So, what can I do with 5000+ old business cards?

[Masta Pimp]

They have a different name on them an everything. Printed on both sides, so I can't even let the kids draw on them or anything. Yes, bad marketing decision. Can't change it now, but I have over 5000 defunct business cards hanging around, I don't know what to do with. Should/can I just dump them all in the recycling bin?

 

[madcowbutcher]

= Let the kids color on them, then send them through a paper shredder to make confetti.

= Grind them up in a food processor or blender with water to make a mush. Spread the mush on a screen & let dry to make your own recycled paper/greeting cardstock (depending on how thick you make it).

= Use them for fire starters.

= For future readers, if the cards are blank on one side, use them for as "slips" for free drawings / raffles.

= Make flash cards. Paint with tempura or other paint; let dry. Put ABC's, numbers, times tables (for kids) or (for you) muscles; origins, insertions, actions, innervations; acupressure meridians & points. You could also make a "Concentration" or "Go Fish" game after the paint is dry.

= Use as a "guessing game" at a kids' carnival or similar event. Use clear 2" wide tape to create a block of them. Be sure to count them before you tape the block together, lol!

edit:
= Donate them to an elementary school arts & crafts teacher or mixed-medium artist.

= Grind them up (as in the first two above) and mix into a compost or use for mulch.

= Soak them and use for paper maché or to make a piñata.

 

[jaycenDELO]

Maybe you and the kids would have fun making some homemade gift eforum.xxxs for presents?

http://www.pioneerthinking.com/makingpaper.html

 

[SeanA]

You guys are way more patient than I am. I would cut my losses of time and money, dump them all in the recycle bin, and spend the time studying or marketing that I would have spent repurposing the cards! :grin:

 

[JS14]

You guys are way more patient than I am. I would cut my losses of time and money, dump them all in the recycle bin, and spend the time studying or marketing that I would have spent repurposing the cards! :grin:

lol! that is how i'm feeling at the present, honestly!

seriously, though- as a homeschooling mom, i can really feel those creative impulses trying hard to get out as i read those responses- especially the one about making the paper/cardstock. i recently ran across a thread on another forum about making paper- i may go read that and see if it might be worth trying. would definitely be getting in some 'creative time with the kids' if we do that! i hadn't thought of using the b-cards for that. thanks!

 

[Fistas R]

Once when on vacation, I had a stack of business cards and we were bored. So, I turned my business cards into a deck of cards.

 

[Fork UK]

You can try your hand at making ATCs. Artist Trading Cards. They are a very fun and FAST little way of letting out some creative energy.


http://www.atcsforall.com/

http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk/atcnov03.html

 

[catx]

I'm with Beccy, blue bin them and move on. Old things sitting around just drag you down.