The Many Uses of Cardboard Tubes

Cardboard tubes, like the ones used as mailing tubes, are useful items. Obviously, they are ideal for sending large pieces of paper by mail, or in any situation where the paper could be damaged. They are ideal for storing large documents or posters. In situations like trade shows, where you want your materials to look their best, a cardboard tube is the best way to store and move display materials without folding them.

Recycling and Reusing

The modern consumer is increasingly worried about the environmental impact of their actions. Cardboard mailing tubes are, of course, better for the environment than plastic tubes. Cardboard is produced from renewable resources, and fully recyclable. However, recycling cardboard does use large quantities of water. Fortunately, there are other ways to make use of these tubes.

Used tubes, if they are no longer needed for their original purpose, are useful for a huge variety of other purposes. Instead of being discarded, they can be re-purposed in any of a number of ways so they, as well as making life easier, they can save money and resources.

In the Garden

Saplings, and other thin plants, are sometimes damaged by inadvertent action in the garden. A cardboard tube, cut in half along its length, can be placed around the plant to protect it. Likewise, if preparing seedlings, these tubes can be cut into smaller sections and filled with earth. The seedling can then be prepared, and planted later. As this product is biodegradable, the seedling can be planted, tube and all, wherever it is wanted.

In the Office

Obviously, cardboard tubes are useful for storing documents in the office, but that’s not all. They can be cut to length, and then attached to a base, to make a useful desk caddy for pens, pencils, and all those other items that seem to clutter up a desk. Short sections of tube are also ideal for storing the various cables that can mess up a drawer. Looped cables, slipped into short sleeves, made from sections of tubes, won’t get twisted up and mixed together. This also has the advantage that the purpose of the cable can be written on the tube.

Children

If you really want to see how many uses cardboard tubes can have, give some to a child. Children will find so many different ways to play with them. Longer ones can be tent poles, shorter ones act as wheels. The list is endless.

While they are designed for a productive purpose, there really is no end to the ways that they can be reused. Just let your imagination run free.