How to Make a Gift Bag

Here is an illustrated step-by-step guide to recycling glossy magazine pages into gift bags.

Materials needed:

• at least 2 pages of regular sized-magazines (such as Vogue, Glamour or Sports Illustrated) or a folded page of Hello.




• a bright-colored scrap paper that is about 7 inches horizontal and 2 inches height.




• found or scrap ribbons (fabric, plastic or organza) or silk flowers about 12" long




• 2 pieces silk ribbon or paper twine about 12 inches long
• scrap packaging board paper
• glue
• cutter or scissors
• cutting board
• ruler
• regular puncher.

1. Glue together the opposing edges of the magazine page. If you are using 2 pages, glue together one edge of each page. Then, glue the opposing edge page about 2 cm.

2. Straighten out by pressing on each end of the glued papers.

3. Fold about 1.5 inched on the open bottom part of the glued papers. Fold the opposite open top part at around 1 inch.

4. Cut a 2 cm diagonal strip closing in on zero as you approach the folded corner line.

5. Cut 2 strips of 1 inch wide packaging board papers about 4-5 inches long.

6. Squeeze glue on one side of the 2 strips of packaging board. Insert one strip at a time inside the folded top page with the glued side on facing the outer fold of the magazine to serve as reinforcement for handle.

7. Fold inwards the bottom folds with the cut corners to form a box.

8. Measure the diameter of the bottom part of the formed box-shape. Cut the measured size on the scrap packaging board paper for the bottom reinforcement. Squeeze glue one side and insert with glue side facing downward inside and fit bottom to reinforce the gift bag.





9. Place the bright-colored scrap paper accross the middle of the gift bag and cut the extra length to fit crosswise. Fold in two and puch about 2 cm apart starting from the fold to create 2 holes. Fit the ribbon between the holes and tie. Glue in place.


10. Punch top side of the opening with 2 holes each side. Insert and tie paper twine to serve as handle. Place a gift tag if preferred.

And you just created a gift bag. The color choices here are lousy (picked in haste and availability), so, I hope you have a better judgment. Otherwise, you may also order here for embellished gift bags with tags. Only P150 per 7 pieces, inclusive of delivery within Metro Manila. That around $4/7 pieces. For international order, add $5 for shipping for a total of $9. We accept Paypal. Just fill-up order form.

And here is what you'll get:

Wine bags (set of 4 is $9 includes international shipping) is P150 inclusive of Metro Manila delivery (please allow 3-4 days).

Gift Bags (set of 7 is $9 includes international shipping) is P150 inclusive of Metro Manila delivery (please allow 3-4 days).

More details and photos here.

The Importance of Recycling Paper

Immediate as well as senseless disposal of paper is often a problem among individuals, households and organizations as the first clutters space, and the latter cause much environmental degradation.
According to Red Orbit, by recycling paper:

• Disposal problems are reduced.
• Production of recycled paper involves between 28 - 70% less energy consumption.
• Uses less water. Most of the energy used in papermaking is the pulping done to turn wood into paper.
• Fewer pollution to air and water by lessening use of bleach. Oxygen is more often used than chlorine and this reduces the amount of dioxins (by-product of the chlorine bleaching processes) to the environment.
• Paper as a biodegradable material rots when thrown in landfill. It produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas which is 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
• Recycling 1 tonne of paper saves about 30000 liters of water, about 3000 4000 kWh electricity.
  

Wikipedia lists down the following statistics on paper consumption:

• average per capita paper use in the USA in 2001 was 700 pounds (320 kg) while the average per capita paper use worldwide was 110 pounds (50 kg).
• About 95% of business information is still stored on paper.
• Recycling 1 short ton (0.91 t) of paper saves 17 mature trees, 7 thousand US gallons (26 m3) of water, 3 cubic yards (2.3 m3) of landfill space, 2 barrels of oil (84 US gal or 320 l), and 4,100 kilowatt-hours (15 GJ) of electricity.
• 41% of all paper is used in packaging.
• 115 billion sheets of paper are used annually for personal computers. The average daily web user prints 28 pages daily
• Corrugated fiberboard boxes have over 25% recycled fibers but some are 100% recycled fiber.

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About

Eco Design is an e-commerce blog to showcase environmental, recycled, upcycled, re-purposed, arts, crafts, and designs based or originating from the Philippines. The purpose is not only to promote environment consciousness and vigilance but also to inspire ecological sound arts & crafts. We encourage readers to share their comments, opinions, and skills.

A Bit of History
Environmentalism is not new in the Philippines. Our ancestors, prior to the introduction of commercial and MNC products were practical folks who recycled and used natural products. Homes are built with cool kamagong (and other hard woods), bamboo, cogon, nipa and other natural structures, use coconut kitchen utensils, bamboo furniture, and farmed using organic wastes. Hand-woven clothes and fabrics were re-purposed or recycled to create useful everyday items such as hankies, ponda, doormats.

Today, the Philippines continue to be as progressive in the global palette as entrepreneurs both starting and veterans provide international consumers with relevant eco-friendly products. Through this blog, I hope to share more for consumers and eco-vigilantes alike.