Go Zero-Waste with Altenew!

Last Updated: January 25, 2024

Are you an eco-conscious crafter looking to minimize waste and maximize creativity? Altenew's Zero-Waste series products are designed to help you embrace sustainable crafting practices while unleashing your artistic potential. 

In this blog post, we'll shine a spotlight on the current Zero-Waste dies and stencils, showcasing their eco-conscious approach and the endless possibilities they offer. Join us as we explore these trendy and innovative crafting supplies and discover inspiring project ideas to elevate your crafting experience while making a positive impact on the environment.

Two handmade cards made with Altenew Zero Waste Field of Flowers and Essential Sentiments

Zero-Waste Dies: Redefining Eco-Conscious Crafting

What are Zero-Waste Dies? 

Zero-Waste Dies are the ultimate solution for eco-conscious crafters. These ingenious dies are designed to maximize every inch of your die-cut pieces, including the leftover cardstock. No more wasted materials! These are the best dies for card making if you want to make the most of every bit of cardstock.

Altenew Zero-Waste Field of Flowers

How many Zero-Waste products are in the Altenew store?

As of this writing, there are currently three Zero-Waste Dies (Zero-Waste Leaf Pattern Die, Zero-Waste 3D Floral Cover Die, and Zero-Waste Fun Little Flowers Die), one die and stencil set (Zero-Waste Field of Flowers), and a project kit (Craft Your Life Project Kit: Zero-Waste Flowery Pattern).

Altenew plans to release more products in this very popular series. 

Are Zero-Waste Dies the best dies for card making?

Zero-Waste Dies are the best dies for card making for eco-conscious crafters and those looking to minimize material waste in their card making and other paper crafting projects. These dies are designed to maximize the use of cardstock and reduce scraps, making them an excellent choice for environmentally friendly crafting.  

Easy Card Ideas with Zero-Waste Products

The possibilities with our Zero-Waste Dies are truly endless. Here are some project ideas to inspire you to get creative and make the most of these innovative products:

  • Stunning Backgrounds. Use the intricate designs of our Zero-Waste Dies to create stunning backgrounds for your cards, scrapbook layouts, DIY paper crafts, and other paper crafting projects. The detailed floral and leaf patterns will add a touch of elegance to your creations instantly.

Here are a few easy card ideas with stunning backgrounds.

A floral handmade card featuring Altenew Zero Waste Flowery Pattern Set

A friendship-themed handmade card idea made with Altenew Zero Waste Field of Flowers

A handmade card with a floral background made with Altenew Zero-Waste Flowery Pattern

  • Eye-Catching Accents. Cut out smaller elements from the die-cut pieces to use as eye-catching accents on your projects. Whether it's a delicate flower or a whimsical leaf, these accents will take your crafting to the next level.

A "sending hugs" DIY card with flowers and butterflies featuring Altenew Pond Flowers Die Set and Zero-Waste 3D Floral Cover Die

Jennifer McGuire took it up a notch by dry embossing another design on different layers of her die-cuts!

A nature-themed greeting handmade card with flowers, foliage, and ladybugs featuring Altenew Wood Slice and Zero-Waste Fun Little Flowers

Caly mixed and matched various elements and designs from different sets to create this gorgeous scene on her handmade card.

2 floral handmade cards made with Altenew Zero-Waste Field of Flowers Set

2 cards, 1 set! Aga shows how you can create 2 or MORE cards using just one Zero-Waste Set. 

  • You can easily create a bouquet or flower arrangement with the various die-cut pieces from these sets. Here are some sample cards to inspire you.

A sympathy card with a bouquet of flowers made with Altenew Zero Waste Field of Flowers

A dainty handmade card idea with a bouquet of flowers made with Altenew Zero Waste Field of Flowers Bundle

A sweet and simple handmade card with a flower bouquet made with Altenew Zero-Waste Field of Flowers and One-Go Loving Sentiments

  • Make a stunning floral frame to frame your sentiment, focal point, or any other element in your card.

A clean and simple handmade greeting card with the word "hello" framed with little flower die-cuts from Altenew's Zero Waste Sets

Valentine's Day card idea with the word "love you" and some little flowers and leaves die-cuts

  • DIY Stencils. Repurpose the negative pieces from the Zero-Waste dies to create DIY stencils. These stencils can be used with ink, watercolors, markers, embossing paste, or other mediums to add texture and dimension to your projects.

