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[00:01]
A
You walk into work on a normal Tuesday, coffee in one hand, laptop bag in the other. Then the power goes out. Phones stop working, the elevators freeze. Nobody knows what's happening yet. You open your desk drawer and inside there's sticky notes, binder clips, rubber bands, a half dead pen, some tape, and a granola bar. You forgot about six months ago. Most people see clutter. A prepared person sees options. Today, we're talking about survival uses for ordinary office supplies.
[00:45]
B
Welcome to Practical prepping. Today is August 10, 2026, and this is episode 565. This is the prepping podcast with no bunkers, no zombies and no alien invasions. Just practical prepping where we teach everyday people how to prepare for life's emergencies, disasters and crises. And we're here to help you get prepared. Hi, I'm Krista.
[01:14]
A
And I'm Mark. And if you'd like the expanded notes for this episode, go to practicalprepping.info 565. Many people spend a third of their day at work.
[01:26]
B
Sure enough, maybe even more.
[01:28]
A
And a lot of workplaces have supplies, but there's no real emergency or prepping culture there.
[01:35]
B
True, true.
[01:36]
A
Now, office supplies are cheap, they're familiar, they're widely available, and they can have many preparedness uses.
[01:44]
B
For example, paper products. You've got printer paper. You've got notebooks, envelopes, folders, cardboard, sticky notes, even paper towels that can be used in a variety of ways. What are some of the possible uses for office paper products?
[02:00]
A
Well, first thing comes to mind is fire starting material.
[02:03]
B
Now, we're not talking arson here, we're
[02:05]
A
not talking in the office, but if you had to outside, you could use it for fire starting material.
[02:11]
B
Okay.
[02:12]
A
Obviously you can use it for leaving notes and communicating with other people. Of course, you can map routes, exits, hazards and meeting points. Now, here's where it gets interesting. You can use paper products as insulation inside clothing or inside shoes in cold conditions.
[02:32]
B
Yeah. What if the heating system goes with that power outage?
[02:35]
A
Exactly.
[02:35]
B
I mean, and you're in like 27 below zero.
[02:38]
A
Exactly. Now, you can roll up paper or cardboard and make makeshift splints. If you layer it together.
[02:47]
B
I see.
[02:48]
A
You can use it as a window covering for privacy.
[02:51]
B
I've seen that done.
[02:52]
A
You can use it for light diffusion over a flashlight or a lamp. As long as it's not a flashlight. That generates a lot of heat.
[03:01]
B
Yeah, for sure.
[03:03]
A
You can use it for recording symptoms, inventory times, radio frequencies or instructions, and for packaging small items for organization.
[03:15]
B
So you can see that office paper becomes a whole Lot more valuable when that electronic communication can fail on you. You know, a notebook and a pen can become your new command center.
[03:26]
A
Yes, it can. Number two, binder clips and paper clips.
[03:31]
B
They're small, they're strong, and they are surprisingly useful.
[03:35]
A
Yeah. Now, one of the things we use them around the house for is clipping chip bags together.
[03:40]
B
Yeah, we can do that. Yeah, like with one of those B finder bulldog clips.
[03:44]
A
But you can also use it for clipping fabric tarps or plastic sheeting. Sure enough, you can use it for holding curtains back, blankets, or cardboard over the windows.
[03:55]
B
Right.
[03:56]
A
You can use it to secure bandages in a pinch. Organizing cords and smaller gear.
[04:02]
B
Yeah, I've seen them where they make a kind of like they loop the cable together and then they clip the.
[04:07]
A
Like a bulldog clip around it, holding maps or papers in windy conditions.
[04:13]
B
Very smart.
[04:14]
A
Creating improvised hooks.
[04:17]
B
Yeah. Because some of them have a loop or an opening in such a way that you could hook something onto it. Sure.
[04:23]
A
You can fix broken zippers temporarily.
[04:26]
B
You sure could.
[04:27]
A
Especially with the pull on the zipper.
[04:30]
B
Yeah.
[04:30]
A
You can join lightweight materials. You can also, with paperclips, straighten those things out and use it for probing or unclogging or hanging or retrieving small items.
[04:42]
B
You know those binder clips, I call them a bulldog clip. They're so underrated because they actually combine a gripping function. They have spring tension, and they're reusable.
[04:52]
A
So they're very versatile, and I keep several here. And one thing I do with one of those now I'm on the security team at church, and we are radioed. My cord goes over my shoulder, and if I'm wearing a vest, sometimes that gets outside the vest and is showing. So I use one of the small bulldog clips that I have, the cable for my radio mic and earphone that I clip to my shirt, and it holds it in place.
[05:23]
B
Smart.
[05:23]
A
There's just all kinds of uses for those things.
[05:25]
B
I like it. You know, here's another one. Good old tape. Office tape, the packing tape, shipping tape, masking tape, label tape, even duct tape if you've got it.
[05:35]
A
These are great for making temporary repairs. You. You can seal cracks around windows or doors.
[05:41]
B
You sure can. People do that at their houses, too.
[05:43]
A
You can secure plastic sheeting over windows or wherever you need it. You can even use it for blister prevention on feet, depending on the skin sensitivity.
[05:55]
B
Oh, okay.
[05:56]
A
You can use it for labeling supplies, creating a pull tab.
[06:00]
B
I've seen that done with duct tape.
[06:02]
A
Marking hazards, quieting rattling objects, reinforcing cardboard or Even improvised waterproofing for paper labels or instructions.
[06:14]
B
Let me tell you another way I've seen it used. I have seen a large message taped out onto like a large door, like a shipping door. And they just made letters with strips of duct tape, like all accounted for or no one left inside or something like that in large lettering. So somebody didn't have to be too awfully close to that. So you can actually create a message,
[06:36]
A
especially if you're having to search that area after some type of a disaster. All accounted for on the door means we don't have to check behind that door. But tape is not just for repair, it's also for containment, for organization and even speed.
[06:54]
B
Absolutely.
[06:55]
A
Number four is rubber bands.
[06:56]
B
You know, they're compact and they're versatile, but you got to be a little careful with rubber bands because they have a tendency to get dry rotted. And after so many months or years
[07:05]
A
in a drawer, especially in heat.
[07:07]
B
Yeah, exactly.
[07:08]
A
Some of the things that you can use rubber bands for is bundling supplies.
[07:13]
B
Sure.
[07:14]
A
Securing rolled up clothing, papers or bags.
[07:18]
B
Okay.
[07:19]
A
You can use it as an improvised grip on slippery handles.
[07:23]
B
Yeah, you can just loop some loops around and it does create a bit of a grip, especially if there's like a wet rainy situation or a floody situation.
[07:33]
A
And you can use it to help keep containers closed. I remember going to work and seeing people take their lunch out of their bag. And there was even these snap top containers and they'd have rubber bands around them to make sure that they did not come open.
[07:50]
B
Well, you know, that's pretty smart. I probably should have done that myself a time or two.
[07:54]
A
You can use it to hold a flashlight to an object.
[07:58]
B
Right.
[07:58]
A
You can, you can create tension for small repairs. In other words, you can use it for compression.
[08:05]
B
Yeah. Like holding two pieces together. If you're trying to tape something or put a screw in.
[08:10]
A
