Posted on November 12 2021
A lot of wrapping paper is plastic based or contains materials that cannot be recycled, so seek out recyclable gift wrap. As a general rule, if you can scrunch up the paper and it stays scrunched, it can usually be recycled.
Similarly to wrapping paper, many tags and wrapping accessories contain glitter, foil and other non-recyclable materials. Stick to paper tags and always check the label when buying to see whether they can be recycled.
If you’ve taken our previous tips into account and invested in some recyclable gift wrap and tags for your loved ones’ gifts this year, don’t forget to remove the sellotape before recycling it! Better still, get yourself some recyclable tape or avoid using it altogether by fastening gifts with ribbon or using reusable gift boxes.
Love making your presents look pretty? Buying rolls of ribbon and string each year to decorate your gifts, only for it to be tossed in the bin on Boxing Day, is a huge waste. Keep hold of ribbons and other gift wrap decorations, pop them somewhere safe and use them for years to come.
Fun fact: small business owners do a little dance every time you make an order. Shopping small for Christmas means your friends and family are getting something a little more unique and personal (and often handmade or one-of-a-kind). It’s an added bonus that smaller companies, by nature, do less harm to the planet. If you don’t know where to start - try Etsy.
Ask your loved ones for Christmas lists so as to avoid potentially unappreciated gifts. It may seem to take some of the magic out of the festive season, but it saves a ton of waste. For the indecisive recipient, you can’t go wrong with a gift card for their favourite shop or restaurant.
Get your Christmas veg loose to avoid over-buying, be as creative as possible with leftovers (there are hundreds of possible post-Christmas sandwich combinations), and compost anything else. Also, avoid unnecessary deals when buying your Christmas supplies - if there’s a two-for-one deal on Celebrations, donate one to the food bank!
Make up, skincare and perfume make great gifts, but how do you know what you’re really buying? If you’re purchasing cosmetics this Christmas, look for the Leaping Bunny certification to ensure they’re cruelty-free. Also, look out for organic and Fairtrade products to protect biodiversity and ensure the fair payment of everyone in the supply chain.
