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The mail is absolutely full of reusable envelopes. Billing statements, credit card invites, magazine renewals…not to mention the actual envelope each piece of mail comes in!
Next time you’re tempted to throw junk envelopes away, think about different ways you could reuse them before they hit the recycle bin. It’s a really cheap and efficient way to organize!
Here’s a few suggestions to breathe new life into those junk envelopes:
- Carry deposit slips and cash to and from the bank.
- Store grocery money if you use the cash-only system.
- Organize receipts and file according to the type of purchase.
- Divide coupons by categories and expiration dates.
- Use as scrap paper for shopping and to-do lists.
You can help your brand new envelopes last a lot longer by keeping a similar stash of junk envelopes nearby. It’s really just another office supply, except it doesn’t cost a thing!
How do you use junk envelopes?
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Carrie says
Hey I actually reuse our junk mail/billing envelopes! =) I mostly use them for grocery and to do lists, although I sometimes let my 2 year old daughter color on them too! 😉
I’m a newbie to your blog… came across it from your recent giveaway with the ladder blogs (through Gretchen Louise) =) Am really enjoying your posts about the gift tips and guide etc.! Can’t wait to use some of your suggestions this coming year! =) Thanks!
KalynBrooke says
Yay! I like using pretty papers for to-do lists – it helps me stay inspired, but I hate throwing out perfect good writing space, so it’s a hard choice.
So glad to have you here!
Sherry says
I use the junk envelopes as pockets and or pages for scrapbooks and smash books and handmade journals.
Kalyn Brooke says
Great ideas! There’s always a ton of little items I save to put in my scrapbooks. The envelope would be a perfect place to store them!
Mary Mehaffey says
We recycled the unused envelopes as interoffice correspondence envelopes. We sent staff checks, vacation, sick leave and other notices to our staff in these envelopes instead of throwing them away.
Kalyn Brooke says
That’s a great idea!
Roxanna Precht says
I don’t know why I didn’t think of recycling those envelopes before. I throw so many out!
Kim says
I use them as file dividers too. Being wider than your paper they stick out enough for me to see segments.
Kalyn Brooke says
That’s true, they would be perfect for that. 🙂
Rose says
Great ideas! But why not have important mail sent via email (like bills) and other stuff that’s unneeded you can opt-out (google it). If you don’t already have a great way to use these instead of seeking out ideas just stop it from coming to your house. If you are looking for ways to save on buying paper (list pads, sticky notes, etc.) yes, these are great ideas!
Kalyn Brooke says
That’s very true! I do have quite a few bills sent paperless, but need to figure out the opt-out thing too. 🙂
jane says
First off I have tried to eliminate paper mail but still I do get more than enough.
I do a lot of the steps you recommend and have done for years.
But perhaps this tip might help as well.
I have red wiggler worms to compost kitchen waste so when I clean out my file cabinet or have a collection of envelopes and paper that are no longer useful (already used for grocery lists etc) I tear them up fine and feed them to the worms! You can also add them to your compost pile since in addition to green compost you need carbon compost and paper fills the bill. You can includes Kleenex, cardboard as well.
sammy says
If you go camping they are great for kindling instead of searching for dry leaves or such
Kalyn Brooke says
Thanks for sharing that idea!
LaTourStudio says
Thanks for the tips, Kalyn!
I particularly like the nice designs you find inside security envelopes (the ones in which you receive your bills or other confidential documents). I upcycle them them to make cards, notepads covers and pages, there are many different designs that can fit together to make beautiful objects.
Otherwise, as you said, I reuse envelopes to make shopping and to-do lists.
Mary A. says
We need to send permission slips and money to school and always use junk envelopes for this correspondence.
Anna says
I totally use those as scrap paper (glad I am not the only one)! Love your other ideas for upcycling the envelopes!