How can I reuse or recycle photo albums?

photo albumWe’ve had an email from Tamara asking:

How can I reuse photo albums that hold up to 300 photos? I have a few as I have created photo books instead. I would like to find another use for the photo albums.

If they’re still in good condition, it might be worth giving them to your local charity shop for someone else to use but I went through a period of decorating my photo albums (because they were dull to start with) and I doubt anyone would want them.

Other reuses then. The most obvious one that springs to mind – but may only be good for flip albums, not big multi-pics-on-a-page ones – is for recipes: write the recipe on a bit of card or paper, slip it into the photo slot and the plastic sleeve will protect it from cooking splatters and greasy fingers while you work. A flip album could also be used as an address book.

Any other suggestions?

(On related topics, we’ve already covered unwanted photos and negatives – check those out for lots of creative ideas!)

(Photo by lusi)

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10 Responses to “How can I reuse or recycle photo albums?”


  1. Bellen says:

    If it has sheets that open easily, it could be used to hold household use and care booklets, receipts for items, floorplans, wiring diagrams, etc. for your home.

    You could have a page per room for paint/wallpaper samples, where you bought it, how much you used, etc.

    If you are in a disaster prone area – like Florida with hurricanes – the book could be used to hold your essestial papers like insurance policies, photocopies of credit cards, licenses, etc.

  2. Jay says:

    1.I have a microwave flower press & use an old photo album to store the pressed flowers.
    2.They would be good for keeping those special letters or cards.
    3.If the card pages don’t have that sticky stuff on them & they’re acid free you could use them as a support for an artwork.

  3. Gulia says:

    They can be used to store some letters you want to save from deteriorating. Slide them into the pockets.

  4. Anonymous says:

    I WANT TO GET RID OF CA 40 PHOTO ALBUMS WITH PICTURES SPANNING SOME 45 YEARS OF FAMILY/TRAVELS ETC. BECAUSE I NEED TO CLEAR A LOFT. I DON’T THINK I SHOULD PUT THEM INTO DUSTBINS OR GREEN OR BLUE BOXES, SO WHAT ELSO CAN I DO?
    emttrier@talktalk.net

  5. Gulia says:

    Use index cards to write down some important information and store them in an album.

  6. Victoria says:

    Turn it into portfolio with your graphic work, sketches, etc.

  7. Victoria says:

    Cut out rectangles of old clothing of your child or another family member. They will make nice memories just like a quilt only without sewing.

  8. Sandra says:

    Hi I think the photo albums could be used as a perpetual calendar with a month on each index card and dates on the left hand side s birthd$s and universities plus gift ideas or celebration ideas. The best idea I think is recipe cards. Also consider putting important info abt each person on a card including likes,important events in you relationship with her.

  9. Well, I agree with what you wrote, but not with all of it. Regardless, it’s all beneficial material. Thanks!

  10. Azara says:

    I use a small one for coupons. I can easily store them in separate pages and can easily see what I have a coupon for when shopping.



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