A "smile" DIY card made with Altenew Zero Waste 3D Floral Cover Die and XOXO & More

Therese used another stencil in her background, but you can recreate this card using the negative die-cut as your stencil!

A simple and classy "thinking of you" card with stenciled flowers and foliage from Altenew Zero Waste Field of Flowers Stencil Set

The great thing about our Zero-Waste series? Some come with their own coloring/layering stencils - like the Field of Flowers Set!

  • Various Design Elements. Experiment with different ways to use the die-cut pieces and remnants. Create layered designs, dimensional elements, or unique embellishments to add interest to your crafting projects.

A handmade greeting card made with Altenew Zero-Waste 3D Floral Cover Die, Versatile Greetings Die Set, and Sincere Sentiments Stamp Set

  • Try ink layering for dimension - just like Jennifer did! Die cut from colored cardstock and ink them up for added dimension. Her card also showcases an in-laid die cutting technique.

A DIY Valentine's Day card with the word "love you" and a background of flowers and leaves, made with Altenew Zero-Waste Field of Flowers and Outlined Love You Die

  • Speaking of in-laid die cutting, here’s one with a sparkly twist!

Clean and simple white on white handmade card featuring Altenew Zero Waste 3D Floral Cover Die and XOXO and More Die Set

  • Therese’s white-on-white cards are truly divine! She die cut the flowers and leaves from white cardstock, blended some soft colors in the middle, and voila! We loved that she used the negative die-cut as a background for her other card. Watch the video below to see how she created these beauties.

A thank you card by Jennifer McGuire featuring Altenew Zero Waste 3D Floral Cover Die

  • Have you tried stamping on die-cuts? Here’s a fun trick from Jennifer McGuire! Stamp the background first in light gray ink, add the die-cuts, then stamp again using white pigment ink. This will only stamp on the die-cuts, but because the background panel is on the same spot, the text looks continuous! 
  • Make your own wreath! This is the easiest but most effective way to use every bit of die-cut in these sets.

A simple handmade card with a floral wreath made with Altenew Zero Waste Flowery Pattern Set

  • Add beautiful texture and dimension with your favorite embossing folder or try a little faux dry embossing with the Zero Waste Dies!

A floral handmade card idea with a black dry embossed background made with Altenew Craft Your Life Project Kit Zero-Waste Flowery Pattern

A cool and unique DIY card made with Altenew Zero Waste Flowery Pattern 3D embossing folder and Liquid Marble Stencil

  • Use both negative and positive pieces. When we say “zero waste,” we mean ZERO waste. So put all the scraps and pieces to good use!

Two colorful ombre handmade cards with leafy backgrounds made with Altenew Zero Waste Leaf Pattern Die

A gold and blue masculine card idea featuring Altenew Zero Waste Leaf Pattern Cover Die

A quick and easy handmade thank you card with a leafy background featuring Altenew Zero Waste Leaf Pattern Die

  • Create your own framed DIY home decor! This will be perfect for your own home or as a gift!

DIY framed home decor made with Altenew Zero-Waste Fun Little Flowers and Thin Frame 3D Die Set

  • Color them in any way you want - with inks, colored pencils, alcohol markers, etc.!

Altenew Craft Your Life Zero Waste Flowery Pattern Stamp Set on a sympathy card, colored in with coloring pencils

A simple DIY greeting card on parchment cardstock featuring Altenew Zero Waste Flowery Pattern stencil set and Woodless Coloring Pencils

Embrace Eco-Friendly Crafting

Not only do our Zero-Waste dies help you reduce scraps, but they also empower you to make the most of every bit of cardstock, both positive and negative pieces. Embrace eco-friendly crafting and make the most of your materials with Altenew's Zero-Waste dies – a must-have for environmentally conscious creators!

A unique see-through handmade card made by Jennifer McGuire, featuring Altenew Zero Waste Leaf Pattern Cover Die

Join the Zero-Waste Movement

It's time to join the zero-waste movement and make a positive impact on the planet while indulging in your passion for crafting. 

With Altenew's Zero-Waste series, you can elevate your crafting projects while reducing waste and making a positive impact on the environment. Our Zero-Waste products are designed to maximize every bit of cardstock, allowing you to create stunning backgrounds, eye-catching accents, DIY stencils, and various design elements.

Embrace eco-friendly crafting and join the zero-waste movement with Altenew's innovative products. Let's make a difference, one craft project at a time!

Visit us In the Craft Room for more must-try card making tips and tricks.


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