Keep your worm farm happy
Worms love shredded paper. Add it in small amounts to balance moisture levels and provide a comfy place to munch and wriggle.
Odour control in the bin
Line the bottom of your kitchen bin with a layer of shredded paper to absorb moisture and reduce smells. It’s a simple and chemical-free way to keep things a bit fresher.
Help seedlings get started
Mix a handful of shredded paper with soil to create a fluffy, moisture-holding base for seedling trays. It’s gentle, absorbent and helps young roots feel right at home.
Donate it!
Check in with local pet shelters, schools or community gardens - they often use shredded paper and would love a donation. You’ll declutter and do some good in one go.
Cosy bedding for pets
Small pets like rabbits, mice, and even chooks love shredded paper. It’s soft, absorbent and warm - perfect for nesting and burrowing. Just make sure it’s not glossy or ink-heavy, as that can be harmful.
Packaging pro
Sending a gift or posting something fragile? Shredded paper makes an excellent alternative to bubble wrap. It cushions, fills empty space, and keeps your parcels snug and safe.
Garden mulch
Add shredded paper as mulch around plants to help retain moisture and keep weeds at bay. Top it with a layer of wood chips or straw to stop it from blowing away and to keep things looking neat.
Soak up oil spills
Shredded paper can soak up small oil spills in the garage or under the car. Just scatter it over the patch, wait for it to absorb the liquid, then sweep it up and dispose of it properly.
Help keep produce fresh
A layer of shredded paper in the bottom of a veggie box can help cushion and protect fruit and veg. It’s especially handy if you’re picking from the garden and bringing produce indoors.
Packing up for a move?
Shredded paper is a great space-filler for boxes. It cushions glasses, plates, and knick-knacks, and helps prevent things from shifting around during transit.
Line your compost caddy
Kitchen caddies can get a bit soggy and smelly. Lining the bottom with shredded paper helps absorb liquid from veggie scraps, making it easier to empty - and it’ll go straight into your compost anyway!
Boost potting mix drainage
Mix a handful of shredded paper into potting soil to lighten it up and improve drainage. This is especially handy for container gardens and indoor plants that don’t like soggy roots.
DIY seed starters
Create biodegradable seed pots by packing damp shredded paper into small cupcake trays or toilet rolls. Let them dry and harden slightly, then plant your seeds. When ready, pop the whole thing in the ground - no transplant shock!
Store bulbs over winter
If you dig up bulbs like dahlias or tulips to store during their dormant period, shredded paper makes a great cushioning and moisture-controlling material. It prevents rot while keeping them dry but not drying them out completely.
Blast from the past
- Uses from our original article (just in case you need a reminder)
- Use it as filler in the bottom of home-made gift baskets.
- 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!
- Use it as fire starter in your fireplace or campfire.
- If you’re really feeling crafty, use it to make paper clay.
- Use it to pack away fragile items such as delicate china and Christmas decorations.
Make your own shredded paper clay
You will need:
- Shredded paper
- Flour
- Salt
- A hand blender
- Fill a bowl with paper and hot water (the hot water helps to break down the paper fibres)
- 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
- Blend
- Squeeze out excess water
- Add flour (1 cup of flour to 3 cups of paper pulp) and a teaspoon of salt and mix thoroughly with your hands.
- Test to see if you can mould some of the mixture into a shape – if you can, it’s ready to use.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 2‑3 weeks.
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