A year ago we moved across the country, an endeavor that required A LOT of bubble wrap. We kept it and used it recently for a smaller move within the same city, but now we’re done moving for awhile so we’re pondering what to do with our sea of plastic bubbles. Here are five ideas.

Keep it. Even if you aren’t an active eBay seller, bubble wrap comes in handy for shipping anything even semi-fragile or making your own padded envelopes. It’s also great to bring to yard sales and flea markets for wrapping up delicate treasures. Or take it to the grocery store for insulating frozen foods or meats during the car ride home on particularly hot days.

Recycle it. If your curbside recycling doesn’t take bubble wrap, you can check whether you can donate it to your nearest mailbox store for them to reuse.

Get crafty. Make bubble wrap printed art or wrapping paper (see a how-to on daisy yellow). Make curtains or shower curtains. Make bubble wrap “stained glass” windows (these are also probably great for providing insulation).

Insulate your plants. Even popped bubble wrap is useful for protecting your plants from cold and frost. There’s a bubble wrap greenhouse how-to on BBC Gardner’s World, but you could also create a simple tent or cover for plants and bushes during the winter months.

De-stress. Keep some sheets of bubble wrap by your desk at work or in your car. We all know that pop, pop, popping can soothe the soul during times of trouble.

(Image: Sarah Rainwater)