You can mark similar items by wrapping bands around them. Of course, you can keep your gloves together. That's something that I tend to lose one of my gloves and I have to go hunting for it. You can also use it as an improvised phone mount or a note holder. Think about that.
[08:31]
B
How would you use it as a phone mount?
[08:33]
A
Use a gym clip or a couple of gym clips. Put the rubber bands around your telephone, attach the gym clips to that, and then attach it to your air conditioner vent and it would hold it in place.
[08:47]
B
Interesting.
[08:49]
A
A lot of ways you could do that.
[08:50]
B
They're for light duty, you know, temporary fixes. And they're not very structural, but they could solve your problems if you've got some, and it could solve it very quickly right now. We'll get to number five in just a minute. But first, today's cup of coffee comes from Ralph, our very good friend who is a longtime supporter of our podcast. Ralph, we really do appreciate your support. Tell us a little bit more about Ralph.
[09:13]
A
Ralph is an accountant with 30 years experience. He is also a podcaster and a good one, too. He's a very good podcaster and one of his shows that he does is Financially Confident Christian. And if you are not listening, you need to be. Yeah, it's a wealth of advice that he is able to give. There again, that's Financially Confident Christian. And we'll put a link to that in the show notes.
[09:40]
B
You know, Ralph, we do really appreciate, really do, their support. Hey, friends, you too can go to practical prepping.info/support. And you could show us a little bit of love by buying us a few cups of coffee also. Or you might even go with a coffee membership. It's only $5 a month, but it really helps us offset the expenses of our show. So please consider doing that@practicalprepping.info support. Now let's get back to the show.
[10:06]
A
Number five. Pens, pencils, markers and highlighters.
[10:10]
B
You know, writing tools really are more important than they may seem.
[10:13]
A
They really do. They come in very handy for leaving messages, for taking notes, for making signs, for tracking rationing.
[10:22]
B
Okay.
[10:23]
A
For recording medical information. Writing down times and dosages of medications that need to be taken.
[10:31]
B
Sure.
[10:32]
A
You can mark evacuation routes. You can label clean versus dirty water containers.
[10:38]
B
Oh, that's smart.
[10:40]
A
Marking doors, rooms or searched areas like you were mentioning a while ago. You can draw maps with them, writing contact info on skin or tape if necessary.
[10:51]
B
I've seen that done, like in the aftermath or the anticipation of a large disaster storm or something to write down, you know, next of kin, their name and their phone number on the inside of your forearm.
[11:04]
A
Right.
[11:04]
B
I know it sounds a little macabre, but actually it doesn't mean you know that you're going to die, but it may be just a way to be able to help. Remember, if you don't have that piece of paper in your hand but you
[11:14]
A
have something to write with or if you're injured.
[11:17]
B
Yeah.
[11:17]
A
That they can be able to identify you through that.
[11:21]
B
Smart.
[11:22]
A
You can use a pencil as a small dowel. You can use it to splint fingers.
[11:27]
B
Absolutely.
[11:27]
A
Or toes. And in a chaotic situation, clear written communications prevents repeated questions and bad assumptions.
[11:36]
B
Well, that's kind of a smart way to go. Hey, next up would be your trash bags or trash liners. Most offices have a supply closet, and in that closet there's going to be boxes and boxes of trash bags. And they are among the most versatile and useful emergency items you can put your hands on. I mean, possible uses could be you could cut a hole in the center and a couple of holes on the side, and you could have a water resistant poncho. If you're dealing with a rain situation that won't stop, or you just want to kind of keep your clothes covered
[12:06]
A
and protected, or if you're trying to get home on foot, you can use it as a ground cover.
[12:12]
B
Sure.
[12:12]
A
You can make temporary shelter out of it. You can use it for waste containment.
[12:19]
B
Absolutely.
[12:20]
A
Use it as a toilet liner for an emergency sanitation.
[12:23]
B
Yeah. Because you may have a non flushable toilet.
[12:25]
A
Right. So you can use it to keep clothes dry, covering broken windows, separating contaminated items. You can also use it for collecting rainwater in some situations.
[12:39]
B
Okay.
[12:40]
A
And improvised storage, carrying lightweight supplies. Trash bags are not glamorous, but they're one of the highest value, low cost supplies in any building, that's for sure.
[12:53]
B
Also think about this. Next up on the list would be those big copy paper boxes. And large cardboard offices often have some of these boxes with reams of printer paper, things that are shipped, things that are stored. And so the possible uses for some of this cardboard would be to insulate against a cold floor. If the heat's not working and it's a cold floor situation, at least walking on some cardboard might be more comfortable,
[13:19]
A
or sleeping on it.
[13:20]
B
And these larger, heavier duty boxes can be done to organize supplies, to carry items from one spot to another. They can be broken down and separated to make window coverings and sometimes even taken apart to create a temporary privacy screen. And where it's safe, and usually in an outdoor setting, if possible, you can use that as kindling when you're building that fire with that paper product we
[13:44]
A
mentioned before, of course, you can make makeshift signs with it. Certainly you see them on the side of the road with somebody standing there says, hungry, need money?
[13:53]
B
Yeah, anything will help. Yep.
[13:55]
A
You can use it as splint material when you combine it with padding and tape.
[14:01]
B
Yeah. Being a larger piece of cardboard may be great for setting, like a longer bone, an arm or a thigh or something like that.
[14:08]
A
You can use it to protect items from dust or sorting clean and dirty supplies.
[14:14]
B
Yeah. Now cardboard's not going to be very helpful against like water and fire Obviously, but it is excellent for its structure, its organization possibilities, the way that it can insulate, and some visual control as well.
[14:27]
A
Number eight is computers, monitors, phones and electronics.
[14:31]
B
Even when the power's out.
[14:33]
A
Yep. Even when the Internet access is down, some of these devices may still have value. Of course, one, and this is on all of our phones is a flashlight.
[14:44]
B
Yeah. And pretty good one too.
[14:46]
A
Or using the screen is a flashlight.
[14:49]
B
Or. Or lighting. Yeah, just kind of a way to light the way.
[14:52]
A
You can use it for offline documents and maps. Good way to do that. Saved contacts. You can use laptops to charge batteries in your phone. You can use phones as cameras to document damage.
[15:07]
B
Very important.
[15:08]
A
You can create time stamped records.
[15:11]
B
Yeah. Because your camera will automatically download the date and your location. You don't even have to record it yourself. It'll be on your camera's information.
[15:21]
A
And you can use old cables for tying or organizing or for repairs. Use it like cordage. But the most useful emergency feature of a computer may be the information already stored on it, Right?
[15:36]
B
