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Food products sold in grocery stores are now often packed in Tetra Pak® aseptic containers. Did you know that you can recycle these containers? They also make for a wonderful craft material because they are leak-proof and rigid. With the help of an adult, children will follow these directions to build a bird feeder out of a discarded aseptic package. Through this activity, they will become aware that reusing materials can help reduce waste.

RECYCLED CARDBOARD RECYCLED CARDBOARD RECYCLED CARDBOARD RECYCLED CARDBOARD BIRD BIRD BIRD BIRD FEEDERFEEDERFEEDERFEEDER Craft activity for children ages 5 and upCraft activity for children ages 5 and upCraft activity for children ages 5 and upCraft activity for children ages 5 and up

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recognize a different use for Tetra Pak® aseptic containers reuse recycling bin materials for crafting projects

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InstructionsInstructionsInstructionsInstructions

IntroductionIntroductionIntroductionIntroduction

1. Explain that in order to keep our planet healthy, the quantity of waste we produce must be reduced. Non-recyclable and non-biodegradable packaging accounts for a large portion of our waste; it stays in landfill dumps for ever.

- 1 Tetra Pak® container (milk or juice carton) thoroughly rinsed with water - string, ribbon or wire (knitting wool, hemp twine, shoe-lace, electrical wire, ribbon, etc.)

- ruler - permanent marker - box-cutter (X-Acto®) or scissors - punch

- 1 stick, about 20 cm long (twig, dowel, or pencil) - paintbrushes, acrylic paint and decorating material such as pompons, sparkles, styrofoam stickers,

etc.

- birdfeed

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2. What can be done to reduce the amount of packaging sent to the dump? Instead of buying individually wrapped food items, it is better to buy the same product in economy size and put it into small reusable containers at home. Also, some consumables may be bought unpackaged, or in recyclable or compostable packaging. Packaging material can sometimes first be reused, then recycled. Tetra Pak® containers are made of cardboard covered with plasticized aluminium. This material is excellent for making new objects such as a bird feeder. Though Tetra Pak® containers are recyclables, some similar aluminium covered cardboard containers may not be.

3. Reducing food waste is also crucial to keeping our planet healthy. One way to avoid wasting food is to package it the right way. Tetra Pak® containers are designed to preserve foods by preventing oxygen from getting inside the package. The package and its contents are sterilized at very high temperatures.

MMMManipulationanipulationanipulationanipulation 1. Unfold the top flaps of the container.

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2. Using the ruler and the permanent marker, mark where to cut the cardboard and punch holes, as illustrated in the following pictures.

a. Draw an X on the top side of each flap.

b. On the front and back of the box, draw lines to indicate where to cut out the bird feeder openings. First draw a mark 5 cm from the base. With a ruler, extend this mark across the container.

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c. (continued) Now, draw marks on both sides at 1 cm from each edge and, with the ruler, extend these marks upward on a length of about 10 cm.

d. Below the lines for the openings, draw an X on both sides of the conatiner to show where to install the perch.

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3. With a box-cutter, cut openings in the cardboard along the lines drawn. CAUTION: ADULT SUPERVISION IS REQUIRED.

4. Fold the cut out flaps upwards. Use a dish towel to dry the inside of the container, if required.



5. Punch holes at the X on each face of the container to insert the perch.

6. With the punch, cut holes in the top flaps where the X’s were drawn.


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7. Decorate the box with acrylic paint, pompons, styrofoam shapes, etc. It’s creativity time! Avoid decorating it with paper decorations as these would degrade quickly outside. Wait until the glue and paint are dry before continuing to the next step. Skip this step to save some time, if required.

8. Slide the stick for the perch in the holes punched below the openings.



9. Thread the string or ribbon through both holes punched in the top flaps and knot the ends to hang the bird feeder.

10. Fill the bottom with bird seeds and hang the feeder outside.

SuggestionsSuggestionsSuggestionsSuggestions

- Use other plasticized cardboard containers for building other bird feeders (ex.: milk or juice carton).

- Brainstorm with children to find other crafts to make with packaging material (purses, Chinese lanterns, planters, toys, lunch boxes, baskets, etc.).

- Cut the openings in the containers before the crafting session to reduce the time required for the craft or to perform this craft with a large group.