How to make a recycling money wallet

83

By cym

Create your own original recycling wallet

This hub shows you step by step how you can make an original wallet from an empty Tetrapak. Follow the steps as shown in the photo manual to create your own recycled purse and impress the people around you with your original product!

You can view the manual step by step by slowly scrolling down the page. If you click on a photo, a bigger version will open in a new window. Or you can view the tutorial as a slideshow, by clicking on the arrow with the link in the first image. You can also start the slideshow directly here by clicking on this link:

>> the slideshow manual

If you have any questions, if you run into difficulties while trying to create your purse or if you would like to share ideas, feel free to leave a comment at the bottom of this page. Happy wallet making!

More information

More information about the Tetra Pak purse is available in my hub about recycled wallets. The article includes tips, tricks, ideas and some background information. The hub also includes a link to the video manual.

>> Recycling Wallets - a hub by cym

A step by step manual

This photo manual will show you step by step how to create your own recycling wallet.
See all 88 photos
This photo manual will show you step by step how to create your own recycling wallet.
Collect an empty milk or juice container. The easiest is to use a brick shaped package.
Collect an empty milk or juice container. The easiest is to use a brick shaped package.
Try to find a package of the model Tetra Brik by the company Tetra Pak. These are the most common packages and the best to create a recycling wallet.
Try to find a package of the model Tetra Brik by the company Tetra Pak. These are the most common packages and the best to create a recycling wallet.
Open the edges on the top of the package.
Open the edges on the top of the package.
The edges are usually glued to the side and should open easily.
The edges are usually glued to the side and should open easily.
Also open the edges on the bottom of the package.
Also open the edges on the bottom of the package.
The edges should open easily.
The edges should open easily.
It doesn't matter if the packages is slightly damaged when you open the corners.
It doesn't matter if the packages is slightly damaged when you open the corners.
If you are using a package of the model Combibloc you will have to cut out the bottom, which is a little more complicated.
If you are using a package of the model Combibloc you will have to cut out the bottom, which is a little more complicated.
Flatten the package into a rectangle size.
Flatten the package into a rectangle size.
The package should be completely flat.
The package should be completely flat.
Use scissors to make the folds more sharp.
Use scissors to make the folds more sharp.
Press the scissors down on the package and then move along the fold while keeping the pressure on the scissors.
Press the scissors down on the package and then move along the fold while keeping the pressure on the scissors.
Repeat on the other side until the package is completely flat.
Repeat on the other side until the package is completely flat.
Cut off the top of the package along the line where it was folded.
Cut off the top of the package along the line where it was folded.
Cut off the bottom of the package.
Cut off the bottom of the package.
The package now looks like this...
The package now looks like this...
Take your chance to clean the package some more inside ;-)
Take your chance to clean the package some more inside ;-)
Now fold the sides inwards. Use the folds that you made before when you flattened the package.
Now fold the sides inwards. Use the folds that you made before when you flattened the package.
Press the package together and flatten it again.
Press the package together and flatten it again.
Use the scissor again to make it really flat.
Use the scissor again to make it really flat.
Press the scissor on the package and move along the side while you keep the scissors pressed down.
Press the scissor on the package and move along the side while you keep the scissors pressed down.
Repeat on the other side, until the package is flat and even.
Repeat on the other side, until the package is flat and even.
Look for the side where the package was glued together. It is the best to use this side as the inside, because it breaks more easily than the other side.
Look for the side where the package was glued together. It is the best to use this side as the inside, because it breaks more easily than the other side.
Have a good look at the texts and images on the package and try to decide which part of the design should go where.
Have a good look at the texts and images on the package and try to decide which part of the design should go where.
Fold the part of the package that should go under the flap of the wallet about two thirds up. Leave about 5 cm on the top.
Fold the part of the package that should go under the flap of the wallet about two thirds up. Leave about 5 cm on the top.
Fold the top part over the bottom part. This will become the flap to close the wallet.
Fold the top part over the bottom part. This will become the flap to close the wallet.
You will now have an idea of what your wallet will look like. You can still make minor changes to the way you folded it.
You will now have an idea of what your wallet will look like. You can still make minor changes to the way you folded it.
It already looks a bit like a wallet now.
It already looks a bit like a wallet now.
Now the part under the flap that will close the wallet needs to be cut off.
Now the part under the flap that will close the wallet needs to be cut off.
The outside part of the flap should stay! Be careful which part you remove!
The outside part of the flap should stay! Be careful which part you remove!
Cut until the line where you folded it on the left side of the flap. The part left of the cut should stay!
Cut until the line where you folded it on the left side of the flap. The part left of the cut should stay!
And cut also until the line where you folded it on the right side of the flap. The part right of the cut should stay!
And cut also until the line where you folded it on the right side of the flap. The part right of the cut should stay!
Cut off the sides and the back but leave the flap on the front!
Cut off the sides and the back but leave the flap on the front!
You should cut off three sides of the package. The front side should remain.
You should cut off three sides of the package. The front side should remain.
Cutting of this part of the package is probably the most complicated part of creating the wallet.
Cutting of this part of the package is probably the most complicated part of creating the wallet.
If you cut off too much... simply take another package and start again.
If you cut off too much... simply take another package and start again.
This is what it should look like after you have successfully cut off the parts behind the flap.
This is what it should look like after you have successfully cut off the parts behind the flap.
