How to Wrap a Gift the Green Way

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By Lindsay Evans
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an eco-friendly way to wrap a gift

Wrapping paper, bows, ribbon, fancy cards....these items may make a package pretty, but they go directly in the trash after just one quick use. Go green when you wrap gifts and know you are saving money, resources, and trash by doing so. Plenty of unique green ideas are presented below so you don't have to resort to wrapping your gift in newspaper.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Buy recycled or un-bleached wrapping paper and gift bags. Beautiful wrapping paper made from post-consumer waste and renewable fibers can be found online or in specialty shops. Favorite online retailers include Paporganics and Green Field Paper Company (see links below). You can also pick up unbleached package paper at the post office or office supply store. For small gifts, cut a paper grocery sack so it lies flat and wrap the present so the un-printed side shows. Purchase unbleached gift bags - or just brown paper lunch sacks - and decorate with stamps, photographs, or re-usable cloth ribbon.
Step 2

Get creative with paper you have on hand. Wrapping paper can be made from children's artwork, magazine advertisements, maps, even junk mail.
Step 3

Wrap the gift in biodegradable packaging. Gift bags made of easily biodegradable material can be re-used or thrown in the compost pile. Burlap gift bags and paperless wrap are two options (see paporganics link for more information).
Step 4

Re-use gift bags and wrapping paper. When you recieve gifts, open them carefully to be able to use the wrap or gift bag again. When you hang on to gift bags you and your family receive, you will quickly have an on-hand stock of bags to use for your next gift.
Step 5

Wrap gifts in part of the gift itself. A gift for your favorite cook can come wrapped in new kitchen towels, a sturdy basket can hold an assortment of goodies for a friend or co-worker, a baby gift can be wrapped in a soft blanket. You can wrap your mom's present in a beautiful new scarf or give a buddy a new re-usable water bottle filled with earth-friendly goodies.
Step 6

Green your tape. Conventional gift-wrap tape contains polyvinyl chloride, which releases carcinogenic compounds when produced. Cellulouse tape, available online at greenearthofficesupply.com (link below) is an affordable alternative. Also look for eco-friendly gummed paper tape.
Step 7

Handmake small gift cards. Instead of buying a fancy greeting card that plays an annoying song or makes a rude-but-slightly-funny joke, just make your own cards from recycled paper. Decorate cards with stamps, pictures, small beads, or cloth ribbon. Online print shops carry a fun selection of recycled-paper cards (see Resources below).

Comments

szilvi said

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on 2/9/2009 I love the furoshikis, the fabric giftwrapping (used to be a japanese tradition) because you reuse them. The same way you reuse your paper bags, except these don't look used and cheap! ;-) And now there is a website that does the same thing in a western style: ModernFuroshiki.com

lildutchgirl56 said

on 11/17/2008 What a wonderful way to go green.Thanks

CandisLynn said

on 11/4/2008 What great tips, Lindsay. So many different ideas to consider for wrapping in an environmentally and economically friendly way. I like to use comics from the newspaper to wrap ;)

Thanks and 5 stars!