Every Christmas, an estimated 220,000 miles of wrapping paper is used and then thrown away across the UK.
If wrapping paper is covered in glitter, or made of foil, it is not recyclable. If you’re not sure if your wrapping paper is recyclable, do the scrunch test. Scrunch it into a ball. If it springs back into shape, it is likely made of foil and so should not be recycled. If it scrunches, it can be recycled. Check out this video from Recycle Now for a demonstration.
Sticky tape and any added decorations to wrapping paper (such as ribbons and bows) should be removed, if they are made from non-recyclable materials.
If your wrapping paper is made from recyclable material, recycle it! There are also some other fun ways of wrapping presents that won't end up in the general waste bin.
Do you have a family member who loves football or cricket? Wrap their gifts in the sports section of a newspaper! This will create a unique look, make use of a material already in your home, and this material can be recycled after use.
If you're careful when opening presents, you could try reusing wrapping paper each year. Save your wrapping paper for next year by folding it up and placing it in a box for easy storage.
Make the switch from plastic tape to paper tape, or use ribbons and string. This ensures that all your wrapping is reusable or recyclable!
Have you ever heard of the Japanese art of Furoshiki? This tradition involves wrapping gifts in fabrics for a gift wrap that you can wash after use. You could even use your own clothes, scarves or other clothing items to wrap presents - saving you money on wrapping and preventing unnecessary waste!
Remember to recycle what you can after Christmas. Cardboard, paper, and glass should be recycled at the kerbside or dropped off at local recycling points. Remove any plastic tape, glitter or non-recyclable decorations from cards, wrapping paper and cardboard boxes before recycling.