Plastic Vs. Paper Wrapping Material

A plastic bag can easily transform into an ideal and innovative wrapping mechanism.

Whether you are wrapping gifts, textbooks or even delicate items for storage, there are plenty of recycling opportunities for both paper and plastic. While each will have their advantages in specific situations, both will be good for the environment and your wallet. Utilizing paper and plastic items you already have will significantly cut down on the wrapping materials you will need to purchase.

Paper

Paper is ideal for wrapping boxes, books and anything with flat, smooth lines. Since paper can be easily folded and creased over the edges of what is being wrapped, it is an ideal material for a neat and clean finished look. If you are wrapping a gift, another advantage is that paper will not be easily seen through, especially if you are using a colored stock. Paper will keep the gift disguised and protect the surprise.

Plastic Wrap

Plastic wrap, or the commonly used cellophane, is ideal for awkwardly shaped packages or gifts such as bouquets of flowers and gift baskets. Since a bouquet of flowers or a floral arrangement is not typically disguised or covered up, the fact that you can see the gift through the wrapping does not matter. The same is true of a gift basket. Like flowers, a gift basket is typically artfully arranged for a strong visual impact that is aesthetically pleasing. The clear plastic wrap allows you to see the gift presentation immediately upon receiving it.

Tissue Paper with Plastic

Purchasing tissue paper can become costly as a wrapping material, and from an environmental standpoint, the use of tissue paper can be seen as wasteful and unnecessary. Recycle plastic bags received from grocery stores and department stores as tissue paper in gift bags. The bags add the same protective cushion as tissue paper and when crumpled up, act effectively as a shield to disguise the gift until it is opened. Use a variety of colored bags from different stores to add to the visual effect.

Textbooks

Textbooks often are required to be covered if lent out from a school. You may also want to cover the ones you own to preserve them and keep them in good condition. Instead of purchasing covering paper, utilize paper you already have, such as wrapping paper or paper grocery bags. Paper is the ideal material over plastic for this scenario because the clean lines folded paper creates allows you to seamlessly cover the edges of the book, keeping the covering in place more securely than plastic. Paper covers allow the user to color and decorate the covers as she desires, allowing for some creative expression that plastic would not retain.

Packing Material

Crumpled plastic bags make for an ideal packing and wrapping material when moving delicate objects, much the same way as packing peanuts would. Cushion delicate and fragile objects, such as dishes and glass objects, with crumpled plastic bags. The crumpled or balled-up plastic helps create a safe space between fragile items. The advantage over paper is that crumpled plastic bags will likely capture some air in its pockets while paper will not, giving an additional air cushion between fragile items much like bubble wrap.

References

• Bukisa: Ten ways to reuse paper and plastic store bags
• NY Times: World Business: Heather Timmons