Exactly. Also think about this. This is number nine on our list. And that would be the items that you're going to find in your break room. A lot of these larger offices, well, even small offices often have a kitchen or a break room. And there's a lot of overlooked supplies in there. For example, coffee filters. We've talked about this before, but if you needed to pre filter some chunky water, you can pour it through a coffee filter into a clean container before you do the purification, at least to remove, as you have often said, the chunky stuff. Also things like plastic wrap or aluminum foil, you can cover food containers. You can make a container out of foil if you needed to, as long as you're not microwaving. If you do have power, you can make a makeshift bowl or a little pot or something and actually put it on the indirect on a grill, if you have that capability. Of course there's napkins and paper towels for cleaning if necessary. A lot of times you're also going to find a Keurig machine. There may be some coffee, some tea, some salt, some sugar. Those types of things could be for good morale or just to give you an energy boost. And there's often some utensils that could be used for food prep in your break room. And if your power is still available, you might have a microwave or a stovetop kettle or a coffee maker, something like that. Also think about using a cooler or your insulated lunch bag because it may be able to help keep some of your Food cool if you're in a power outage. And that way you're not going to risk, you know, a foodborne illness if it gets too warm. And there's usually a vending machine. And so, hey, you know, sometimes the boss, if they've got the key, I know I did this a time or two, they can open the vending machine and at least allow you to reach in and get what you want. And so sometimes that break room is often the closest thing an office has to a survival supply cache.
[17:30]
A
Number 10 is cleaning supplies. These are found around most offices. You need careful handling with these and some of the chemicals, but they can be very important, especially when it comes to surface sanitation.
[17:45]
B
Oh, that's smart.
[17:46]
A
Or odor control. Waste area maintenance gloves for hygiene tasks. They're often stored in there with boxes of gloves for the cleaning crew or for you buckets for water carrying or for cleaning.
[18:03]
B
Oh, good one.
[18:04]
A
Spray bottles for controlled application of water or the cleaners, mops and towels for leaks or flooding. But cleaning supplies can prevent a bad situation from becoming a medical condition.
[18:19]
B
Oh, very good. How about the mailroom in any of those shipping supplies? You know, a mailroom could be a treasure trove in the middle of an emergency. For example, you know, we talked about packing tape, and that could be used for some repairs if items are broken, if doorways or windows have some chipped or cracked glass, putting some of that packing tape over those cracks can prevent it from getting worse.
[18:41]
A
And you're likely to find packing tape in the mailroom.
[18:44]
B
Exactly, because they do a lot of
[18:46]
A
shipping out as you will. Bubble wrap.
[18:48]
B
Oh, we call that therapy cloth.
[18:51]
A
Yeah, the popping of it.
[18:52]
B
Pop, pop, pop.
[18:54]
A
But you can use that bubble wrap for insulation or for padding.
[18:58]
B
I suppose you certainly could.
[18:59]
A
If you had to sleep on the floor, you could put down cardboard for thermal insulation. You could put down the bubble wrap. You're going to have to be careful how you get on it because you're going to pop when you get on it.
[19:12]
B
Right.
[19:13]
A
But it would actually offer you some additional insulation and possibly padding. You can find boxes in the mail room for organization and transporting items.
[19:25]
B
You can find those padded envelopes that you can put in, maybe some fragile items or items that need protection, like thumb drives or documents or something like that that need a little extra tlc.
[19:36]
A
And you can use the shipping labels that you can find in there for identifying things that are in boxes.
[19:42]
B
Sure.
[19:43]
A
You can use scales for rationing or measuring food if you had to.
[19:48]
B
Yeah. Okay.
[19:49]
A
You'll often find utility knives Mail room. Those are very handy in survival type situations. You can also find twine or strapping material in there.
[20:01]
B
Yeah, bunches of uses for that.
[20:03]
A
But shipping supplies are designed to protect, label, seal and move things. And these are all survival functions.
[20:12]
B
Well, now this begs the question. Somebody might be listening to us and going, you know, I'm not sure that I've ever even thought about an emergency action plan in my office or my place of work. So if they wanted to build a small office preparedness drawer, what would you suggest to go in it?
[20:28]
A
Well, here's a long list really of things that we could potentially put in there. Flashlight or a headlamp.
[20:35]
B
Okay.
[20:36]
A
Spare batteries or a power bank. Definitely a power bank with the cords that go with it.
[20:41]
B
Right.
[20:41]
A
A small first aid kit inside your file cabinet that you wanted to make, your emergency cabinet. Some N95 mask or some type of similar respirators. If you had to evacuate from a large building, a tall building, and there's smoke in the stairwells, that N95 mask would come in handy.
[21:05]
B
I see.
[21:05]
A
Might put some work gloves in there. Definitely put some trash bags in there. Put a water bottle and some water purification tablets. And then use that coffee filter to pre filter your water if you needed to before you use your purification tablets. I'd put some food bars in there, emergency food, power bars, things like that.
[21:29]
B
Okay.
[21:30]
A
I'd also have a permanent marker and a notebook in there. Something I can make notes with. Maybe a lighter or matches if your office permits. Well, good point, good point. There's some of these things may not be allowed in your office, and one of those might be a small multi tool, but it'd be good to have that in there if you can as well. The phone charging cables to go along with your power bank. Printed emergency contacts.
[22:00]
B
Yeah. Because your phone may not be powered
[22:02]
A
up and may not be operable. You may not have cell service, but you may be able to use the company phone there. It may be operable.
[22:12]
B
Yeah. Just every situation.
[22:14]
A
Just some things to look at there. Maybe a local map.
[22:17]
B
Yeah.
[22:18]
A
Maybe a whistle if there's some type
[22:20]
B
of collapse, maybe earthquake sometimes with those buildings.
[22:24]
A
Exactly. And that whistle would help rescuers get to you.
[22:28]
B
Yeah. It can carry a sound farther than your weakened voice might be able to.
[22:32]
A
A compact radio.
[22:34]
B
Oh, okay.
[22:35]
A
To receive information with. If you're a ham radio operator, maybe you put an extra walkie talkie or handy talkie and they're really not big at all. I mean, they'll fit your computer bag and some of them have really gotten to where they're not expensive at all, right? I would keep hand sanitizer in mine. I would keep a three day supply of my regular medications and I would rotate those every now and then.
[23:02]
B
Because you got to think about this. What if you had to camp out in your workplace for three or four or five days, Right? Think about it.
[23:12]
A
I'd put spare socks in there.
[23:14]
B
Smart.
[23:15]
A
And I would definitely have a lightweight rain poncho in there. So you can build a small office emergency drawer. But improvisation is not about being clever for its own sake. It's about seeing function instead of labels.
[23:31]
B
Like you've just decided here.
[23:33]
A
A binder clips. Not just a binder clip. It's a clamp, a fastener, a hanger, a repair part. And it's an organizer.
[23:41]
B
Yeah, gotta think outside the box. So, friends, are you learning from the podcast? Do you get new ideas for your prepping journey? In other words, are you receiving value from our show? And would you help us out by giving back just a little? You can go to practicalprepping.info support and you'll find several ways you can support our show.
[24:01]
A
And we do appreciate you being here today. We appreciate you taking your time and inviting us into your day. And as Krista always says, stuff happens. Stay prepared and we'll see you next time.

