Uses for Shredded Paper

Donate Shredded Paper To Animal Shelters

We have a local pet shelter here that likes the community to donate shredded paper for the animals. They have may uses for the shredded papers. I have a large paper shredder which I use to get rid of junk mail and anything else I don't want to go into the trash whole. When it is full, I have a large trash container in the garage to dump all the shredded paper into. While watching television, I cut up our used newspapers and add to the bag of shredded paper. When I have several full bags, I run them by the shelter while out running errands. Our shelter uses them to fill donated pillow cases for the animals to lay on and also for puppies to play in. This is a great way to recycle your junk mail and newspapers.

By Bobbie G. from Rockwall

Shredded Paper Instead Of Packing Peanuts

To prevent the use of styrofoam peanuts (don't you hate those things flying around when you open a box), I use the paper in my shredder. I place it in a Walmart/plastic bag and use as packing material. You can squish it around about anything to protect from movement. The receiver is grateful as no peanuts or loose shredded paper to deal with, all is contained in bag. Excellent for fragile shipping. I always write "PLEASE RECYCLE" on the outside of the bags so they will do the same or maybe save for later use.

By Tracey from Thomasville, GA

Use Shredded Paper For Cat Litter

I have nine cats, the result of some volunteer work with a trap, neuter/spay/vaccinate, and release program. (I had trouble with the release part!) With the price of cat litter soaring, I decided to try to use my daily Chicago newspaper, which is large, in litter boxes.

Starting by switching one box at a time (I have six!), at first I shredded sheets, which turned out to be a big chore and also resulted in tracked shreds. Then I tried laying down whole sheets and just tearing one page in strips, and that worked very well, with all the cats accepting the change. Although now and then a strip gets out of the box, it is nothing compared to the tracking of commercial litters. I completely change the used paper each day, so it is no smellier than my old boxes.

Since I need enough paper to avoid puddling underneath each newspaper section and strips, I bulk it up with all my other paper and light cardboard that I would recycle if I weren't reusing it. This uses up all my junk mail, including catalogs. Along with saving money, I have saved myself a lot of hauling of heavy litter. I still have to haul the used paper, now as garbage, but the bags are much lighter than those with litter.

By Barbara from Burlington, WI

Making Curlicues from Shredded Paper

To make curlicues out of shredded paper for Christmas presents; you take regular shredded paper and wrap it around a knitting needle, or larger bamboo skewer, (did you know that bamboo is the only really waterproof wood) and spritz it lightly with a mister bottle, then place it in a warm place, or oven, to dry; this is another way to curl yarn for dolls hair.

Source: This has been taught by crafters for years, the technique can be used on almost any paper or yarn.

By Mary from Atascadero, CA

Shredded Paper for Gift Baskets

When I make a gift basket, I use the shredded paper from my shredder for filler. Sometimes I shred some colored paper, a comic strip, or some left over gift wrap and use it on top of the plain shredded paper for a fancier basket.

By Linda