How can I reuse or recycle tea bag boxes?
We’ve had an email from Lizzy asking about teabag boxes:
They’re cardboard so I can put them in my green bin but can anyone suggest any reuses for them?
I imagine they’d be good for any general dry storage – as drawer dividers for little things, for recipe cards in the kitchen, or the bigger boxes for keeping packets – of sauces or seeds – organised and upright.
Aside from that, I bet creative kids could use the boxes in a number of ways – an already constructed building block.
Any other suggestions?
(Photo from Lizzy, thanks Lizzy!)
I remember getting a lovely postcard from a german friend and it wasn’t, it was the side of a packet of tea. Very pretty one.
I put the boxes in the compost or use them for shopping lists or with kids projects for houses.
I get yorkshire tea ones, and they’re so pretty I never really want to throw them away – I think the postcard idea is lovely by the way- I’ve been keeping cd-roms in them… and would love to hear of more uses =D
Tea boxes are the right weight of cardboard to make a nice stiffening material inside envelopes–for mailing photos or other non-bendables.
How about crafting. They would make great great gift boxes. Decopouge with pretty papper to make sturdier and you can pack small gifts into them. Maybe use paper to fit the occasion, such as birthday, Mothers Day, St. Patricks, etc. I have used them and added candies to give to my co-workers. Just the right size for a rememberance or thank you box of candies.
or wrap it empty and and tie a ribbon around it. Add this poem and give to someone special.
This is a very special gift
That you can never see
The reason it’s so special is
It’s just for you from me.
Whenever you are lonely
Or are ever feeling blue
You only have to hold this gift
And know I’m hugging you.
You never can unwrap it
Please leave the ribbon tied
Just hold the box close to your heart
It’s filled with love inside.
I recived one of these from my granddaughter for Christmas when she was 5. She is now 14 and it still sits on my dresser. She still comment about how surprised she is I kept it.
This web site has a cute frog made with small boxes. If you have young children or grandchildren they would love helping qith this project.
http://kidscraftweekly.com/frog_issue.html
Hope this helps.
Your could just put them in your recycle bin. Alternatively, why don’t you jazz them up and use them as gift boxes or containers for your othe bits and bats?
Use as fragrant herbs box, punch halls around perimeter of the lid.
Store cookies in them.
My favorite two teas are Earl Grey and Constant Comment. In the time slot in between Thanksgiving (Nov.) and Christmas (Dec.) I always have plenty of empty tea boxes, as well as a calendar that is about to expire, and friends I want to visit. So what’s a crafty gal to do? I decorate each of the tea boxes with one of the beautiful calender pages (glue it). Then I put in two new tea bags along with some cookies (I use fig newtons). I also get some pretty teacups from the thrift store and plant LIVE mint inside them and put one of these in each box. Now go see your friends to hand deliver your holiday cards, and bring everyone a “cuppa good cheer”.
i love that suggestion mommacat! thoughtful and resourceful!