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They clutter our wallets and desk drawers, and sit in half-empty boxes long after we've moved on to a new job. We hate the clutter, but love how it makes us feel grown-up and important. The fact of the matter is, there's just no escaping business cards. But what to do about all those little pieces of card stock floating around?
Some people use cards they've collected from others as their own, writing in their contact information, and others reuse company cards when they get laid off by cutting out company information and printing in personal contact info
Some designers have come up with inventive organizational ideas, but that doesn't help with the out-of-date business cards problem. Others have come up with green alternatives, like stamping information on leaves or embedding seeds in the paper. But the average person or company has an average business card?and that's what piles up in our offices.
Sure you could recycle them?but why not reuse first? The thing about business cards is they're very portable and they're a perfect size for small notes (they're not that much smaller than the ever-present post-it notes). So NaturallySavvy's vote is for reusing before recycling!
Here are our 5 favorite ways to reuse old business cards.
1.Mark your spot Business cards make excellent bookmarks because they are small enough to carry anywhere and you can write down the page number you left off at just in case it slips out in your bag. If you're a student, stuff a few in your bag for marking pages when you're studying at the library. Plus, let's face it, there's no work involved here?the best kind of upcycling!
2.List it Business cards with a blank side are the perfect size for short shopping or To Do lists. It's also a compact way to keep track of items your friends and family like so that when you need to get a last-minute gift, it can still be personal and thoughtful (no more scented candles or gift certificates).
3.Bagged and tagged When you're reusing gift bags and don't have a card handy, glue together two business cards with the text side facing in, leaving you two blank sides
4.Seating arrangements Business cards are the perfect size for place cards. You can glue two together (as you would with the gift tags) and then set it in a place card holder. If you're setting the cards flat on the table, simply write names on the blank side, and you're done! Or for a miniature version, fold the card in half, write the name on one side and set it at the head of the dinner plate.
5.Color reference When you're planning your wedding and have the colors chosen, head to a hardware store and pick up some paint chips. Then cut out your colors and paste the paint chips onto a business card, making one for yourself, your partner, family, and the bridal party. Ask everyone to tuck the card into their wallets, so it's on hand to check for a color match when they're out and about and happen to see something that is "so perfect for your wedding!" Cara Smusiak writes on behalf of NaturallySavvy.com about how to live a more natural, organic and green lifestyle.
