9 nifty uses for shredded paper

Here are 9 creative ways you can reuse the rest:  

1. Use it as filler in the bottom of home-made gift baskets.

2. It can make great bedding for small pets such as gerbils and hamsters, or hens.

3. Mix it with potting mix when potting plants – this will help to retain moisture and make them less heavy to move around. Create a fabulous garden, in containers!

4. Add it to your worm farm – worms love paper!

5. Use it as fire starter in your fireplace or campfire.

6. If you’re really feeling crafty, use it to make paper clay.

7. Use it as a layer of mulch in your garden beds.

8. Use it to pack away fragile items such as delicate china and Christmas decorations.

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Make your own shredded paper clay

You will need:

• Shredded paper
• Flour
• Salt
• A hand blender

1. Fill a bowl with paper and hot water (the hot water helps to break down the paper fibres)
2. Mix the paper and water together, using enough to cover and saturate the paper. Leave for a few hours (or overnight) the paper should be softer and ready for hand blending
3. Blend
4. Squeeze out excess water
5. Add flour (1-cup of flour to 3 cups of paper pulp) and a teaspoon of salt and mix together thoroughly with your hands.
6. Test to see if you can mould some of the mixture into a shape – if you can, it’s ready to use.
7. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 weeks.

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