| As just about everyone knows, paper shredders | | | | have a rodent for a pet, your shreds can make a |
| are a great way to protect one's self from the | | | | nice bed for your little critter. Just be sure the ink |
| horrors of identity theft. But there's just one | | | | on the paper is non-toxic since rodents love to |
| problem: what do you do with all that shredded | | | | chew on their bedding. The point is to make the |
| paper? You could go the environmentally friendly | | | | little ones more comfortable, not hurt them. |
| route and recycle the material. (Or you could just | | | | 4. Use it in a gift bag. Let's face it: most |
| toss it in the garbage if that's more convenient.) | | | | commercial wrapping paper and the like is |
| Or you can get creative and re-use the shreds in | | | | expensive. Even gift bag filler - which is essentially |
| a number of different ways, from making | | | | shredded paper - can cost a small fortune. |
| Christmas ornaments to taking care of your pets. | | | | However, if you run some colorful paper through |
| Here are a few ideas.... | | | | your shredder, you'll get the filler you need at little |
| | | | or no cost. You could even use the shreds in |
| 1. Make some Christmas ornaments. If your | | | | Easter baskets. |
| shreds are particularly colorful, why not use them | | | | 5. Use it as packing material. Like gift wrap, |
| for Christmas ornaments? You can purchase clear | | | | packing materials can cost an arm and a leg. If |
| acrylic balls that can be opened up. Just place the | | | | you've got a big move coming up and you have |
| shreds in the ball and close it up. You could also tie | | | | some fragile items that need to be protected, |
| a beautiful ribbon to the ornament for hanging | | | | start saving your shreds. You'll get your packing |
| purposes. | | | | material for free that way and your items will |
| 2. Make homemade kitty litter. Changing a litter | | | | make it to your destination intact. |
| box is never fun but you can have a good time | | | | 6. Start a fire (carefully). Another great use for |
| creating kitty litter from your shredded paper. | | | | shreds is to use it as kindling. You need to get rid |
| The shreds will be easier on your kitty's paws | | | | of the shreds anyway, so why not build a nice |
| than the most of the clay-based, store-bought | | | | cozy fire while doing so? (Just be careful!) The |
| litter (i.e. Jonny Cat) and it will be a lot easier on | | | | things you can do with shredded paper is limited |
| your wallet. Just be sure to introduce your cat | | | | only by your imagination. Why not use your |
| slowly to the new stuff since cats don't | | | | shredder today and see what creative uses you |
| particularly appreciate abrupt changes in certain | | | | can find for your shreds? You'll be protecting |
| areas of their lives. (As any pet owner will tell | | | | yourself against identity theft and getting creative |
| you.) | | | | at the same time. Good luck and happy shredding! |
| 3. Give your hamster or gerbil a new bed. If you | | | | |