How can I reuse or recycle hanging files?

hanging filesOver the last week or so, we’ve had just about a bazillion (ok, about 130) brilliant comments and suggestions from Gulia (thanks Gulia!) and if that wasn’t enough, she’s also sent a clever idea over too for something we haven’t featured yet:

I take hanging file folder and straighten it . Then I glue on it a poster, picture , interesting fabric or a group of photographs.

Finally, I knock two nails into a wall, and hang my creation with plastic edges that stick out.

My last-but-one place of work used to have loads of suspension files, well, hanging about which wouldn’t be used again because they were the wrong size for all our filing cabinets – and I’m sure they’re is far from unique, so this is a great idea to use them up. Sticking in the office environment, you could glue/staple large corner mounts on it and use it as a pin-free noticeboard.

Any other suggestions of things to do with them?

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5 Responses to “How can I reuse or recycle hanging files?”


  1. Vicky says:

    As most hanging files are made of card, why not make home made cards out of them. you could make at least two per hanging file.

  2. Uluska says:

    Spread it, glue pictures or photographs, then hang on a wall by those hooks on the sides.

  3. Olia says:

    They can be used instead of colored paper for crafts, school projects.

  4. Olia says:

    Cut in two, punch halls in each, and use as subject dividers.

  5. Sandra says:

    We have thousands of legal and letter size Smead hanging files and would like to donate them. Or, how to recycle them properly without having to take the plastic hanger part out. Suggestions?



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