How can I reuse or recycle seed packets?

Cor, I worked hard in the garden yesterday – I was ill all last week so was a week behind on everything, and gardens don’t tolerate being a week behind at this time of year, especially since I’m already a couple of months behind on some things!

I think though, aside from a few things for successive planting or winter crops, I’ve planted just about everything I want to try this year – a new garden so lots of experimenting — and lots of empty seed packets in my seed box.

Obviously they’re just paper so could go in our recycling bin but I thought it might be interesting to hear if anyone uses them for anything creative – or to help garden organisation/labelling.

Any suggestions?

(CCA photo by LollyKnit)

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9 Responses to “How can I reuse or recycle seed packets?”


  1. Bobbie says:

    Really this is more of an organizational hint, but it does keep the packages out of the landfill for awhile. This year I’ve started a three ring binder with plastic pockets and keep any literature that is associated with my garden in it. I file the tags that come with plants, very handy later when I’ve forgotten the variety, seed packages, care instructions etc. It makes a nice hand reference place and I hope to be able to go back and make notes on the various plants.

  2. Bill says:

    Run them through a paper shredder and throw them in your compost/mulch pile. Thats what we do.

  3. chicgeek says:

    Put them on a stick, and put a clear plastic bottle or something over them, and put it at the end of the garden row. Tiny little green veggies and weeds look remarkably similar when first sprouting! So, row markers. Recycle the plastic later.
    Or, the seed packs would make lovely note cards and greeting cards. Recycle other paper for the cards, paste the cut out front of the cards on it. Or, cut four corner slits to slide the seed pack into, instead of glue.
    Use them as teeny gift bags/wrapping paper for little gifts-like earrings or what not.
    Decoupage a lot of them for the cover of a journal, or a notebook about the garden?
    There’s bound to be lots of arty uses for them.

  4. carol says:

    I use them when I scrap book my garden every year

  5. Olia says:

    Turn them inside out and use as envelope for mail.

  6. Michael Hartman says:

    If you save and/or store seed, you might put the picture and description outward against the inside of a clear jar with year and notes before putting seed in jar. It helps identify it come Spring.

    Keeping with reference notes might help jog your memory. The information may also help you in planting similar items.

    If you don’t need the information, local farmers or growers may sell seed in unfinished paper that may be compostible or at least biodegradeable.

    Good Luck.

  7. anna says:

    I keep them, for the plants that I have growing and may end up getting seeds from later. Usually they have a good reference for use too.

  8. Uluska says:

    Punch halls in them and arrange in a small binder. That way you’ll always have reference as to what plants you planted, etc.

  9. Uluska says:

    Store them until you gather seeds off those plants and keep them again in those envelopes.



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