You can throw away this part or use it for some other creation.
You can throw away this part or use it for some other creation.
The package has its right shape now.
The package has its right shape now.
Fold the package back into the shape of the wallet.
Fold the package back into the shape of the wallet.
Fold the bottom part back up.
Fold the bottom part back up.
And fold the flap over it. It already looks like a wallet now.
And fold the flap over it. It already looks like a wallet now.
Have a look at your wallet to see if it looks nice on all sides.
Have a look at your wallet to see if it looks nice on all sides.
If you are not happy, unfold it again and cut off details to adjust your design.
If you are not happy, unfold it again and cut off details to adjust your design.
When you are satisfied with the shape, take some colourful adhesive tape to decorate your wallet.
When you are satisfied with the shape, take some colourful adhesive tape to decorate your wallet.
The tape can be put on all the sides of the package.
The tape can be put on all the sides of the package.
The tape is not necessary, but it makes the wallet stronger and last longer. And it also looks good...
The tape is not necessary, but it makes the wallet stronger and last longer. And it also looks good...
Stick the tape how you like. I usually first stick the tape on one side, then cut it off
Stick the tape how you like. I usually first stick the tape on one side, then cut it off
and then fold it down and stick it around the edge.
and then fold it down and stick it around the edge.
And I prefer to stick the tape all the way along the side.
And I prefer to stick the tape all the way along the side.
You don't need to stick it all the way to the top.
You don't need to stick it all the way to the top.
Sticking the tape around the sides atually is the most work.
Sticking the tape around the sides atually is the most work.
If you want to cover the edges really precisely it will take the most time to put all the tapes.
If you want to cover the edges really precisely it will take the most time to put all the tapes.
I am a perfectionist, so I first make a cut in the corner
I am a perfectionist, so I first make a cut in the corner
and then carefully fold the tape down.
and then carefully fold the tape down.
And repeat on the other side.
And repeat on the other side.
You don't need to stick the tape the same way how I put it. You can find your own design for sticking the tape.
You don't need to stick the tape the same way how I put it. You can find your own design for sticking the tape.
Putting a lot of tape all around the wallet looks good, but you also loose something of the original design.
Putting a lot of tape all around the wallet looks good, but you also loose something of the original design.
Try to decide which part of the original design you would like to keep and where you would like to put the tape.
Try to decide which part of the original design you would like to keep and where you would like to put the tape.
You can also cover the top and bottom of the package.
You can also cover the top and bottom of the package.
Put the tape around the 3 sides of the package.
Put the tape around the 3 sides of the package.
You don't need to cover it behind the flap.
You don't need to cover it behind the flap.
Like I said... I am a perfectionist, so I carefully make a cut to fold one half of the tape to the outside and one half of the tape to the inside of the package.
Like I said... I am a perfectionist, so I carefully make a cut to fold one half of the tape to the outside and one half of the tape to the inside of the package.
If you cover the top of the package you should also cover the bottom otherwise the pockets don't look the same.
If you cover the top of the package you should also cover the bottom otherwise the pockets don't look the same.
The last part of the taping. Put the tape around the bottom of the package.
The last part of the taping. Put the tape around the bottom of the package.
Put the tape all around. The best is to first put it only on the outside.
Put the tape all around. The best is to first put it only on the outside.
Cut if off when you are all around. You can put about 1 cm over the beginning. You will not see this area when the wallet is finished.
Cut if off when you are all around. You can put about 1 cm over the beginning. You will not see this area when the wallet is finished.
In my experience it is the best to first put the tape on the outside and then start pushing it to the inside.
In my experience it is the best to first put the tape on the outside and then start pushing it to the inside.
First push the middle parts on all 4 sides to the insides. Leave the corners.
First push the middle parts on all 4 sides to the insides. Leave the corners.
After the long parts have been folded stuck to the inside, press the edges into the corners.
After the long parts have been folded stuck to the inside, press the edges into the corners.
In this way you will not get any wrinkles in the tape.
In this way you will not get any wrinkles in the tape.
Finally, all the taping is finished.
Finally, all the taping is finished.
Again, you don't need to put so much tape around it, but it will make your wallet last longer.
Again, you don't need to put so much tape around it, but it will make your wallet last longer.
Put the package back into the shape of the wallet.
Put the package back into the shape of the wallet.
It is almost finished now.
It is almost finished now.
Use a small stapler to connect the pockets together. Put one staple on the right side.
Use a small stapler to connect the pockets together. Put one staple on the right side.
And put one staple on the left side.
And put one staple on the left side.
I usually use two staples, because it makes it stronger and it looks better.
I usually use two staples, because it makes it stronger and it looks better.
A very nice way to finsih the wallet is to use self adhesive Velcro, hook and loop tape.
A very nice way to finsih the wallet is to use self adhesive Velcro, hook and loop tape.
Cut off a part that fits to the design of your package. It can be small or big, how you like it.
Cut off a part that fits to the design of your package. It can be small or big, how you like it.
Stick one part on the front pocket of the wallet.
Stick one part on the front pocket of the wallet.
Stick the other part on the inside of the flap.
Stick the other part on the inside of the flap.
Make sure that the Velcro sticks really well before you open and close your wallet.
Make sure that the Velcro sticks really well before you open and close your wallet.
When you become more experienced, you can experiment to make the flap longer, so that you can still close the wallet when there are a lot of coins inside.
When you become more experienced, you can experiment to make the flap longer, so that you can still close the wallet when there are a lot of coins inside.
And that's it. Your wallet is ready.
And that's it. Your wallet is ready.
Now the only thing left you need is money...
Now the only thing left you need is money...
Enjoy your wallet!
Enjoy your wallet!

