How to Reuse Brown Packing Paper

Newspaper Art on Brown Paper

The paper that companies use to cushion packages is so handy! Here’s how to reuse brown packing paper, whether you need it to look fancy or just functional.

The paper that companies use to cushion packages is so handy! Here's how to reuse brown packing paper, whether you need it to look fancy or just functional.

Recycling paper is good, but reusing it – especially when that reuse means you’re not buying something new – is even better. If you’ve gotten a package recently, get it ready for crafting. Find out how to reuse brown packing paper below!

If you’ve ever ordered anything from Amazon, you have probably encountered the brown packing paper they use to keep your order from being damaged in transit. Don’t toss this paper into the recycle bin! You can reuse it pretty much anywhere that you’d use kraft paper. We use it to wrap gifts, instead of construction paper for painting and coloring on, and before my son got an art table (thanks, grandma!), we used it to turn part of our dining table into a no-mess kid’s art table.

There are basically two ways to flatten out brown packing paper, and which method you choose depends on how fancy you want to get. Both techniques for how to reuse brown packing paper are below!

How to Reuse Brown Packing Paper: 2 Methods

The paper that companies use to cushion packages is so handy! Here's how to reuse brown packing paper, whether you need it to look fancy or just functional.

1. Smooth it out by hand, if it’s just for something like coloring on and your kids won’t mind. I even use this method for wrapping gifts. It gives the final package a rustic, textured look. Just find a large, flat surface, like the kitchen table, and gently smooth it out. If it rips, don’t worry! You can work around the tear or patch it with washi tape.

2. Iron it. If you want your brown packing paper to end up more like fresh, store-bought kraft paper, you can iron it! Just mist with water and press on low heat, like in the video above.

Need some ideas for how to reuse your brown packing paper? Use it to make DIY book covers, as eco-friendly gift wrap, or anywhere else that you’d use store-bought kraft paper.

2 thoughts on “How to Reuse Brown Packing Paper”

  1. Love to see this theme of re-purposing and recycling rather than throwing away. We refinish hardwood floors for the same reason, to help avoid unnecessary waste. Keep up the good work!

  2. I have seen clip about using brown paper on the floor – very effective. Ripped brown paper in approximately similar sizes glued to floor in a way that you may like and polyurethane over it. Probably several coats for strength. Have seen this on-line for a number of different things, floors, walls, etc. use your imagination. By the way, don’t mix glue to thick, needs to soak into paper as well as stick to whatever you’re covering.

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