There has been a lot of talk about the environment recently, and many people have already started recycling. But what about wrapping paper? It’s as big of a deal as other things like plastic bottles or aluminum cans, especially during the holiday season, so why aren’t we asking the question of whether we can recycle wrapping paper?!
Turns out you definitely can, and there are plenty of ways to do this yourself. Here is all you need to know!
Why is recycling wrapping paper important?
Wrapping paper might not seem like a big deal, but we use almost 5 million pounds of it every year. That’s right, 5 MILLION! And only 1% of those are recycled each year, the rest is simply wrapping paper waste thrown out in landfills. Wrapping paper is made out of different materials apart from paper, and it can be difficult to recycle.
However, you might think about recycling your wrapping paper because it is a good way to save money and help the environment. We all want a beautifully wrapped gift without harming the environment. And the best part? There are so many different ways for you to do this yourself!
Reuse before you recycle
When you are buying wrapping paper, make sure to think about if you will be able to reuse the wrapping paper before looking for creative ways to recycle your old wrapping paper. Of course, not everyone knows this until after they have bought their gift-wrapping supplies, so here is a creative alternative that can still save you some money! Just turn your old wrapping paper into a gift by making a new card or bookmark! This works especially well with old maps and vintage papers.
If you do not want to do this yourself because the process seems too complicated, there are plenty of websites out there where you can print your own designs on any type of wrapping material. Reusing helps the environment and helps you save money, so it is a win-win situation!
How can I reduce gift wrapping waste?
There are a few different ways that you can reduce the amount of waste your household produces. One way is to think about the type of holiday gift wrap you are using. For example, holographic or metallic wrapping paper cannot be recycled easily because they are made out of multiple materials. Choose plain wrapping paper instead-it is easier to recycle and will still look great under the tree!
Another way to reduce waste is by reusing your wrapping paper as many times as you can. The best time to do this is after Christmas when people receive a lot of gifts that are wrapped in holiday wrapping paper. Just cut out pictures or words and leave them attached-it looks just like one big picture and your friends and family will be so impressed!
Last but not least, make sure to recycle your wrapping paper when you are done with it. You can put it in the blue bin or take it to your local recycling center. Just make sure that all the tape and bows have been removed first!
What kind of wrapping paper is recyclable?
Almost all types of wrapping paper are recyclable! Just make sure that it is not made out of multiple materials and that there is no tape or bows on the paper. If you are unsure, just check with your local recycling center to see if they accept wrapping paper, or even your grocery store to make sure you only buy recyclable wrapping paper.
Remember, the less waste we produce, the better off our planet is!
How can I recycle wrapping paper?
There are a few different ways that you can recycle your wrapping paper. You can put it in the blue bin or take it to your local recycling center. Just make sure that all the tape and bows have been removed first!
If you are feeling crafty, you can also reuse your wrapping paper by cutting out pictures or words and leaving them attached. This works especially well with old maps and vintage papers.
Lastly, you can recycle your wrapping paper by making new cards or bookmarks! Just head over to Pinterest and search “repurpose wrapping paper” for all the creative ideas!
Dos and don’ts of recycling wrapping paper
- DO recycle your wrapping paper if it is made out of one material and there is no tape or bows on the paper.
- DO reuse your wrapping paper by cutting out pictures or words and leaving them attached.
- DON’T recycle metallic and holographic wrapping papers because they are made out of multiple materials, but instead opt for traditional wrapping paper.
- DON’T forget to remove all the tape and bows from your wrapping paper before recycling it.
- ONLY buy recyclable wrapping paper. If you are unsure about whether or not a certain type of wrapping paper is recyclable, just check with your local recycling center.
How to wrap smarter?
With all the beautiful holiday wrapping paper on the market, it is hard not to go overboard. However, there are plenty of ways you can cut back without sacrificing good looks!
One way is to choose your favorite colors and buy wrapping paper that has multiple patterns or pictures instead of buying many different types of wrapping paper. Just mix and match by using the different pictures instead of using them for specific gifts! It may seem confusing to wrap this way, but once you get used to it, it will be much easier.
Another smart idea is to simply use construction paper or newspaper that you already have in your home. You can create your own patterns or draw designs that are personalized just for your friends and family. They will be so impressed with your creativity!
Lastly, make sure to use less wrapping paper by reusing it as many times as you can. The best time to do this is after Christmas when people receive a lot of gifts that are wrapped in holiday wrapping paper. Just cut out pictures or words and leave them attached-it looks just like one big picture and your friends and family will be so impressed!
The wrapping paper recycling test
So, can you recycle your wrapping paper? Answer these questions to find out!
1. Is the wrapping paper made up of more than one material?
2. Is there any tape or bows on the paper? If so, remove them first!
3. Can recycled wrapping paper be used as a new gift itself? Remember, less waste is better for the planet!
If you answered yes to all of these questions, then go ahead and recycle your wrapping paper! If not, there are still plenty of other ways for you to reduce waste this holiday season.
Final Thoughts
The holiday season is a time for giving, and what better way to give to the environment than by recycling your old items like wrapping paper? Just make sure that you properly follow the recycling guidelines to make the process as easy as possible. If everyone does their part, we can all help make our planet a little bit cleaner!
Happy holidays!