Comments

alli 2 years ago

Hi, Thanks for the great instructions. They are clear, and easy to follow. You do a great job demonstrating the process through photographs. A very clever, creative and earth-friendly idea. Thank you for sharing your idea and expertise.

A.

cym profile image

cym Hub Author 2 years ago

Hello alli

Thank you for your nice comment. I hope you will enjoy your new wallet. Best, Cym

deborah 2 years ago

Really clear and detailed instructions. Just what I was looking for as a project to do with the kids. I like the design of your wallet, it looks much better than similar ones on other pages, and it's much clearer exactly how to go about it. Excellent.

cym profile image

cym Hub Author 2 years ago

Thanks a lot deborah! I hope you will have a nice wallet making project with the kids. Enjoy!

pocomonito 23 months ago

THANK YOU I THINK THIS IS SO COOL.

cym profile image

cym Hub Author 23 months ago

Hello pocomonito

Thank you so much for your comment!

Rachelle 23 months ago

Great idea with really clear instructions. Thanks!

cym profile image

cym Hub Author 23 months ago

Hello Rachelle

Thank you very much for your comment!

gweena76 profile image

gweena76 22 months ago

I making new ideas come to life. Wow! great job! I will try this at home. I liked how you used more pictures to follow through with the project. If you have anymore ideas I would like to learn more. Cool!

prasetio30 profile image

prasetio30 Level 8 Commenter 22 months ago

Good information. I learn much from this hub. You teach me from step by step about how to make recycling money wallet. It really useful to teach kids ho to recycle useless things become valuable things like in this hub. Thumbs up for you. Vote this up also.

Prasetio

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