Summary6 min read

Practical Prepping Podcast

Episode 565: Survival Uses for Ordinary Office Supplies

Hosts: Mark & Krista Lawley
Date: August 10, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Mark and Krista Lawley showcase practical, often-overlooked survival uses for everyday office supplies. Steering clear of doomsday scenarios, they offer actionable tips for transforming ordinary workplace items—paperclips, trash bags, binder clips, and more—into tools for emergency preparedness. The episode emphasizes adaptability, resourcefulness, and knowledge as the real essentials for workplace readiness.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Why Focus on Office Supplies? (00:00–01:44)

Context: Many people spend a significant portion of their lives at work, often without access to dedicated emergency supplies.
Opportunity: Office supplies are universally available, inexpensive, and easily adapted for crisis situations.
Quote [Mark, 01:27]:
“Office supplies are cheap, they're familiar, they're widely available, and they can have many preparedness uses.”

1. Paper Products (01:44–03:25)

Uses:
- Fire starting material (outside, not inside office buildings)
- Insulation inside clothing/shoes in cold conditions
- Makeshift splints with layered cardboard/paper
- Window coverings for privacy
- Light diffusion for lamps/flashlights (with low-heat sources)
- Mapping, noting routes, hazard communication
- Recording vital info: symptoms, inventory, radio frequencies, instructions
- Organizing and packaging small items
Quote [Krista, 03:14]:
“A notebook and a pen can become your new command center.”

2. Binder Clips & Paper Clips (03:25–05:23)

Uses:
- Sealing chip bags or food containers
- Clipping fabric, tarps, or plastic sheeting
- Improvised hooks or zipper pulls
- Securing bandages or holding lightweight materials together
- Organizing cords
- Holding sheets or maps in windy conditions
- Straightened paper clips for probing, unclogging, or retrieving small items
Memorable Moment:
Mark explains using a bulldog (binder) clip to fasten his radio mic cable while on security duty at church. (Mark, 04:51)

3. Tape (all types: office, packing, masking, duct) (05:25–06:53)

Uses:
- Temporary repairs to cracks/windows/doors
- Securing plastic sheeting during emergencies
- Preventing blisters (taping over skin)
- Labeling, marking hazards, creating pull-tabs, quieting rattles
- Reinforcing cardboard, waterproofing instructions
- Creating visible large messages for post-disaster communication
Quote [Krista, 06:14]:
“Tape is not just for repair; it's also for containment, for organization, and even speed.”

4. Rubber Bands (06:54–08:50)

Uses:
- Bundling supplies
- Securing rolled items (clothes, bags, papers)
- Improvised grips for slippery handles
- Holding containers closed
- Strapping flashlights to objects
- Compression for small repairs
- Marking items, keeping gloves together, improv phone mount/note holder
Tip [Krista, 08:31]:
“Use a gym clip or a couple of gym clips. Put the rubber bands around your telephone, attach the gym clips to that, and then attach it to your air conditioner vent and it would hold it in place.”

5. Writing Instruments (Pens, Pencils, Markers, Highlighters) (10:05–11:35)

Uses:
- Leaving written notes/messages, tracking rationing and medical info
- Labeling evacuation routes, clean/dirty water
- Marking searched rooms/areas post-disaster
- Contact info on skin/tape in emergencies
- Drawing maps, improvising finger/toe splints (pencil as a dowel)
- Preventing confusion and bad assumptions via clear communication
Quote [Mark, 11:03]:
“It doesn't mean you know that you're going to die, but it may be just a way to help… If you don't have that piece of paper in your hand but you have something to write with or if you're injured, they can identify you through that.”

6. Trash Bags & Trash Liners (11:35–12:53)

Uses:
- Emergency ponchos/raingear
- Ground covers, temporary shelters
- Improvised toilets or waste containment
- Keeping clothes dry, covering broken windows, separating contaminated items
- Collecting rainwater, carrying supplies, improvised stretcher
Quote [Mark, 12:39]:
“Trash bags are not glamorous, but they're one of the highest value, low cost supplies in any building, that's for sure.”

