by Simone Pipek
Furniture is often made out of the most obscure materials. So why not try something new and pair a cool design with a clean conscience? Cardboard is a strong, eco-friendly basis for an individual home. We use it every day, but its lifespan is usually rather short in our houses. If we buy shoes, order books online, or finally treat ourselves to that great new flat screen TV, all those items come in a box. But cardboard shouldn’t be limited to packing material. There are many great products on the market that are surprisingly made of cardboard and give recycling a whole new meaning.
What exactly is cardboard?
Cardboard is the common name for corrugated fiberboard. It is a paper-based material consisting of a fluted corrugated sheet and one or two flat linerboards. Old corrugated containers are an excellent source for recycling. The baled boxes are put in a hydropulper, which is a giant industrial blender filled with warm water for cleaning and processing. The pulp slurry is then used to make new paper and fiber products. If you are crafty and like little projects at home you can make your own paper out of your recycling, just like a recycling mill – only smaller. A very easy to follow description how to do it you can find here.
Cardboard Design is a company based in New Jersey that offers incredible designs for chairs, tables, room dividers, vases, toys and anything else you can think of for your home – all made out of recycled cardboard. You can find their products at Printicon in New York City on 7 West 18th Street (please ask for Vahid Pourkay), or in their online store.
If you and your family like to do jigsaw puzzles, you should certainly check TDC Games, a company that uses recycled cardboard and paper for their puzzles, and the pieces can even be planted in soil after you solved the puzzle, and wild flowers will grow out of it. Furthermore, the board game The Green Game educates you about everything you should know about our planet. It is made of 100% recycled material and painted using soy inks.
Are you looking for an eco-friendly and pretty day bed for your feline friend? Look no further, because this kitty lounge chair is made of cardboard and doesn’t only serve as a scratch pad but also as a conversation starter and focal point due to its beautiful design. Available at Amazon.com
I fell in love with these deer trophies by Cardboard Safari. They are all recycled and certainly 100% Peta-approved, since they are made out of cardboard, so no animal was harmed. They come packed flat and have to be assembled, which is actually fun, too. The company also offers bison, moose and rhino.
Even on your journey to your last resting-place you can ”go cardboard.” A company in Hong Kong offers coffins made of biodegradable material and recycled paper. In a previous article on this site, we discussed green funerals. Click here to read more.
If you acquired a taste for cardboard by now – which I hope you did – get creative! A small selection of furniture for kids made by YOU. Yes, it is possible with these absolutely free downloadable and printable patterns by Swiss-based architect Nicola Enrico Staeubli and his website Fold School. You can choose between a stool, chair and rocker. You don’t need much more than used cardboard, a ruler and a cutter. Another find is Emma Hardy’s book ‘Cardboard – Craft Workshop’. It shows explicitly how to make small furniture, lamp shades, ornaments and more out of cardboard. Available at Barnes &Noble.
During the research for this article I came across British artist Chris Gilmour, who takes everyday items and reproduces them in original size out of cardboard. A few of his art pieces include a Fiat 500, a wheel chair, a piano, dentist’s chair, a microscope and many more. Both beautiful and inspiring. The sky is the limit!
Happy Cardboarding!
What exactly is cardboard?
Cardboard is the common name for corrugated fiberboard. It is a paper-based material consisting of a fluted corrugated sheet and one or two flat linerboards. Old corrugated containers are an excellent source for recycling. The baled boxes are put in a hydropulper, which is a giant industrial blender filled with warm water for cleaning and processing. The pulp slurry is then used to make new paper and fiber products. If you are crafty and like little projects at home you can make your own paper out of your recycling, just like a recycling mill – only smaller. A very easy to follow description how to do it you can find here.
Cardboard Design is a company based in New Jersey that offers incredible designs for chairs, tables, room dividers, vases, toys and anything else you can think of for your home – all made out of recycled cardboard. You can find their products at Printicon in New York City on 7 West 18th Street (please ask for Vahid Pourkay), or in their online store.
If you and your family like to do jigsaw puzzles, you should certainly check TDC Games, a company that uses recycled cardboard and paper for their puzzles, and the pieces can even be planted in soil after you solved the puzzle, and wild flowers will grow out of it. Furthermore, the board game The Green Game educates you about everything you should know about our planet. It is made of 100% recycled material and painted using soy inks.
I fell in love with these deer trophies by Cardboard Safari. They are all recycled and certainly 100% Peta-approved, since they are made out of cardboard, so no animal was harmed. They come packed flat and have to be assembled, which is actually fun, too. The company also offers bison, moose and rhino.
Even on your journey to your last resting-place you can ”go cardboard.” A company in Hong Kong offers coffins made of biodegradable material and recycled paper. In a previous article on this site, we discussed green funerals. Click here to read more.
During the research for this article I came across British artist Chris Gilmour, who takes everyday items and reproduces them in original size out of cardboard. A few of his art pieces include a Fiat 500, a wheel chair, a piano, dentist’s chair, a microscope and many more. Both beautiful and inspiring. The sky is the limit!
Happy Cardboarding!
Images courtesy of ChrisGilmour.com, Amazon.com, and Carboard Design.com.
It is the most right way i guess. A wonderful blog you have here!
Posted by: lodges in utah | November 01, 2011 at 08:57 AM
But cardboard shouldn’t be limited to packing material. There are many great products on the market that are surprisingly made of cardboard and give recycling a whole new meaning.
Posted by: newport coast homes for sale | July 27, 2011 at 10:43 PM
How come i didnt get the idea. Now i know its possible using the material purely.
Posted by: krk realty | March 21, 2011 at 08:36 AM
Cardboard is a strong, eco-friendly basis for an individual home
Posted by: resume | October 28, 2010 at 01:38 PM
A nice concept with a perfect content and images.
Posted by: Project Management Software | October 21, 2010 at 03:06 PM
If you acquired a taste for cardboard by now – which I hope you did – get creative!
Posted by: resume | October 19, 2010 at 02:11 PM
Your home is where you spend most of the time. Have an eco-smart home decor and furnishings can dramatically improve indoor air quality.
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Living room furniture sets are paid more attention as this room is visited by almost every visitor. As it is said that first impression is the last, living room furniture is the impression setter on others mind.
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