Whether you have recently moved house, purchased a new appliance, or just received your latest online orders, cardboard boxes can quickly pile up. Before simply throwing it in the recycle bin, with a little bit of creativity, it can find new life in your home and garden. From gardening solutions to clever organisation hacks, cardboard is a versatile material that’s eco-friendly and easy to repurpose. Here are some fun and sustainable ways to recycle your cardboard.

At Botany, we are committed to sustainability, which is why we recycle all of our cardboard. Whenever possible, we upcycle it as packaging fill to reduce waste. Any cardboard that we can’t reuse is responsibly sent for proper recycling, ensuring minimal environmental impact.

Block Stubborn Weeds

Cardboard can be a fantastic tool in your garden, especially if you’re battling stubborn weeds. By laying large pieces of cardboard over existing soil and weeds, you block sunlight, effectively preventing weeds from growing. Over time, the cardboard breaks down, enriching the soil with organic matter while giving your plants the opportunity to thrive.

Creating Compost Mulch

Another excellent use of cardboard in gardening is creating mulch. By shredding cardboard and mixing it with other organic materials, you can craft a nutrient-rich compost. This mixture helps retain moisture in the soil and promotes the growth of earthworms, which are essential for a healthy garden ecosystem.

Eco-Friendly Pot Planters

If you’re into planting herbs or small flowers, cardboard can be transformed into biodegradable pot planters. These make a perfect eco-friendly alternative to plastic pots. Simply take wet cardboard, fold and shape it around a can or plastic bottle and let dry. Once dry fill them with soil, and plant your seeds. When it’s time to transfer your plants to the garden, you can plant the entire pot – the cardboard will decompose naturally, adding nutrients to the soil as it breaks down.

Drawer Dividers

On the home front, cardboard is great for keeping your drawers neat and organized. Larger pieces can be cut into strips to create custom drawer dividers. Whether it’s for your kitchen utensils, office supplies, or clothing, these simple dividers will help keep everything in its place, all while reducing waste.

Recycled Paper

Turning cardboard into recycled paper is a simple and eco-friendly way to repurpose old materials. By breaking down the cardboard into pulp, blending it with water, and spreading it out to dry, you can create new sheets of paper. This process not only reduces waste but also gives you an opportunity to create unique, handmade paper that’s perfect for crafts, note cards, or even wrapping paper. Plus, it’s a great way to teach sustainability and creativity at home!

Recycling cardboard doesn’t have to be boring – from the garden to your home, there are countless ways to breathe new life into this everyday material. Whether you’re preventing weeds, creating compost, organising your space, or making biodegradable planters, these eco-friendly solutions are both practical and creative. Start saving your cardboard today and discover all the ways you can turn it into something useful!