Translation: Julie Summers

Finding ways to reuse or repurpose things to keep them out of the trash has become more popular in recent years, with people passing unused items on to others or choosing to buy used. Some people are really good at giving new life to old items that no longer serve their purpose, for instance turning worn-out clothes or torn bedding into rags, craft projects, or something else brilliant. Finding ways to reuse means we produce less waste, which is better for our planet. Recycling is mandatory in most places these days, which means less stuff ends up in the landfill and some of our waste is used to make recycled products. As a result, there’s less need to manufacture virgin materials, like plastic. By limiting the production of virgin materials, we reduce pollution from factories and carbon emissions from the production of certain materials.

Some amount of manufacturing will always be necessary, but factories can be made more environmentally friendly, so that byproducts from one factory are utilized by other companies and nothing goes to waste. I recommend reading up on the Resource Park (Auðlindagarðurinn), which is based on this concept; their goal is to prevent natural resources from being wasted.

Waste is another problem that can be partially solved by reusing things, but it depends on the person; what one person considers wasteful may improve another person’s quality of life. Beautiful clothes may be an important way for one person to express their personality, while someone else may think spending money on new clothes is a waste. We need to be aware of the things that make us happy and not bother with things that don’t. For those who might be interested, I recommend checking out Andrými’s homepage, where you’ll find all sorts of information on sustainability, waste, and reusing.

I think it’s appropriate to share instructions for a DIY project that combines reusing and creating. This is a fun and environmentally friendly way to create something new and is also a great craft to do with kids. This is an eco-friendlier recipe for papier-mâché pulp, made with flour instead of wallpaper glue. The mixture has a strange smell when wet that disappears as it dries. You can use this paper pulp to create beautiful works of art as well as practical items like bowls. When the pulp is completely dry, you can paint over it. If stored in an air-tight container in the fridge, the mixture will keep for 2-3 weeks.

DIY Papier-mâché pulp

We recommend using newspapers or magazines that have found their way into your home and giving them new life. I decided to use some recent issues of the Student Paper that I was done reading.

Here’s what you’ll need:

· Torn-up paper

· Hot water

· Flour

· Salt

1. Tear paper into small pieces and place in a bowl. Cover with hot water, making sure all the paper is wet.

2. Let sit overnight. The paper will soften, making it easier to blend into a pulp.

3. Mix well, using your hands or an immersion blender.

4. Squeeze extra water out of the mixture.

5. Add flour and salt (1 part flour to 3 parts paper mixture).

For those of you who are impatient and can’t wait for the paper to soak overnight, I recommend working the mixture well with your hands – squeezing, stirring, and tearing the paper into smaller pieces in the water. It’s actually kind of fun and calming. When the paper has broken down well and the mixture seems a bit like mud, squeeze out the excess water and add the flour and salt. You have to knead the mixture well until it resembles pulp or modeling clay. You can also use an immersion blender or a hand mixer with dough hook attachments (those spiral things).

You can use this pulp to make all sorts of things. For example, you can press it around a bowl or other container to create something with the same shape. I also found lots of fun ideas on Pinterest, like a chandelier, masks, and figurines. Since summer is right around the corner, I decided to make a flowerpot. Hopefully you will enjoy crafting and create a work of art, something practical, or a personal gift.

Repurposing: DIY Papier-Mâché Pulp

DIY Papier-mâché pulp

Here’s what you’ll need: