Tips on Sustainable Gift Wrapping

Want to know one of the easiest ways to be more environmentally friendly this Christmas? Use less gift wrapping paper. Or if you’re up for a challenge, you can try not using any wrapping paper ;)

Fortunately, wrapping with less doesn't have to mean less beautiful or less fun. Here are our favorite eco-friendly ideas to keep the garbage at minimum and still be thoughtful and festive.

Here are some tips for gift wrapping alternatives this holiday:

1. Use colorful pages from magazines to wrap small gifts
   
2. Use old maps for wrapping  larger boxes 
   
3. Use an old calendar and mark the day 
   
4. If you end up buying wrapping paper look for a recycled paper
   
5. Use old tins, boxes, baskets 
   
6. Use cloth ribbons instead of plastic bows 
   
7. Unwrap gifts carefully and save wrappings for reuse next year
   
8. Grocery store paper bags 
   
9. Use brown Kraft paper which is recyclable and biodegradable
   
10. Mason Jars
    
11. Cloth 
    
12. Tote bags 
    
13. Use paper tape 
    
14. Use twine, leather cord, strips of scrap fabric, metal wire for tying everything 
    
15. Use a card written on recycled paper or cardboard 
    

Think beyond paper. Its good for the environment but it's also a fun way to personalize your gifts and save money.

It’s kind of crazy to think we spend billions each year on something that is forgotten in minutes and needs to be cleaned up after it is tossed everywhere around your living room.

If you’re curious, and want to know more about wrapping paper and the environment you can visit www.use-less-stuff.com.

Visit the website and use the checklist to reduce your waste this holiday season!

Written by Orjana Hysenaj