Create a Storage Bin using Woven Recycled Magazines

My kids subscribe to kid's magazines.  However, they don't keep the issues stowed in proper holders, organized and labeled; neat and tidy.  They find this solution difficult to use - they're kids.  While I am glad they read and enjoy their magazines, I prefer the magazines be put away when not in use.  This may be the reason I am always looking for a storage solutions that are functional, easy for kids to maintain, and (preferably) stylish.

Last summer, I discovered a project that meets these requirements and more.  It's a magazine bin made out of woven recycled magazines.   The inspiration for this zero-cost storage solution came to me while shopping for milk crate-style storage bins.  I just hated spending money on more flimsy plastic storage!  I wondered if folded magazines would hold up as well as Duck Tape fashion accessories do.  I tried it and found out that it does, indeed, hold up.  Within an afternoon, I turned a few old kid's magazines and some packing tape into a cute magazine storage bin.  Keep reading to learn how to make one of your own.

Create a Storage Bin Using Woven Recycled Magazines

Materials:

• Three to Four Magazines or Catalogs
• Scissors
• Clear Packing Tape

General How-To:

• Collect colorful magazines
  Note:   This project works with any magazine, catalog, or newspaper insert.  A multi-color bin, made from kid's magazines, is great for kids; an all black and white bin would be cool for someone older.
• Tear out enough pages for the five sides of the bin.
  Note:  If you need multiple magazines, keep them the same type (LEGO and LEGO or Vogue and Vogue).   I used approximately 18 pages per side (9 x 9 squares).  So, I needed a total of 90 pages.

Remove each magazine page at the fold.

• Fold one magazine page in half length-wise and crease. 

First fold:  fold page in half length-wise.

• Open the page and fold half of the first side in to meet the crease.  

Second fold:  meet the center crease.

• Fold the other half in to meet the crease.

Third Fold:  meet center crease.

Note:  You can stop here and skip the fourth fold - if you want more more of each page to show in the finished product.

• If you opt to do the fourth fold, fold both sides in half again to meet the crease.
  Note:  I made the fourth fold.

Fourth fold:  Fold each side in half again.

• Fold in half once more along the original crease.
  Result:  You've created the first slat for your woven bin.  The slats I created from the LEGO magazine measure approximately 10" x 1".   

Final fold: Fold along original crease.

• Repeat these steps for the remaining magazine pages.
  Note:  Get the kids involved - the folding is not difficult, just time consuming.
  Result:  You completed all the slats.  Time to weave. 

Four down.  Only 86 more to go.

• Lay the packing tape on a work surface, sticky-side up, and cut a strip of tape that measures the width of your bin, plus a bit extra.  
  Note:   I cut a piece 12 inches long for a 10" x" 10 cubical bin.

The packing tape is 1" wide.

• Place slats on the tape, leaving one inch of tape at the top.
  Note:  I placed 10 slats vertically on the tape for my bin.
  Note:   To make a smaller bin, just cut the folded magazine slats before you seal with tape.  This technique can be used to create all sorts of items - the sky is the limit.

Extra tape will be folded over the row of slats to secure them.

• Begin weaving the additional slats in an over-under pattern,
  Note:  I was able to fit about 8 slats into the pattern horizontally. 

The beginning of the weave

• Tighten and straighten the slats as you continue weaving.
  Result:  You completed one side of the bin.

Weaving on side one complete.

• Tape the side of the bin completely with the packing tape.
  Note:  This process seals the paper and strengthens the construction.  

All taped up and ready for assembly.

• Repeat these steps for the next four sides.
  Result:  You completed all five sides of the bin.  Time to put it all together.
• Choose one of the bin sides to be the bottom.
• Match the edges of  one side piece and the bottom.  Tape along the edge.
  Note:  Tape both the inside and outside to add strength.  

Match sides and tape together with packing tape.

• Repeat with the other side pieces and the remaining three sides of the bottom piece.
  Note:   Make sure that the text on all sides are facing the same direction when fully assembled. 
• Choose which side will be the outside and which will be the inside.  
• Match up the edges of two sides.  Tape along the edge.
  Note:  Tape both the inside and outside to add strength.

Tape the sides together to form the cube.

• Repeat with the other sides.
• Add one last strip of tape along the top edge to add strength.
  Result:  You are done.  Fill up the bin with magazines, catalogs, toys, and other assorted stuff.

Bin created with Ranger Rick magazines

Bin created with LEGO magazines.

Such a great project.  And it cost nothing!  The kids love that we created something ourselves and that it was a 'green' recycling project.  I love that I have somewhere to toss their magazines.   That's definitely a win-win situation.  Try this project with magazines you have hanging around your house!