Wrap it Right! Eco-Friendly Gift Wrap and Wrapping Alternatives

Did you know that half of the paper consumed in America each year is used for gift wrapping? ¹ You can reduce waste and expense by using everyday alternatives to create eco-friendly wrapping paper.

Make Your Own

You can make your own paper by re-purposing grocery bags, and newspapers. Cut apart the brown grocery bags and decorate with stamps or your own drawings. What's black and white and red all over? Newspaper used as gift wrapping and tied up with red yarn or ribbon. Or use the comic pages for full color wrapping.

Recycle

Don't be afraid to reuse wrapping paper. After all, if it was good enough for Grandma, it's good enough for you. Save the bigger sheets for wrapping paper. Shred the small pieces to use as filler in gift bags and boxes. You can re-gift gift bags time after time. Or buy lengths of seasonal fabric from your local sewing or craft store. Add Velcro to make reusable (and washable) gift wrap.

Get Creative

If you have to buy new paper, make sure it has a high recycled content. Or buy leftover wrapping paper from at your Goodwill or Salvation Army thrift shop. While you are at the thrift shop, look for items you can use to carry out the theme of the present. Bath towels and baskets can package bath care gifts. Look for unusual jars or canisters for giving cookies, candies or other food gifts. Keep an eye out for cloth totes and bags that you can use to package large or odd shaped gifts.

Cut up greeting cards to use for gift tags. Or use a square of the wrapping material. Use pinking shears or craft scissors. Decorate with stamps or hand drawn art. Punch a hole and attached with a piece of leftover ribbon or string.

In addition to cutting down on waste, these eco-friendly gift wraps can be personalized for the recipient. Your friends and family with appreciate the effort you put into making the wrapping as special as their gift.

References

• 1. A season for giving, not discarding, CalRecycle

photo by Henk L