7. Copy Paper Boxes & Cardboard (12:53–14:26)

Uses:
- Floor/sleeping insulation, especially on cold floors
- Organizing and transporting items
- Temporary privacy screens or window coverings
- Sign making; improvising splint material (with tape/padding)
- Dust/protection dividers; sorting clean/dirty items
Memorable Moment [Krista, 13:20]:
“These larger, heavier duty boxes can be done to organize supplies, to carry items from one spot to another… Even create a temporary privacy screen.”

8. Electronics (Computers, Monitors, Phones) (14:26–15:36)

Uses (Even when powered off or without internet):
- Built-in flashlight on phones
- Using screens as lighting
- Accessing saved offline documents/maps
- Using laptops to charge other devices
- Taking/documenting photos of damage with timestamp
- Extracting cables as emergency cordage
Quote [Mark, 15:21]:
“The most useful emergency feature of a computer may be the information already stored on it.”

9. Break Room & Kitchen Supplies (15:36–17:30)

Common Items/Uses:
- Coffee filters: pre-filtering dirty water
- Foil/plastic wrap: covering food, making impromptu containers, indirect cooking
- Napkins, paper towels for cleaning
- Snacks for morale and energy
- Utensils for prep, insulated lunch bags/coolers for temporary food storage
- Access to vending machine supplies
- Sometimes the break room doubles as an emergency supply cache

10. Cleaning Supplies (17:30–18:18)

Uses:
- Surface sanitation (preventing further health risks)
- Odor control
- Gloves for hygiene
- Buckets for water, spray bottles for controlled cleaning
- Mops/towels for cleanup of leaks or spills
Quote [Krista, 18:04]:
“Cleaning supplies can prevent a bad situation from becoming a medical condition.”

11. The Mailroom & Shipping Supplies (18:18–20:02)

Uses:
- Packing tape for repairs
- Bubble wrap as insulation/padding or floor cover
- Shipping boxes for organization
- Padded envelopes for delicate items
- Shipping labels for marking contents
- Scales for rationing/measuring food
- Utility knives, twine/strapping for cordage and tool use
Memorable Moment: Krista refers to bubble wrap as “therapy cloth” for its stress-relieving properties! (18:48)

Building an Office Preparedness Drawer (20:11–23:30)

Mark and Krista’s essential list:
- Flashlight/headlamp & spare batteries/power bank
- Small first aid kit
- N95 mask/respirator
- Work gloves, trash bags
- Water bottle + purification tablets & coffee filters (for pre-filtering)
- Non-perishable food bars
- Permanent marker, notebook
- Lighter/matches (if allowed), small multitool (if allowed)
- Charging cables, printed emergency contacts
- Local map, whistle, compact radio/ham radio
- Hand sanitizer, 3-day supply of personal medications (rotated as needed)
- Spare socks, lightweight rain poncho
Quote [Mark, 23:30]:
“Improvisation is not about being clever for its own sake. It’s about seeing function instead of labels.”
Quote [Krista, 23:41]:
“A binder clip’s not just a binder clip. It’s a clamp, a fastener, a hanger, a repair part, and it’s an organizer.”

Notable Quotes

“Most people see clutter. A prepared person sees options.” (Mark, 00:41)
“Improvisation is not about being clever for its own sake. It’s about seeing function instead of labels.” (Mark, 23:30)
“Stuff happens. Stay prepared.” (Krista, 24:01)

Episode Takeaways

Adaptability is more important than gear: Know how to use what you already have handy.
Think creatively: Even mundane objects can have “hidden” life-saving uses.
Personalize your preparedness drawer: Start small, make it your own, and rotate supplies as needed.
Office is a resource: Recognize the hidden potential of your workplace environment for emergency response.
Communication and clear signage can be as valuable as physical supplies during chaos.

For More

For expanded notes and resources from this episode, visit:
practicalprepping.info/565

