In the UK alone we throw away over 110 million rolls of wrapping paper each Christmas. A lot of wrapping paper isn’t suitable for recycling, thanks to the use of plastics, dyes, and glitter.

How do you know if it’s recyclable? Avoid glitter as it contains microplastics and do the ‘scrunch test’. If the paper stays in a ball shape, then it can be placed in the recycling box but if it springs back it more than likely contains a plastic film and can’t be recycled.

So, ditch the garish shop-bought paper and try some of these ideas this Christmas:

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Recycled Brown Paper.

Probably one of the cheapest options – you can get 50 meters (that’s the same length as an Olympic sized swimming pool!) for under a tenner online, but this is also one that could create the biggest wow factor.

Buy a couple of Christmas themed wooden stamps and environmentally friendly inks and get stamping to create your own Christmas wrapping paper.

OR with a bit of time and talent…

…Go full-on Pinterest! Buy some twine, wooden decorations, etc. – Hit up the local antique, charity or junk shop, look for ornaments, scarves, tea towels, broaches, cards, maps. Got a real Christmas tree? Cut a few sprigs off and use as part of the decoration.

Turn that bland brown paper into the most unique and amazing gift wrapping:

    

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Reusable bags.

We get it, just stick it in a gift bag and be done with it. But gift and bottle bags are such a waste – as soon as the gift’s taken out, they’re usually thrown in the black bag, that every mum seems to appear with every Christmas morning!

Instead, look out for reusable fabric versions. It’s the easiest option for wrapping Christmas presents, stick the gift inside it tie it and done!  And more importantly the person receiving the gift can use the bag themselves. They become sustainable as they will get used over and over again before they give up. Even retail giants Amazon are getting in on the trend, their gift-wrapping now tends to come in a fabric bag with ribbon and recyclable card for you to write your message on.

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Fabrics.

Take the DIY route and grab some fabric, we’re thinking Christmas tablecloths or Christmassy fabrics from the local store. Wrap your presents in it, secure it with a bow, twine or even fabric cut-offs and you’re sorted…

🌎🌍🌏 For the Mother ~ Eco fabric wrapping gift ~ even more quick to wrap than paper !

81 Likes, 15 Comments – ↟ Lucie ↟ (@happy_little_sprout) on Instagram: “🌎🌍🌏 For the Mother ~ Eco fabric wrapping gift ~ even more quick to wrap than paper !”

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Tissue Paper.

As an alternative to wrapping paper, tissue paper can look amazing wrapped around your presents, especially when finished off with a bow. Is it eco-friendly? Isn’t it? Well, it is and it isn’t! Tissue paper is made from already recycled paper – environmentally friendly! However, this does usually mean it can’t be recycled again, the fibres are too short which causes issues in the recycling process. But, hang on, as long as it doesn’t have sticky tape or glitter on it, you can compost tissue paper and it’s actually good or your compost pile as it will soak up any water and keep it from being smelly.

Meaning that overall, it’s a good environmental way to wrap your presents.

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Presentation Boxes.

Think of all those Christmas movies. Where the actor bursts through the door clutching a mountain of Christmas gifts in perfect boxes with a big bow on top. By using boxes made from recycled paper, you can! Just like the use of brown paper you can make your presents look amazing.

Seeing as you’re here, check out our guest blog about a zero waste Christmas!