Sustainable Gift Wrapping 101

Let's talk about wrapping gifts. Traditional wrapping paper is shiny, glittering, and colorful but is rubbish. Speaking, you cannot recycle it. The good news is that you can wrap presents attractively without producing a lot of trash, and removing the wrapping paper will significantly reduce your Christmas waste.

Additionally, eco-friendly gift wrapping is considerably more creative. It's an excellent opportunity to exercise your imagination, make savings, and give some of your recycling a second life. Many of the presents seen in the photos below are things you could readily discover in a recycling bin.

can you recycle that?

Transitioning to eco-friendly wrapping during this season is one simple, straightforward way to reduce waste. Other strategies include avoiding food waste, prioritizing experiences over stuff when shopping, and keeping in mind the true meaning of the holiday season: spending time with loved ones.

is wrapping paper recyclable?

Because most gift wraps or wrapping paper are plastic, they cannot be recycled. It was most likely created using Mylar, a plastic film coated with aluminum if shiny, metallic, or dazzling. Both the ribbon and the gold metallic wrapping paper cannot be recycled.

Try the scrunch test if you need clarification on the material of your wrapping paper. If your wrapping paper resists being crumpled, it is made of plastic. It might be paper if some of the scrunches are still present. The best option is to try some environmentally friendly substitutes listed below.

are gift bows recyclable?

Shiny ribbons that you peel off the backing and adhere to packages cannot be recycled. Visit the section on extra decorations for innovative and environmentally responsible gift bow ideas.

how do you wrap a gift like a pro?

Following this simple three-step method, you can wrap a gift like a pro. It would be best to have the base wrapping, the fastening, and a special touch. Mix and match these elements to create endless variations.

gift wrapping alternatives for wrapping paper:

butcher paper:

There is never a shortage of butcher paper, whether white or brown. I can usually find it in recycling bins or among friends, family, and neighbors, especially with the growth in popularity of internet buying.

Like store bags, once the paper has been trimmed to size and the gift has been wrapped using traditional wrapping paper, it can be decorated with holiday doodles or stamped with holiday images. The thrift shop almost always has stamped with festive themes.

newsprint and newspaper:

There are many benefits to using recycled newsprint as wrapping paper. Every time, the comics section is beautiful. The two ways I like to use newsprint are to pack gift bags with it or wrap little things.

Despite your anti-junk mail initiatives, it can be easily located in a recycling bin or in the free circulars in your mailbox. Both colored and ordinary black and white newsprint make for adorable eco-friendly gift wrapping.

fabric wrapping:

Furoshiki is a time-honored old Japanese practice that dates back more than 1200 years and has been used to wrap gifts. There are usually many of these vibrant scarves at thrift shops. Using silk or imitation silk manufactured from natural fibers like hemp can provide a stylish alternative to paper wrapping.

Several businesses also sell beautiful fabric samples in various sizes to wrap various gifts.

cloth napkins:

Cloth napkins are an eco-friendly gift wrap alternative used for hundreds of years, despite occasionally being slightly more rigid than silk scarves. Most thrift shops have plenty of cloth napkins for sale. Cloth napkins, which come in various colors, are ideal for any color scheme and complement any other decorations. The knot at the top provides the perfect bow.

upcycling old t-shirts, sweaters, and flannels: 

A bow created from an old plaid shirt you seldom wear would be adorable, right? To make a special and lovely bow, cut your shirt into tiny pieces and use them to wrap your gift.

ribbons:

Ribbons can be reused! As you can see in a lot of the pictures on this page, I tie my gifts with ribbons. I have some lovely red and gold ribbons that I repurpose every holiday season.

twine: 

I use twine to tie my presents, much as in the Sound of Music when I wrap a gift in a newsprint or brown paper. I've kept a spool of cotton string in my home for years. It can cook with, tie up goods, or make homemade candles. I also have some festive twine with red and white stripes.

How do you feel? Would you try any of these eco-friendly packaging concepts? You'll need to read these if you want more articles on planning a more environmentally friendly vacation.