1931]

@@JessCrafts I already watched several more of your videos and enjoyed them very much. Will continue watching because you have great ideas! 😊

[@melodylebeau2190]

Thank you 😊

[@cindyvarasdevaldes1373]

Thanks for the info. Very helpful!

[@brendaelainewaddell1682]

Jess, what a great video. I am happy to say I do a lot of these things already but I definitely did pick up some new, great tips. Thanks so much. 😊🇨🇦

[@ladyflimflam]

I recall you have done a video about creative fabrica, but I would like to see that extended to the places you are getting digital stamps.

[@alinatr2693]

->do research about the things you want to buy ->invest a little in longer lasting tools ->make swatch cards ->organize your stuff ->ask others if they have things for you that they would throw away ->make a wishlist and come back to it,every now and then,to make sure you STILL want to buy it

[@bunnylands916]

I save embellishments from store-bought cards that I receive, and fussy cut images from them that I can use for scene-building or in pop-up box cards.

[@jacquelinebloom4339]

Great tips!

[@paulineburns8446]

Ty for your experience 😀 I came across your new teacher sketch card..well I need a lot of cards for Mother’s Day & so I shall replace the star for a heart & a sentiment for teacher (no I don’t have a stamp “Mum” lol & I am on a no spend craft stuff😀🇦🇺🦘🐨

[@MichelleM-kp2gm]

I am not on Facebook, but I hear so many people talk about "Buy Nothing" neighborhood groups. It's a group where you swap or thrift locally and anonymously. You post pictures and descriptions of the items, then someone claims the items and you leave it out at a certain place for the person to pick up.

[@JessCrafts]

Yes those are great too! You can buy used supplies in Facebook groups or on Marketplace in addition to thrift stores.

[@mitzi66]

Great ideas! I've always thought that craft companies should make their packaging craftable! I only have contacts for one company, and that's Lavinia, and they pretty much already do. I really wanted some off white card, couldn't find any, except for the insides of Crafters Companion packaging, die cuts well! What I'm really annoyed with are the die cutting machine companies, and the warping of the plates, when I've see US companies selling longer lasting ones. I am in the UK, it costs a fortune to import, plus airlines etc. Mind you does anything cost the actual cost?! Some pens can be repurposed, dip them in your black pigment ink to fill in gaps in stamping (felt tips), stylus for embossing (ballpoint pen). I saw a load of die cut hearts in my local craft store, from corrugated card! Easy peasy! I save ribbon from packaging, bits of wire. We have really good kraft card inside Weetabix packaging, when cut and embossed, it looks like wood! I've got some old PVA glue, doesn't work very well for cards, but loads of recipes for stencil pastes about. You've got me on a roll now! A lot of clothes materials die cut, cut a circle, make an embossing buddy with some old talc. No one actually needs stamp cleaner for die inks, as you say, just a cloth, no wipes. Thank you, I'm really not well, been laid up for 3 weeks so far after a fall, and you've taken my mind off it ❤

[@jesseb5112]

I hope you feel better!! I love pva glue for cardmaking. I bought a gallon of lineco ph neutral pva glue. In a fine tip bottle, I find it amazing. I am doing triple layered intricate die cut cards for Mother's day for church. I use a tim holtz blending tool , regular foam not domed) to do all the gluing. I wash and reuse the foam.

[@Rosie-mz4bx]

I would like to see a video about different inks I dont know what one does better than the other can you recommend a video or be interested in doing one?

[@laurasutton1551]

I don't use wipes of any kind don't get why people do they often leave stuff behind I just rinse my stamps with soap & water & use a rag on other things

[@arashy]

😃🤩

[@bethseward6773]

Limit your buying: I am only buying art supplies and books during even numbered months this year.

[@JessCrafts]

I agree, one of the best and simplest things we can all do.

[@49lucky]

I buy everything used 😅😅😅😅

[@deejohnston3666]

My friend and I TRADE off our crafts, when I miss them I can get them back