I don’t think it’s an official love language, but mine is definitely Gift Giving. Finding the perfect gift is an ART and a SCIENCE. It’s a carefully crafted and thoughtful memento that puts smiles in my loved ones’ hearts. And sustainably wrapping the most amazing gift is the ultimate cherry on top. Perfect present, perfect presentation. And it is the GIFT GIVING time of the year!!
But the last couple years, I’ve been absolutely astonished by how much wrapping paper we’ve had to throw away due to it not being accepted at our recycling facility: metallic finishes, glitter, plastic coatings, the amount of plastic tape utilized by family members. As my wrapping paper stash (that has been gifted to me from my mother and grandmother as they’ve downsized over the years) has started to dwindle, I’m excited to bring some sustainable gift wrapping to my holiday celebrations.
Traditional wrapping paper is often made from non-recyclable materials and ends up in landfills, contributing to environmental damage. So one of the easiest ways to make your gift wrapping more sustainable is by using recycled or eco-friendly materials. Or you can also reuse old gift bags or boxes, or wrap gifts in fabric that can be used again. Not only will this reduce waste, but it can also add a unique and personal touch to your gift.

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Is Wrapping Paper Eco Friendly?
I was all-in a couple years ago with recycling our Christmas wrapping paper; so much so that I COLLECTED it from family member to recycle it. Only to find out that the “paper” wasn’t recyclable. I’ve since realized that eco-friendly gift wrapping is really important so we don’t rely on the recyclability of our wrapping paper. My local recycling center wouldn’t accept wrapping paper. What I couldn’t repurpose ended up in the trash, contributing to the already overwhelming amount of waste in our landfills. By choosing eco-friendly options, we can reduce our impact on the environment and make a positive difference.

Did you know that Americans generate an additional 25 million tons of trash during the holiday season? That’s a staggering amount of waste, much of which is made up of wrapping paper and packaging. Our choice of wrapping paperdoes add up every year.
In addition to ending up in the landfill, never to be seen again, traditional wrapping paper can also be harmful to the environment. It often contains dyes, coatings, and other chemicals that can be harmful to wildlife and native ecosystems.
Eco Friendly Gift Wrapping Materials
When it comes to gift wrapping, there are a variety of materials that can be used to reduce your environmental impact while still being able to wrap presents for your loved ones.
Reduce your Holiday Gift Wrap
Simply the easiest: go without wrapping your gifts this year and reduce your holiday waste. You can save money, time, energy, and the stress of needing those oddly shaped items to look PERFECT.
Bonus points if your gift is an experience that is zero waste and creates the most amazing memories. Consider giving gifts such as concert tickets, a day at the spa, cooking classes, or a weekend getaway. These experiences not only don’t require wrapping, but they also create lasting memories that can’t be put in a box. Plus, it’s a great way to reduce holiday waste and the stress of finding the perfect wrapping paper and bows.
Reusable Materials
Another way to wrap your gift sustainably is to use reusable materials. Here are some popular options:

- Fabric: Fabric wrapping, such as furoshiki, is a way to wrap a gift that can be used again and again. The fabric can be anything from a scarf, tea towel, or even a t-shirt given as part of their gift. You just put your gift in the center and tie the fabric in a variety of ways to create unique and beautiful wrapping.
- Gift Boxes and Bags: Instead of using traditional wrapping paper, consider using a gift box or bag that can be reused for future gifts. These are more durable than wrapping paper and can cover even the oddest shape gifts.
- Glass Jars: For smaller gifts or those that are consumable (like homemade cookies or fudges, YUM!), consider using a glass jar as a container. It can be decorated with natural materials like twine or a sprig of rosemary for a festive touch. I love glass jars. In the fridge, cupboard, bathroom, pantry, garden, car…they have a use EVERYWHERE.
Compostable Paper and Tape to Wrap Gifts
- Brown Paper: Kraft paper, or brown paper, is a classic and sustainably wrapping option. Plain paper can be dressed up with stamps, pine tree sprigs, or paper ribbon for a more festive look.
- Tissue Paper: Tissue paper is a great alternative to traditional wrapping paper. Look for options that are made from recycled materials and to be recycled or compostable. Extra glitter or metallic edging will likely send it to the landfill, be sure to check with your local recycling facility.
- Paper Tape: Instead of using plastic tape, opt for paper tape that is biodegradable or compostable. There is paper + water-activated starch adhesive tape this is fully compostable at the end of its life.
Recyclable Gift Wrap Materials
One of the easiest ways to make gift wrapping more sustainable is to buy and use wrapping paper that is made from recyclable paper or biodegradable materials. If we’re buying paper anyway, might as well make it sustainable wrapping paper. This is the most convenient, one-for-one swap. And since it’s more durable than big box wrapping paper and can be reused, it’s not that much more expensive.
Look for wrapping paper made from recycled materials. Some popular options are Wrappily and Of The Earth. Eco-Girl, my favorite small, sustainable living business, has several adorable Wrappily paper wrapping options this year! The yellow VW beetle with the dogs in the snow is my favorite. Wrappily gift paper can be recycled and is 100% compostable made with recyclable newsprint and soy-based inks. It comes packaged without any plastic and is printed on neighborhood newspaper presses (which is so cool!).
I don’t need any as I got all of my Grandma’s wrapping paper with her passing late last year, but I’m excited to see the cute designs they have available in the future.
Sustainable Gift Wrapping Techniques
When it comes to gift wrapping, there are so many sustainable options available to wrap the gifts under your tree this year. A few gift wrapping ideas I like to utilize are:
Furoshiki Wrapping
Furoshiki is a traditional Japanese wrapping cloth that can be used to wrap gifts of all shapes and sizes. These cloths are usually made of cotton or other eco-friendly materials and can be reused many times. To wrap a gift using furoshiki, simply place the gift in the center of the cloth, bring the corners together, and tie them in a knot. You can also use furoshiki to wrap bottles, books, and other items.