Stuff happens. Stay prepared. – Mark & Krista Lawley

Loading summary

Transcript185 lines

[00:01]
A
You walk into work on a normal Tuesday, coffee in one hand, laptop bag in the other. Then the power goes out. Phones stop working, the elevators freeze. Nobody knows what's happening yet. You open your desk drawer and inside there's sticky notes, binder clips, rubber bands, a half dead pen, some tape, and a granola bar. You forgot about six months ago. Most people see clutter. A prepared person sees options. Today, we're talking about survival uses for ordinary office supplies.
[00:45]
B
Welcome to Practical prepping. Today is August 10, 2026, and this is episode 565. This is the prepping podcast with no bunkers, no zombies and no alien invasions. Just practical prepping where we teach everyday people how to prepare for life's emergencies, disasters and crises. And we're here to help you get prepared. Hi, I'm Krista.
[01:14]
A
And I'm Mark. And if you'd like the expanded notes for this episode, go to practicalprepping.info 565. Many people spend a third of their day at work.
[01:26]
B
Sure enough, maybe even more.
[01:28]
A
And a lot of workplaces have supplies, but there's no real emergency or prepping culture there.
[01:35]
B
True, true.
[01:36]
A
Now, office supplies are cheap, they're familiar, they're widely available, and they can have many preparedness uses.
[01:44]
B
For example, paper products. You've got printer paper. You've got notebooks, envelopes, folders, cardboard, sticky notes, even paper towels that can be used in a variety of ways. What are some of the possible uses for office paper products?
[02:00]
A
Well, first thing comes to mind is fire starting material.
[02:03]
B
Now, we're not talking arson here, we're
[02:05]
A
not talking in the office, but if you had to outside, you could use it for fire starting material.
[02:11]
B
Okay.
[02:12]
A
Obviously you can use it for leaving notes and communicating with other people. Of course, you can map routes, exits, hazards and meeting points. Now, here's where it gets interesting. You can use paper products as insulation inside clothing or inside shoes in cold conditions.
[02:32]
B
Yeah. What if the heating system goes with that power outage?
[02:35]
A
Exactly.
[02:35]
B
I mean, and you're in like 27 below zero.
[02:38]
A
Exactly. Now, you can roll up paper or cardboard and make makeshift splints. If you layer it together.
[02:47]
B
I see.
[02:48]
A
You can use it as a window covering for privacy.
[02:51]
B
I've seen that done.
[02:52]
A
You can use it for light diffusion over a flashlight or a lamp. As long as it's not a flashlight. That generates a lot of heat.
[03:01]
B
Yeah, for sure.
[03:03]
A
You can use it for recording symptoms, inventory times, radio frequencies or instructions, and for packaging small items for organization.
[03:15]
B
So you can see that office paper becomes a whole Lot more valuable when that electronic communication can fail on you. You know, a notebook and a pen can become your new command center.
[03:26]
A
Yes, it can. Number two, binder clips and paper clips.
[03:31]
B
They're small, they're strong, and they are surprisingly useful.
[03:35]
A
Yeah. Now, one of the things we use them around the house for is clipping chip bags together.
[03:40]
B
Yeah, we can do that. Yeah, like with one of those B finder bulldog clips.
[03:44]
A
But you can also use it for clipping fabric tarps or plastic sheeting. Sure enough, you can use it for holding curtains back, blankets, or cardboard over the windows.
[03:55]
B
Right.
[03:56]
A
You can use it to secure bandages in a pinch. Organizing cords and smaller gear.
[04:02]
B
Yeah, I've seen them where they make a kind of like they loop the cable together and then they clip the.
[04:07]
A
Like a bulldog clip around it, holding maps or papers in windy conditions.
[04:13]
B
Very smart.
[04:14]
A
Creating improvised hooks.
[04:17]
B
Yeah. Because some of them have a loop or an opening in such a way that you could hook something onto it. Sure.
[04:23]
A
You can fix broken zippers temporarily.
[04:26]
B
You sure could.
[04:27]
A
Especially with the pull on the zipper.
[04:30]
B
Yeah.
[04:30]
A
You can join lightweight materials. You can also, with paperclips, straighten those things out and use it for probing or unclogging or hanging or retrieving small items.
[04:42]
B
You know those binder clips, I call them a bulldog clip. They're so underrated because they actually combine a gripping function. They have spring tension, and they're reusable.
[04:52]
A
So they're very versatile, and I keep several here. And one thing I do with one of those now I'm on the security team at church, and we are radioed. My cord goes over my shoulder, and if I'm wearing a vest, sometimes that gets outside the vest and is showing. So I use one of the small bulldog clips that I have, the cable for my radio mic and earphone that I clip to my shirt, and it holds it in place.
[05:23]
B
Smart.
[05:23]
A
There's just all kinds of uses for those things.
[05:25]
B
I like it. You know, here's another one. Good old tape. Office tape, the packing tape, shipping tape, masking tape, label tape, even duct tape if you've got it.
[05:35]
A
These are great for making temporary repairs. You. You can seal cracks around windows or doors.
[05:41]
B
You sure can. People do that at their houses, too.
[05:43]
A
You can secure plastic sheeting over windows or wherever you need it. You can even use it for blister prevention on feet, depending on the skin sensitivity.
[05:55]
B
Oh, okay.
[05:56]
A
You can use it for labeling supplies, creating a pull tab.
[06:00]
B
I've seen that done with duct tape.
[06:02]
A
Marking hazards, quieting rattling objects, reinforcing cardboard or Even improvised waterproofing for paper labels or instructions.
[06:14]
B
Let me tell you another way I've seen it used. I have seen a large message taped out onto like a large door, like a shipping door. And they just made letters with strips of duct tape, like all accounted for or no one left inside or something like that in large lettering. So somebody didn't have to be too awfully close to that. So you can actually create a message,
[06:36]
A
especially if you're having to search that area after some type of a disaster. All accounted for on the door means we don't have to check behind that door. But tape is not just for repair, it's also for containment, for organization and even speed.
[06:54]
B
Absolutely.
[06:55]
A
Number four is rubber bands.
[06:56]
B
You know, they're compact and they're versatile, but you got to be a little careful with rubber bands because they have a tendency to get dry rotted. And after so many months or years
[07:05]
A
in a drawer, especially in heat.
[07:07]
B
Yeah, exactly.
[07:08]
A
Some of the things that you can use rubber bands for is bundling supplies.
[07:13]
B
Sure.
[07:14]
A
Securing rolled up clothing, papers or bags.
[07:18]
B
Okay.
[07:19]
A
You can use it as an improvised grip on slippery handles.
[07:23]
B
Yeah, you can just loop some loops around and it does create a bit of a grip, especially if there's like a wet rainy situation or a floody situation.
[07:33]
A
And you can use it to help keep containers closed. I remember going to work and seeing people take their lunch out of their bag. And there was even these snap top containers and they'd have rubber bands around them to make sure that they did not come open.
[07:50]
B
Well, you know, that's pretty smart. I probably should have done that myself a time or two.
[07:54]
A
You can use it to hold a flashlight to an object.
[07:58]
B
Right.
[07:58]
A
You can, you can create tension for small repairs. In other words, you can use it for compression.
[08:05]
B
Yeah. Like holding two pieces together. If you're trying to tape something or put a screw in.
[08:10]
A
