How can I reuse or recycle old wallpaper?

WallpaperWe had an email to Compost This from Tracy, asking:

Just wondered if old wallpaper is compostable. Just stripped it all off my daughter’s bedroom walls and I am just starting on the rest of the house. I don’t know and wondered if you did. I would assume that it’s not due to the adhesive but thought I would ask you.

I’d agree with the “no, it’s not” verdict because of the synthetic contents of most pastes, dyes used for patterns and/or paints applied to the surface. But what else can be done with it?

When we stripped our living room a few years ago, we had some really big pieces – almost full strips – as well as those annoying scraps that JUST WON’T COME OFF THE WALL but we ended up just bundling it all up and throwing it anyway because we couldn’t think what else could be done with it.

Any suggestions?

(Photo by the wonderfully named Woopidoo2)

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7 Responses to “How can I reuse or recycle old wallpaper?”


  1. awen says:

    I just thought use it like paper mache and make some new items of it like paper bins, storage boxes ect.
    Get a good book about paper mache and get inspired ;)

  2. Anonymous says:

    what about using the larger pieces as wrapping paper or smaller pieces in a scrapbook?

  3. Vicky Carlson says:

    Use as drop cloths for painting your house

  4. louisa says:

    This is more for new paper but anyway…

    I just received a parcel through the post wrapped in (garish) wallpaper. It’s strong than brown paper and seems to be a bit more water-resistant – which is ideal in this weather.

    A great idea for using up ends of rolls.

  5. Gulia says:

    If it has nice pattern you can trace it or photograph it before destroying the wall paper.

  6. lefever kurt says:

    dag ,
    ik wil op de hoogte gehouden worden over het recycleren.
    bedankt



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