Recycled mat board is a great choice whether you're looking for a unique, eco-friendly art medium, or simply want to use fewer virgin paper products in your life.
What is Mat Board?
Mat board is a paper based product with a number of variations and uses. Most mat board is made entirely out of paper for the overlay and core, although some types of artist mat board can contain a foam core overlaid with paper. The product is thick and stiff; even though it's made out of paper, it won't bend or fold easily, making it ideal for a frame, cutout or edge treatment. It's used to keep the photograph or picture from coming in contact with the glass or wood of a frame and is a way to add color and dimension to your artwork. In addition to these standard uses, mat board of all types can be used in other ways including:
- Inexpensive canvas for artwork
- Scrapbooking supplies
- Protection for charcoal or watercolor artwork
- Stencils or edge protectors for screen printing or print making
- Cut-outs for seasonal home or classroom decorations
About Recycled Mat Board
Mat board comes in many variations, from two-ply paper to foam core. For this reason, many types of mat board are not accepted at some recycling centers, and some types of mat board are not available in recycled format.
What Mat Board Is Recyclable?
If using a product you can recycle is important to you, then make sure you purchase mat board made of 100 percent paper product. If in doubt, attempt to tear the board; foam cores will not tear and many recycling centers will not accept foam core mat board. Unused portions of foam-core mat board can be donated to schools or craft centers to be put to new use.
Types of Recycled Mat Board
Since mat board can contain cotton, fabric, foam, and other substances besides paper, not all mat boards are available made of 100 percent recycled material. Use this list to find the best product for your needs:
- Artboard: This type of board can have a recycled core, but is usually covered in fabric. While fabric is non-recyclable, you can find art board covered in cotton, which is an annually renewable resource.
- Mounting board: The center of a mounting board is available in 100 percent recycled tree fiber content. Look for mounting boards with recycled paper coverings as well.
- Standard mat boards: Standard mat boards are available with both recycled tree fiber middles and recycled paper covers.
- Rag mat boards: Rag mat boards are available with recycled paper covers. Look for rag fillings made of cotton, rather than foam or a non-renewable substance.
Use a mat board made of recycled and renewable materials in the same way you would a standard mat board.
Purchasing Recycled Content Mat Board
Depending on the size of your mat board needs, you may find that frame shops have leftover scraps of mat board available for the truest from of recycling. Many artists are able to create unique paintings using this material for a canvas; if you are unable to recycle your mat board, consider donating it to a local artist or art organization.
If you need new, uncut mat board for a project, consider purchasing from one of these sources:
Mat board is one product that gets used more frequently than most people realize. Look for recycled content products, or find ways to recycle the material you use to avoid wasting it.
