Why? Because wrap & cards mostly land up in landfill
YULETIDE FACT
In 2017, Americans spent $12.7 BILLION on gift wrapping alone. That’s equivalent to the US 2016 investment in wind-power projects.
Let’s cut to the chase on this one.
1.5 billion Christmas cards are thrown away by UK households each year. Along with that, is also more than 277,000 miles of Christmas wrapping paper – sufficient to stretch to the moon. Not to be outdone, Americans discard an estimated 38,000 miles of ribbon, enough to wrap around the planet, with some left over to tie a bow.
Most of it’s unrecyclable, and, even if it can be, only a tiny portion actually is. After a short stopover in our living rooms, Santa delivers it straight to the dump.
To end on a sparkle, glitter’s a no-no too! It’s basically a microplastic and is terrible for the environment - marine life in particular - with scientists calling for it to be banned. Enough. Instead of glitter and glut, let’s use the golden rule…do unto the planet as you would have done unto you.
We can love Christmas and love the planet too.
Ok got it. So how do I take action?
It doesn’t mean that we’ve got to sit around like Scrooge, frowning in a hemp sack. It does mean we get creative and there’s lots of exciting planet-friendly choices arriving too.
Wrapping:
Consider gift bags or boxes, they can be easily re-used year after year by your friends and family. Boxes that things are delivered in are worth sexing up and re-purposing too.
There’s some cool reusable fabric wrap arriving on the market as a zero-waste alternative to wrapping paper, like this here.
If you do buy wrapping paper, makes sure it’s recyclable and, ideally, made from recycled materials too. As a general rule, paper which is laminated, glittery or very thin, isn’t suitable for recycling. Try the ‘scrunch test’ - if it holds its shape when scrunched into a ball, it’s likely recyclable; if it springs back, it’s not.
Brown paper is brilliant as it’s compostable, and looks great tied with raffia or string, Embellished with a little holly, ivy or sprigs, all style preserved! You could use newspaper, magazines, comics, old road maps too. Or, put the kids to work decorating paper bags.
Try to avoid sellotape and use twine, fabric ribbons or paper tape instead. If used, remove before recycling.
Cards:
Consider a phone call, instead of a card. Imagine that! Someone actually calling to see how your year has been, to thank you, to wish you the best for the next one. Maybe that would be better than any card or present anyone could ever get. Maybe that’s Christmas.
If you do want to send some, look out for cards that have the ‘FSC-certified’ mark or are made from recycled paper, or go for an e-card or a seedcard.
But will it cost me more money?
Depends what you go for. If you’re buying reusable wrap, it will up front. Recycled, ethical wrap almost always costs more - though we know cheap always costs someone or something. The rest? You’ll save in spades.
We…
Aimee: I am looking for experiences to gift this year, rather than things, like theatre tickets, nice dinners, or something that gives back. Nothing to wrap, memories to make!
Sonia: I struggle a bit with this one as I love, love, love wrapping and cards. Boo. I’ll use boxes and brown paper bags I have at home and sex them up, so they’re hot to trot.
“Brown paper packages tied up with string
These are a few of my favourite things
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