Uses for old yellow pages directories

Ben84

Our local recycling service doesn't accept them, I don't think anyone does, so the usual solution is to throw it in the landfill bin.

Rather than throw it out like usual I decided to think of useful ways to reuse the paper. A couple of sheets line the compost bucket now to keep it clean, and it can all be put in the compost bin with the peelings. I've also been using some pages to drain fried food, and it came in useful when painting some things. I expect it will be useful for packing breakable items too.

I'm glad I saved it, I've found lots of good uses for the paper. Some of the things I use it for used to be done with newspaper, but that can be recycled so it seems better to use paper I can't recycle if its's available. The yellow pages is also a handy size and the pages tear out easily.

I'm wondering if anyone else reuses their yellow pages and telephone directories?

Violetta_2

We get our's recycled, according to Yell group 99% of local authorities do you can do a search Here , can also use them to make papier mache, fun for kid's.

ailuro2

I always tear them into smaller pieces and put them in the paper bin, always though it was the thickness that was a problem.

Ben84

Thanks for the link Violetta, it seems yellow pages recycling has improved a lot for many areas, which I didn't realise. Unfortunately. it seems we live in one of the areas where they can't be recycled.

savvy

Our council uses the Abitibi Bowater blue paper banks, I'm just wondering if your neighbouring council may have them instead??

Do you or a family member live or work in another district/council where they recycle them?? My OH used to bring his recyling down to me when he visited as his council didn't recycle certain things :rolleyes:

Dustykitten

We can't put them in with the paper as it adds too much yellow paper into the mix (everybody gets a new one in the area the same week) and affects the quality of the of the recycled paper.

We can leave them at our library for recycling although I don't know where they go after that - I'll look at the link

miss_corerupted

you could use them for the yellow woods campagin. Schools have to make a sculputre from yellow pages and they can win prizes etc. It is supported my yellow pages

http://www.yellow-woods.co.uk/

Mrs_Bones

do you know anyone who does patchwork? the papers are great for makeing the paper templates.

kandyfloss

I put mine through my shredder and then add the whole lot mixed in with other compostable stuff to my compost bins.After several months it soon ends up as nice crumbly compost to add to my borders or to spewad on my allotment plot.

andrione1

I have a stack of old ones that my budgies absolutely ADORE. they sit on them and shred them to bits, and they make them very very happy. :rotfl:

it does make for extra housework, with all the confetti produced.

also have been told, but not tried , that they are good for ripping up when angry.:rolleyes:

i am lucky because i could recycle them here if i wanted to and hadn't realized it's not possible everywhere.

A_fiend_for_life

How does your local library get rid of them when the new ones come out?

You could make briquettes out of them for heating - hopefully they don't give a yellow colour to everything though.

Anybody use them for a wood burner?