Furoshiki gift wrapping is not practical, it also adds a personal and unique touch to the present. In addition to gift wrapping, furoshiki can be used for carrying items, as a scarf, or even as a tablecloth or picnic blanket. It is a versatile and sustainable alternative to disposable wrapping paper, and it is a part of Japanese culture that embodies the concept of “mottainai,” which means to minimize waste.
In recent years, furoshiki has gained popularity outside of Japan as a sustainable and stylish way to wrap gifts. Many people appreciate the eco-friendly and waste-reducing aspects of furoshiki, as well as the beautiful and intricate designs of the cloths. Some companies even offer furoshiki wrapping services, encouraging customers to reuse the cloths and reduce their environmental impact.
DIY Gift Wrap
Making your own eco-friendly wrapping paper or gift wraps is a great way to personalize and show your love through gifts. You can use recycled materials you have at home like newspaper or magazine pages to create personal and fun wrapping paper.

You can also decorate your DIY wrapping paper with stamps, pine tree or rosemary sprigs, twine, dried flowers, or other natural materials. These elements can add a rustic and charming touch to your gift, and can often be found in your own backyard or at a local farmer’s market. By DIY-ing your wrapping paper, you can show your loved ones that you care about the planet while still giving a thoughtful and beautiful gift.
Alternatively, you can print your own wrapping paper from a handmade shop like Etsy and pretty it up with a burlap bow. Envelopes and brown paper bags are also great materials you probably have on-hand to wrap gifts. If you want to get super creative, you can upcycle chip bags or other random materials (possibly destined for a waste stream) to create unique and eco-friendly gift wrap.
Wrapping without Tape
I haven’t tried wrapping any presents without tape yet, but I LOVE watching all the videos on Pinterest on how to wrap sustainably without any plastic tape. Some of the videos are of the starch-based water-activated tape and some of them are straight present-origami and literally use NOTHING but paper to wrap the presents.
I want to origami wrap my carefully selected and thoughtful gifts for everyone this Christmas! I imagine it’s like rolling our towels: a little difficult with the learning curve, but absolutely magical once you master it and can throw clean towels up and down the stairs without them unfolding.
I’ll have to report back after the Christmas season to let you know the level of difficulty, but this is something I’m trying…especially with all the hand-me-down wrapping paper I have from my Grandma.
Final Thoughts on Sustainable Gift Wrap Options
It’s important to remember that not all gift wrap is recyclable, and many types of wrapping paper are coated with plastics or decorated with glitters that render them unrecyclable. I don’t want you to find out the hard way like I did.
There are many creative and inventive ways to present gifts (hehe PRESENT = GIFTS) without using wrapping paper. You can create a minimalist look with kraft paper, twine, and sustainable ribbon or burlap. You can handcraft your own gift wrap using crafting or tissue paper and customizing it with rubber stamps, stencils, hand-drawn designs, and adding some natural elements. Or you can reuse materials your already have like gift bags, boxes, or hand-me-down wrapping paper.
Sustainable gift wrapping is a great way to reduce waste during the holiday seasons and beyond (like birthdays, baby showers…all the celebratory events!). By choosing eco-friendly materials such as recycled paper, cloth bags, or natural elements like pine cones and dried flowers, we can stop normalizing creating more waste during the season of giving. Let’s give back to the planet a little bit this year, shall we?
