Y’all. We need to talk. We have to stop with all the plastic. I know it’s hard. I’m right there with you. I’m watching all those fun organizational shows and those plastic bins full of color coded granola bars are so darn cute! Those stackable containers full of pasta? Adorable! But we have to stop. This plastic we are buying today – we will be stuck with it for a hundred years or so. Here’s a quick project that will make your pantry super cute but you’ll also know you are being oh so responsible and teaching your kids to be good stewards of our planet as well. It’s easy! Let’s go…
Step 1:
Jump on your favorite, local social media account (If you have a Buy Nothing Group in your area, that is the best place to start), and ask for sturdy shoe boxes, brown paper (the kind you wrap packages in. Lowe’s carries large, inexpensive rolls of this) and a glue gun with two glue sticks per box. You’ll also need scissors.
Step 2:
Cut the lid off your box.
Step 3:
Use the cardboard from the lid to make strips to reinforce the top edge of your box. These will get handled a lot so it’s a good idea to reinforce the edge. I just cut 2 inch strips and fold them in half and hot glue them to the top edge.
Step 4:
Cut a large piece of brown paper so that each side will be covered and also have 3-4 inches of excess paper that can be folded over into the box. Cut the paper to each of the four corners and fold down and glue the longer sides inside the box.
Step 5:
On the ends, make a diagonal cut as shown in the picture below – from about 2 inches out down to the corner of the box.
Step 6:
Glue the triangle of brown paper to the box on all four sides.
Step 7:
Fold the remaining excess paper over so that all that is left is exactly the width of the box. Use a dot of hot glue to hold it in place.
Step 8:
Fold the paper over the top edge and glue down inside the box. Repeat on the other side and you are done!
Just one last thing! Add a cute label, either hand written or printed, to label your boxes and they are ready to bring order to your pantry, closet, or storage area.
When you are done with them, when they get dirty or torn, you can tear them up and compost them – unlike that plastic that will be here long after you and I.
I can’t wait to see all your beautiful, eco-friendly organizers! Send me pictures and I’ll post them on my social media. We are all on this planet together – let’s make sure we take care of it!
