Find out how to make your craft projects better for the Earth with this fantastic list of eco-friendly craft tips!
Thinking about the Earth and the future of our climate is never a bad thing. Most of us probably recycle and bring reusable shopping bags to the store, it’s just part of our daily life at this point. But have you ever wondered about how craft projects affect the Earth? Are there ways to help make our crafting endeavors more green?
Well, today we’re going to chat about some easy eco-friendly craft tips and ideas to make sure that your craft projects are as eco-friendly as possible! And, as always, if you have any ideas, other than the ones I’ve listed, please share them with us, we can always learn from each other!
Eco-Friendly Craft Tips
- Use recycled and upcycled materials when possible like cardboard, tissue rolls, empty jars, egg cartons etc.
- Don’t limit recycled material use to things you find in the recycle bin, look around your home too for things like magazines, buttons, pins, string, wire, even old sweaters.
- Minimize plastic use whenever possible.
- Look for craft supplies and tools at the thrift store.
- This is basic, but have your kids draw on BOTH sides of the paper.
- Save and reuse material scraps when possible. Keep a scrap bin for fabric scraps or vinyl scraps or ribbon scraps and look through them before buying more materials.
- If you have scraps that you can’t reuse, be sure to recycle the materials. If you can’t recycle the materials/supplies, be sure to dispose of them safely (for example, don’t dump oil based paint down the drain).
- Look for sustainable craft supplies and materials, choose paper and packaging made from recycled content when possible.
- If have a craft project fail or a craft project you don’t want any more, before you throw it out, see if you can reuse any parts!
- Turn old craft supplies into new ones (for example, melt old broken crayons into new fun shapes crayons).
- Use natural materials as craft supplies, but only if you can collect them without disturbing the environment. For example, use sticks and pinecones, but skip taking seed pods from the botanic garden.
- When possible, look for low VOC paints and sealants for your craft projects.
- Minimize use of craft materials that are just not good for the Earth including spray paint, glitter and styrofoam.
- Only purchase craft supplies and tools when you have a project in mind.
- Make sure to turn off/unplug any crafting tools you aren’t using like a cutting machine or sewing maching, for example.
- Instead of buying bins and baskets to organize your craft supplies, use containers you have at home. Put markers in a mug, knitting needles in a pitcher, and paints in a shoe box!
- When crafting with kids, start by giving them a small amount of supplies or materials like paint and glue to start with. You can always give them more but hopefully this will result in less waste.
- Try natural dyes, some of these you can even make yourself!
- Consider other craft supplies you can make yourself like homemade Play-doh.
- Try to shop local, for example, if you can buy yarn made nearby, that’s better for the Earth!
- Sell, donate or trade craft supplies and tools you don’t need anymore instead of throwing them out.
- Use what you have in your stash instead of buying more whenever possible.
If you liked this, you may also like some of my other posts…
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- CheerfulSanta Hat Knitting Pattern - December 6, 2023
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