Wrapping Christmas gifts is a classic holiday tradition. There’s something magical about choosing new coordinating papers and bows for your packages each season. But as much as we love this tradition, it’s actually one of the most wasteful parts about the holiday season.
You might assume that because the word ‘paper’ is part of the name, that wrapping paper can be tossed into the blue bin with the rest of your recyclables—but that’s not the case. Here’s what you need to know about wrapping paper ahead of the holiday gift-giving season, along with some of our favorite eco-friendly alternatives.
Why You Can’t Recycle Wrapping Paper
Most traditional wrapping paper cannot be recycled—which means an average of 2.3 million pounds of wrapping paper is tossed into the landfill each year. The reason it can’t be recycled is because most wrapping papers aren’t just made of paper. Instead, they’re usually coated in a plastic film (to make it more sturdy) or have shiny adhesive elements, glitter, or bright dyes.
And while there are plenty of sustainable solutions (like wrapping gifts with fabric or making fabric gift bags), there’s still nothing quite like ripping open paper on Christmas morning. If you still have Christmas gifts to wrap and are set on the classic paper-and-ribbon method, look for wrapping paper that is fully recyclable. This paper won’t have any plastic coating or metallic accents, and the packaging will say ‘recyclable.’
Kim Cornelison
What You Can Do Instead
If you’re not quite ready to give up traditional wrapped gifts this season, there are a few options you can feel good about. Try one of these eco-friendly options this season.
Look for recyclable wrapping paper: One of our favorite brands is Wrappily, which makes eco-friendly double-sided paper that comes folded flat, so you don’t have to worry about storing any bulky cardboard tubes. You can also find recyclable paper at some craft and department stores, but you’ll have to check the label on each individual roll.
Wrap gifts in fabric: While you won’t get the satisfaction of tearing open the paper, but you can still decorate with gorgeous ribbons and bows—and your recipient will have a pretty scarf, tea towel, or other fabric item to keep in addition to the gift that’s wrapped inside.
Opt for reusable gift bags: Most paper gift bags can’t be recycled for the same reasons as traditional wrapping paper, but if you have a stash of bags on hand already it’s a great idea to reuse them for as long as you can. If you don’t already have paper bags, consider making your own reusable fabric gift bags instead.
