Gift wrapping is one of many festive holiday traditions, but it can also generate a lot of waste. Consumers in the UK use 227,000 miles of wrapping paper each year and throw away what equates to 108 million rolls of wrapping paper (GWP Group). It is a huge contribution to the 30% rise in waste that occurs every year over the Christmas period.
Gift wrapping is a beloved holiday tradition, but it can also generate a lot of waste. If you want to make your gift wrapping more sustainable, there are several options to consider. Here are some ideas for eco-friendly gift wrapping:
Reuse
Re-use what you already have lying around! Newspaper, magazines, pre-loved wrapping paper, parcel packaging and boxes can make the perfect gift wrap. If you’re feeling like going the extra mile, try personalising plain paper and boxes with paint and pens.
Fabric Wrap
Guaranteed to be used again and again, and easily gathered from beautiful fabric of unworn clothes or spare off-cuts, using material to wrap your presents is a great way to save on paper as well as creating a beautiful gift. A lot of Christmas wrapping paper isn’t recyclable, which adds to the landfill at this time of year. By using material that may otherwise be destined for the tip, you’re helping the environment by diverting from landfill in two ways.
A Gift Inside a Gift
Wrap your gift in another, functional, gift, like a nice wicker basket, or these multi-purpose Vegan Leather Bags. This completely minimises waste by using something practical, instead of wrapping paper that will be thrown away.
Swap Bows for Greenery
Adding a touch of nature not only looks beautiful, but also is kinder to the planet than plastic ribbons. While plastic bows might look beautiful, they offer nothing more than adding to landfill after Xmas is all done and dusted. Christmas is the perfect time of year for sourcing beautiful natural decorations for your presents. From holly leaves to cinnamon sticks, or greenery straight from the garden, there are so many ways to decorate your gifts with foliage and make them look natural and festive.
Tie with String Instead of Tape
One of the biggest eco-concerns when it comes to gift-wrapping is tape, due to the plastic components that can’t be recycled. There are some great instructional videos showing ways to wrap gifts without tape using clever folding techniques, making it a great way to reduce your plastic usage at this time of year. Alternatively, wrap your presents the old-fashioned way by tying with string! Twine or natural string is easier to recycle and can also be used time and time again if saved from the presents.
