From Paper Bag to Decoupage Trinket Box: Upcycling Magic Meets Corporate Strategy!

     Let’s talk about trash.  Did you know that only about a third of municipal solid waste can be recycled?  Paper accounts for 28.5% of all garbage.  About 72% of paper is recovered by recycling.  Upcycling used paper reduces the burden on waste management and recycling centers.
     Using post-consumer recycled materials to make packaging is a great first step for companies to take toward sustainability.  The aesthetic design of packaging ultimately determines its outcome for reuse.  I recycle unsightly shopping bags immediately or reuse them just a few times if they’re the right size.  I’m apt to upcycle a lovely box or bag.  Designing attractive packaging materials and encouraging consumers to reuse them are the next steps of corporate stewardship.

     ​This beautiful paper bag was an ideal candidate for some upcycling treatment.  With some acrylic paint, a papier-mâché box, Modge Podge glue and sealer, and some tassel trim, I transformed it into a decoupage trinket box.  

​     Please reach out to me if you’re interested in learning how to incorporate upcycling into your company’s marketing and sustainability strategies.  I will design fun, fast projects that reflect the style of your seasonal collections and enhance your brand’s image.  Ask me how I can help keep your packaging materials out of landfills and enhance consumer engagement with your brand in an innovative way.