You can mark similar items by wrapping bands around them. Of course, you can keep your gloves together. That's something that I tend to lose one of my gloves and I have to go hunting for it. You can also use it as an improvised phone mount or a note holder. Think about that.
[08:31]
B
How would you use it as a phone mount?
[08:33]
A
Use a gym clip or a couple of gym clips. Put the rubber bands around your telephone, attach the gym clips to that, and then attach it to your air conditioner vent and it would hold it in place.
[08:47]
B
Interesting.
[08:49]
A
A lot of ways you could do that.
[08:50]
B
They're for light duty, you know, temporary fixes. And they're not very structural, but they could solve your problems if you've got some, and it could solve it very quickly right now. We'll get to number five in just a minute. But first, today's cup of coffee comes from Ralph, our very good friend who is a longtime supporter of our podcast. Ralph, we really do appreciate your support. Tell us a little bit more about Ralph.
[09:13]
A
Ralph is an accountant with 30 years experience. He is also a podcaster and a good one, too. He's a very good podcaster and one of his shows that he does is Financially Confident Christian. And if you are not listening, you need to be. Yeah, it's a wealth of advice that he is able to give. There again, that's Financially Confident Christian. And we'll put a link to that in the show notes.
[09:40]
B
You know, Ralph, we do really appreciate, really do, their support. Hey, friends, you too can go to practical prepping.info/support. And you could show us a little bit of love by buying us a few cups of coffee also. Or you might even go with a coffee membership. It's only $5 a month, but it really helps us offset the expenses of our show. So please consider doing that@practicalprepping.info support. Now let's get back to the show.
[10:06]
A
Number five. Pens, pencils, markers and highlighters.
[10:10]
B
You know, writing tools really are more important than they may seem.
[10:13]
A
They really do. They come in very handy for leaving messages, for taking notes, for making signs, for tracking rationing.
[10:22]
B
Okay.
[10:23]
A
For recording medical information. Writing down times and dosages of medications that need to be taken.
[10:31]
B
Sure.
[10:32]
A
You can mark evacuation routes. You can label clean versus dirty water containers.
[10:38]
B
Oh, that's smart.
[10:40]
A
Marking doors, rooms or searched areas like you were mentioning a while ago. You can draw maps with them, writing contact info on skin or tape if necessary.
[10:51]
B
I've seen that done, like in the aftermath or the anticipation of a large disaster storm or something to write down, you know, next of kin, their name and their phone number on the inside of your forearm.
[11:04]
A
Right.
[11:04]
B
I know it sounds a little macabre, but actually it doesn't mean you know that you're going to die, but it may be just a way to be able to help. Remember, if you don't have that piece of paper in your hand but you
[11:14]
A
have something to write with or if you're injured.
[11:17]
B
Yeah.
[11:17]
A
That they can be able to identify you through that.
[11:21]
B
Smart.
[11:22]
A
You can use a pencil as a small dowel. You can use it to splint fingers.
[11:27]
B
Absolutely.
[11:27]
A
Or toes. And in a chaotic situation, clear written communications prevents repeated questions and bad assumptions.
[11:36]
B
Well, that's kind of a smart way to go. Hey, next up would be your trash bags or trash liners. Most offices have a supply closet, and in that closet there's going to be boxes and boxes of trash bags. And they are among the most versatile and useful emergency items you can put your hands on. I mean, possible uses could be you could cut a hole in the center and a couple of holes on the side, and you could have a water resistant poncho. If you're dealing with a rain situation that won't stop, or you just want to kind of keep your clothes covered
[12:06]
A
and protected, or if you're trying to get home on foot, you can use it as a ground cover.
[12:12]
B
Sure.
[12:12]
A
You can make temporary shelter out of it. You can use it for waste containment.
[12:19]
B
Absolutely.
[12:20]
A
Use it as a toilet liner for an emergency sanitation.
[12:23]
B
Yeah. Because you may have a non flushable toilet.
[12:25]
A
Right. So you can use it to keep clothes dry, covering broken windows, separating contaminated items. You can also use it for collecting rainwater in some situations.
[12:39]
B
Okay.
[12:40]
A
And improvised storage, carrying lightweight supplies. Trash bags are not glamorous, but they're one of the highest value, low cost supplies in any building, that's for sure.
[12:53]
B
Also think about this. Next up on the list would be those big copy paper boxes. And large cardboard offices often have some of these boxes with reams of printer paper, things that are shipped, things that are stored. And so the possible uses for some of this cardboard would be to insulate against a cold floor. If the heat's not working and it's a cold floor situation, at least walking on some cardboard might be more comfortable,
[13:19]
A
or sleeping on it.
[13:20]
B
And these larger, heavier duty boxes can be done to organize supplies, to carry items from one spot to another. They can be broken down and separated to make window coverings and sometimes even taken apart to create a temporary privacy screen. And where it's safe, and usually in an outdoor setting, if possible, you can use that as kindling when you're building that fire with that paper product we
[13:44]
A
mentioned before, of course, you can make makeshift signs with it. Certainly you see them on the side of the road with somebody standing there says, hungry, need money?
[13:53]
B
Yeah, anything will help. Yep.
[13:55]
A
You can use it as splint material when you combine it with padding and tape.
[14:01]
B
Yeah. Being a larger piece of cardboard may be great for setting, like a longer bone, an arm or a thigh or something like that.
[14:08]
A
You can use it to protect items from dust or sorting clean and dirty supplies.
[14:14]
B
Yeah. Now cardboard's not going to be very helpful against like water and fire Obviously, but it is excellent for its structure, its organization possibilities, the way that it can insulate, and some visual control as well.
[14:27]
A
Number eight is computers, monitors, phones and electronics.
[14:31]
B
Even when the power's out.
[14:33]
A
Yep. Even when the Internet access is down, some of these devices may still have value. Of course, one, and this is on all of our phones is a flashlight.
[14:44]
B
Yeah. And pretty good one too.
[14:46]
A
Or using the screen is a flashlight.
[14:49]
B
Or. Or lighting. Yeah, just kind of a way to light the way.
[14:52]
A
You can use it for offline documents and maps. Good way to do that. Saved contacts. You can use laptops to charge batteries in your phone. You can use phones as cameras to document damage.
[15:07]
B
Very important.
[15:08]
A
You can create time stamped records.
[15:11]
B
Yeah. Because your camera will automatically download the date and your location. You don't even have to record it yourself. It'll be on your camera's information.
[15:21]
A
And you can use old cables for tying or organizing or for repairs. Use it like cordage. But the most useful emergency feature of a computer may be the information already stored on it, Right?
[15:36]
B
