Photo: lucky.me / Flickr

Keep a bin near your home or office printer to collect paper to reuse and recycle. Flip them over and feed the pages back into the printer to print directions or notes on the opposite side, or use them as scrap paper for phone messages and shopping lists. Used computer paper is also perfect for kids to color on, especially the younger ones who want a new sheet after drawing just a few shapes. And after you’ve used both sides, why not shred it and use the strips to pack your fragile items (like holiday ornaments or gifts for shipping)?

ecologue is a contributor to HGTV Green Home.