Storing laminated resources: dull, but necessary!

[MadnessAbounds]

Over the last two years I've accumulated loads of laminated A4 resources, 30 copies of each, of course, but I'm struggling to "file them" in some sort of order. Very little money available, so I can't get anything in the way of fancy filing systems.

I seem to be the only person who tries to laminate stuff for re-use, so ideas would be so helpful, not just for me, but also to encourage other people to do the same!

Hmm, I have to say I don't laminate that much, apart from 'permanent' displays.

What about a lever arch file with plastic pockets? You'd probably need to store flat to stop it dragging. Or just a box with popper files - that's how I store my board lettering.

I am an almost obsessive laminater of things! I've got a filing cabinet at home but I've also found they fit in those plastic envelope wallet things they sell in packs of 5 in supermarket. Not sure if you would get 30 in but I think 15 would work.

I bundle them together with a large elastic band. Sometimes put a folded sheet of A3 around the outside of the bundle, if that makes sense?

Hole punch and file in lever arch folders?

We have these in our school. Comes in different sizes a5-a3 I think. We use these a lot, for storing laminated games, resources, class first aid kits and as homework packs! They are more than big enough to hold 30+ laminated resources and are very durable!

I have cardboard 'shelf / filing' units - the same size as a normal cardboard box, but with internal divisions - and use them horizontally or vertically to store resources. Within them, I can separate particular resources either by dividers, or in plastic pockets,. or simply with rubber bands, but the whole box system allows me to file them in the order i am likely to need to use them and keeps them separated into reasonable sized chunks.

I'll see if i can find a link to them.

I file all resources in lever arch files and plastis wallets. I was especially pleased to find extra wide file dividers on this years stationery order, though that shows you what sort of person I am!

I like the folders, putonyourdancingshoes, and they might work, but I would really like to know about the boxes, cantkeepawayforever, if you have a moment to post a link.

This is just so silly, and I should be able to solve it, but I put it down to end-of-term brain freeze.

I have stopped laminating and use stiff card instead. Laminating turns a recyclable product (paper) into a non-recyclable one.

Does your school have a green flag? Waste Minimisation and all that.

I only laminate stuff that is either used constantly or is used outdoors or during messy activities. I reckon it's probably more environmentally friendly in the long run than printing endless copies, even on stiff card.