Exactly. Also think about this. This is number nine on our list. And that would be the items that you're going to find in your break room. A lot of these larger offices, well, even small offices often have a kitchen or a break room. And there's a lot of overlooked supplies in there. For example, coffee filters. We've talked about this before, but if you needed to pre filter some chunky water, you can pour it through a coffee filter into a clean container before you do the purification, at least to remove, as you have often said, the chunky stuff. Also things like plastic wrap or aluminum foil, you can cover food containers. You can make a container out of foil if you needed to, as long as you're not microwaving. If you do have power, you can make a makeshift bowl or a little pot or something and actually put it on the indirect on a grill, if you have that capability. Of course there's napkins and paper towels for cleaning if necessary. A lot of times you're also going to find a Keurig machine. There may be some coffee, some tea, some salt, some sugar. Those types of things could be for good morale or just to give you an energy boost. And there's often some utensils that could be used for food prep in your break room. And if your power is still available, you might have a microwave or a stovetop kettle or a coffee maker, something like that. Also think about using a cooler or your insulated lunch bag because it may be able to help keep some of your Food cool if you're in a power outage. And that way you're not going to risk, you know, a foodborne illness if it gets too warm. And there's usually a vending machine. And so, hey, you know, sometimes the boss, if they've got the key, I know I did this a time or two, they can open the vending machine and at least allow you to reach in and get what you want. And so sometimes that break room is often the closest thing an office has to a survival supply cache.
[17:30]
A
Number 10 is cleaning supplies. These are found around most offices. You need careful handling with these and some of the chemicals, but they can be very important, especially when it comes to surface sanitation.
[17:45]
B
Oh, that's smart.
[17:46]
A
Or odor control. Waste area maintenance gloves for hygiene tasks. They're often stored in there with boxes of gloves for the cleaning crew or for you buckets for water carrying or for cleaning.
[18:03]
B
Oh, good one.
[18:04]
A
Spray bottles for controlled application of water or the cleaners, mops and towels for leaks or flooding. But cleaning supplies can prevent a bad situation from becoming a medical condition.
[18:19]
B
Oh, very good. How about the mailroom in any of those shipping supplies? You know, a mailroom could be a treasure trove in the middle of an emergency. For example, you know, we talked about packing tape, and that could be used for some repairs if items are broken, if doorways or windows have some chipped or cracked glass, putting some of that packing tape over those cracks can prevent it from getting worse.
[18:41]
A
And you're likely to find packing tape in the mailroom.
[18:44]
B
Exactly, because they do a lot of
[18:46]
A
shipping out as you will. Bubble wrap.
[18:48]
B
Oh, we call that therapy cloth.
[18:51]
A
Yeah, the popping of it.
[18:52]
B
Pop, pop, pop.
[18:54]
A
But you can use that bubble wrap for insulation or for padding.
[18:58]
B
I suppose you certainly could.
[18:59]
A
If you had to sleep on the floor, you could put down cardboard for thermal insulation. You could put down the bubble wrap. You're going to have to be careful how you get on it because you're going to pop when you get on it.
[19:12]
B
Right.
[19:13]
A
But it would actually offer you some additional insulation and possibly padding. You can find boxes in the mail room for organization and transporting items.
[19:25]
B
You can find those padded envelopes that you can put in, maybe some fragile items or items that need protection, like thumb drives or documents or something like that that need a little extra tlc.
[19:36]
A
And you can use the shipping labels that you can find in there for identifying things that are in boxes.
[19:42]
B
Sure.
[19:43]
A
You can use scales for rationing or measuring food if you had to.
[19:48]
B
Yeah. Okay.
[19:49]
A
You'll often find utility knives Mail room. Those are very handy in survival type situations. You can also find twine or strapping material in there.
[20:01]
B
Yeah, bunches of uses for that.
[20:03]
A
But shipping supplies are designed to protect, label, seal and move things. And these are all survival functions.
[20:12]
B
Well, now this begs the question. Somebody might be listening to us and going, you know, I'm not sure that I've ever even thought about an emergency action plan in my office or my place of work. So if they wanted to build a small office preparedness drawer, what would you suggest to go in it?
[20:28]
A
Well, here's a long list really of things that we could potentially put in there. Flashlight or a headlamp.
[20:35]
B
Okay.
[20:36]
A
Spare batteries or a power bank. Definitely a power bank with the cords that go with it.
[20:41]
B
Right.
[20:41]
A
A small first aid kit inside your file cabinet that you wanted to make, your emergency cabinet. Some N95 mask or some type of similar respirators. If you had to evacuate from a large building, a tall building, and there's smoke in the stairwells, that N95 mask would come in handy.
[21:05]
B
I see.
[21:05]
A
Might put some work gloves in there. Definitely put some trash bags in there. Put a water bottle and some water purification tablets. And then use that coffee filter to pre filter your water if you needed to before you use your purification tablets. I'd put some food bars in there, emergency food, power bars, things like that.
[21:29]
B
Okay.
[21:30]
A
I'd also have a permanent marker and a notebook in there. Something I can make notes with. Maybe a lighter or matches if your office permits. Well, good point, good point. There's some of these things may not be allowed in your office, and one of those might be a small multi tool, but it'd be good to have that in there if you can as well. The phone charging cables to go along with your power bank. Printed emergency contacts.
[22:00]
B
Yeah. Because your phone may not be powered
[22:02]
A
up and may not be operable. You may not have cell service, but you may be able to use the company phone there. It may be operable.
[22:12]
B
Yeah. Just every situation.
[22:14]
A
Just some things to look at there. Maybe a local map.
[22:17]
B
Yeah.
[22:18]
A
Maybe a whistle if there's some type
[22:20]
B
of collapse, maybe earthquake sometimes with those buildings.
[22:24]
A
Exactly. And that whistle would help rescuers get to you.
[22:28]
B
Yeah. It can carry a sound farther than your weakened voice might be able to.
[22:32]
A
A compact radio.
[22:34]
B
Oh, okay.
[22:35]
A
To receive information with. If you're a ham radio operator, maybe you put an extra walkie talkie or handy talkie and they're really not big at all. I mean, they'll fit your computer bag and some of them have really gotten to where they're not expensive at all, right? I would keep hand sanitizer in mine. I would keep a three day supply of my regular medications and I would rotate those every now and then.
[23:02]
B
Because you got to think about this. What if you had to camp out in your workplace for three or four or five days, Right? Think about it.
[23:12]
A
I'd put spare socks in there.
[23:14]
B
Smart.
[23:15]
A
And I would definitely have a lightweight rain poncho in there. So you can build a small office emergency drawer. But improvisation is not about being clever for its own sake. It's about seeing function instead of labels.
[23:31]
B
Like you've just decided here.
[23:33]
A
A binder clips. Not just a binder clip. It's a clamp, a fastener, a hanger, a repair part. And it's an organizer.
[23:41]
B
Yeah, gotta think outside the box. So, friends, are you learning from the podcast? Do you get new ideas for your prepping journey? In other words, are you receiving value from our show? And would you help us out by giving back just a little? You can go to practicalprepping.info support and you'll find several ways you can support our show.
[24:01]
A
And we do appreciate you being here today. We appreciate you taking your time and inviting us into your day. And as Krista always says, stuff happens. Stay prepared and we'll see you next time.