Ethan Clarke
Plastic binders are a common office and school supply used to keep projects together. However, they often end up in landfills as they are challenging to recycle due to their combination of materials. To reduce waste, it is important to properly recycle or repurpose old plastic binders. This can be done through upcycling, donation, or recycling.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Revamp | Use spare wrapping paper or brown paper to cover the binder |
| Paint | Use acrylic paint to paint the binder |
| Add storage | Make inside pockets out of plastic or heavy-duty paper |
| Upcycle | Use as a handbag, planter, scrapbook, rain repellent |
| Donate | Give to local schools, shelters, or other non-profits |
| Recycle | Separate the materials and recycle them, use a binder recycling program |
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What You'll Learn
Revamp the binder with wrapping paper or brown paper
If your plastic binder has gotten a bit raggedy, you can give it a quick revamp with some wrapping paper or brown paper. First, strip the old covering material off the binder. Then, cut your wrapping paper to the right size, ensuring that it extends past the edges of your binder by at least 0.5 to 1 inch. If you're using a paper grocery bag, cut lengthwise down one side, then cut off the bottom and spread the paper flat. This will give you a single sheet of paper to work with.
Place your open binder, outside facing down, on the paper with the longer sides pointing to the left and right. Make sure that the "front" of the paper is facing down on the table. If your binder has a center strip, you may want to cover this with paper or fabric as well. Measure the length and width of the center strip and cut a piece of wrapping material to fit exactly with no overhang. Apply the center strip to the inside of your binder with tape or glue.
If you're using fabric, consider spraying the back of the fabric strip with adhesive and then firmly pressing it in place. Fold the long edges of the wrapping paper around the binder and attach with glue. To cover the inside of your binder, you can use cardstock or fabric. Measure and cut your cardstock or fabric to fit inside the front and back covers, and possibly the spine as well. Remember to leave some of the wrapped-around fabric visible. Spray a little adhesive onto your cardstock or fabric and smooth out any blemishes. Wrap the four edges of the fabric around the cardstock and attach with glue. Take your fabric-wrapped paper and glue each piece to the appropriate side.
If you'd rather not use wrapping paper, you can also paint your binder with acrylic paint, or use duct tape to hold the spine together when it starts to split. If your binder is beyond repair, you can recycle it by breaking it down into its component parts: cardboard, plastic, and metal rings. You can also donate your old binders to a local school, shelter, or nonprofit.
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Turn it into a planter for small herbs and plants
If you're looking for a creative way to reuse old plastic binders, why not turn them into planters for small herbs and plants? Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
First, you'll need to prepare the binder. Remove any plastic covering or final coating to access the cardboard underneath. This step is important as it will allow you to decorate the binder more easily and give it a fresh new look. You can use acrylic paints to add colour and design directly onto the cardboard. Get creative and choose your favourite colours or patterns!
Once the paint is dry, it's time to transform the binder into a planter. Punch a couple of holes in the spine of the binder, which will become the base of your planter. Enclose the open sides with hard or soft plastic, depending on your preference and the desired width of your planter. Make sure the plastic is secure and waterproof to hold soil and moisture.
Due to the size of the binder, herbs and other small plants are the best fit for your new planter. Carefully fill your binder-turned-planter with potting soil, leaving enough space for your plants' roots. You can either plant seeds directly or transplant young seedlings. Just be mindful of the size and eventual growth of the plants you choose.
To care for your new mini herb garden, make sure to water the plants regularly and provide them with sunlight. You can place your planter by a window or in a sunny spot, ensuring the plants receive adequate light for growth. Remember to rotate the planter occasionally so all your herbs get their share of sunshine.
Not only have you found a unique way to upcycle your old plastic binders, but you also have a functional and decorative planter for your home or office. Enjoy watching your herbs grow and don't forget to use them in your favourite recipes!
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Donate to schools, shelters, or other non-profits
If you have old plastic binders that are still in good condition, consider donating them to schools, shelters, or other non-profits. Many schools and non-profits are often in need of supplies and would gladly accept donations. You can check with your local schools or shelters to see if they are accepting donations. Additionally, many supermarkets, office supply stores, and schools have donation bins for old school supplies, which can be a convenient way to donate your binders.
Another option is to reach out to local non-profits in your area to see if they could use the binders. Organisations such as SCARCE accept donations of binders and other office supplies, which they then make available to teachers and non-profit organisations in their community. By donating your old binders, you can help support education and other worthy causes while also ensuring that your binders are reused and do not end up in landfills.
If the binders are still usable but have some minor wear and tear, you can also try revamping them before donating. You can give them a new look by covering them with spare wrapping paper, brown paper, or even fabric to make unique picture albums or memento books. You can also try painting the binders with acrylic paint, adding a white base coat before getting creative with colours and designs.
Before donating, it is important to ensure that the binders are clean and free of any personal information. You can also try to extend the life of the binder by repairing any minor damage. For example, if the spine is starting to split, you can use duct tape to hold it together, choosing a fun colour or pattern. If the binder rings become uneven or have gaps, you can check online tutorials to get them back into working order.
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Recycle the cardboard and plastic separately
If your binder is no longer usable, you can recycle the cardboard and plastic separately. First, check if your curbside recycling program accepts plastic, PVC, and vinyl covers. If not, you will need to take them to a local recycling drop-off location.
To recycle the binder, you must separate the materials. Start by cutting the binder apart with a knife about half an inch from the edge of each panel and on the spine to remove the chipboard panels. This will separate the metal rings, paper chipboard, and vinyl. Recycle the cardboard by placing it in your paper recycling bin. The plastic cover can likely be recycled with other rigid plastics.
If your binder is still usable, consider donating it to a local school, shelter, or nonprofit. You can also try to repair or revamp your binder using spare wrapping paper, brown paper, or paint.
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Use the binder as a rain cover
Plastic binders can be used as rain covers, protecting you from the rain. If you've exhausted all other options for repurposing your old plastic binders or simply have too many, you can use them as a rain cover when dashing from the office to your car.
To use a plastic binder as a rain cover, you can simply hold it over your head or, for a more hands-free option, cut a hole in each side of the binder and thread a string or cord through the holes to create a shoulder strap. This way, you can wear the binder as a poncho and keep your hands free.
If you want to get more creative, you could cut the binder to create a cape-like shape or even attach additional plastic sheets to make a more comprehensive rain cover. You can also punch holes in the binder and use strings or ribbons to create armholes, turning the binder into a raincoat.
While using a binder as a rain cover may not be the most fashionable option, it can certainly be effective in keeping you dry during a sudden downpour. Remember to consider the size and shape of the binder and adjust it to fit your body comfortably.
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Frequently asked questions
You can upcycle your old plastic binders by revamping them with wrapping paper, brown paper, or paint. You can also turn them into storage boxes, handbags, planters, or scrapbooks.
To recycle plastic binders, you need to separate the different materials. The plastic cover, metal rings, and cardboard or plastic liner must be recycled separately. Check with your local recycling program to see if they accept plastic, PVC, and vinyl covers. If not, look for a local recycling drop-off location.
Yes, plastic binders are technically recyclable. However, they are made of multiple materials that need to be separated before recycling. The process of separating and recycling each material is called de-manufacturing.
You can donate old plastic binders to local schools, shelters, or other non-profits that may find them useful. Many supermarkets, office supply stores, and schools have donation bins for old school supplies.
There are more sustainable alternatives to traditional plastic binders, such as binders made from recovered paper and plastic rings. Some specific options include JAM Paper Recycled Kraft 3-Ring Binder, QuickFit View 3-Ring Binder, Office Depot Brand Recycled Binders, and ReBinder Recycled Binders.
