Tiffany Threadgould
Recycle It
Tiffany Threadgould is a design junkie who gives scrap materials a second
life. Her business, RePlayGround (
replayground.com), sells recycled goods
and features DIY projects.
Think Outside the Cereal Box
These projects are fortified with
real recycling flavor.
When I walk down the cereal aisle, I see
my childhood. My mouth waters for the
sugary sweet cereals that I once coveted. Growing
up, my mom only allowed me to eat them on very
special occasions. When I was finally on my own and
could eat anything I pleased, I realized I was more
attracted to the colorful box art than the overly
sweet contents.
On recycling nights I find myself eyeing the
brightly colored graphics coming from the recycling
bins, and I usually can’t pass by without filling up
with an armful of these treasures. The mighty cereal
box’s sturdy structure can easily be transformed
into projects packed with a full serving of recycled
fiber.
FOLDER
1. Start with a large cereal box that’s at least 9"
wide. Open up and flatten out the box. Cut the front
and back panels to 14½" tall by 9" wide.
MATERIALS
2. Mark a line 2½" from the bottom of the panels,
then score along the line. You can use a butter knife
or a bent paper clip to make the score lines.
3. Place the panels side by side on a flat surface
with the printed sides facing down. Tape the 2
together along the inside center. Then fold up the
pockets along the score lines. Close the folder
and run a piece of tape along the spine. Leaving it
closed, wrap the tape around to the other side.
Then tape the pockets.
» EMPTY FOOD BOX LIKE A CEREAL BOX
» THIN ELASTIC CORD,
10"
» SCISSORS, RULER, GLUE, AND TAPE
» PEN OR PENCIL
» PAPER SCORING TOOL LIKE A BUTTER KNIFE
OR BENT PAPER CLIP
» SMALL HOLE PUNCH (
1") OR TACK
» PAPER TEMPLATE FROM
CRAFTZINE.COM/
09/RECYCLE (OPTIONAL)
MAGAZINE HOLDER
Mark an angled line around the box using a
marker. The lowest side of the box should be
about 3½" from the bottom. Cut along this line
all the way around the box, then fill it with your
favorite magazines.
POSTCARD
Flatten out a cereal box. Mark a 4"× 6" rectangle
and cut it out. Mark lines on the blank side of the
postcard for the address, and start writing.
