Using Washi Tape instead of Packing Tape

 "Washi" is a Japanese word meaning "Paper" - so "washi tape" for those of you who don't know, is simply "paper tape" - this thin, decorative masking tape is popular on Pinterest, and I love it because it comes in so many colors and patterns. It used to be that you could only get it at an asian stationery store. Now that it's "caught on" I can get it at office depot -  there's even Martha Stewart washi tape on Amazon.

So! I must have about 30 rolls of the stuff - in an effort to use it up, I've been taping up my shipping boxes with it instead of using packing tape. Alone, it's not quite strong enough for a large or heavy box, but what I do is I trim the half-page shipping label (I get these inexpensive labels from Amazon) so that it's tall and narrow, and the edge wraps over the side of the box, making a stronger seal at the top and bottom. It's a tuck-top box, so it's already pretty sturdy anyway.

And there you have it: washi tape instead of packing tape - as a bonus, you didn't use any plastic while you were making the packaging, so it's all recycleable or biodegradable.

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