Alternatives to wrapping paper.

Posted this last year and too old to bump, but wanted to remind people to try and think of the earth this holiday season. I added a few more things in here, some more inexpensive and less wasteful alternatives to wrapping

From an article: "Wrapping paper, from an ecological point of view, is a pretty worthless use of trees."

"In the U.S., an additional 5 million tons of waste is generated during the holidays. Four million tons of this is wrapping paper and shopping bags."

I've always disliked using wrapping paper... for many years now, I've wrapped gifts in the comics, newspaper, grocery store brown paper bags, magazines, reused giftwrap I've taken from others, or reusable gift bags. I find a way to make it still look attractive, and anyway - it gets ripped off in a few seconds!

Why use alternatives? Incredibly wasteful. My mom is a teacher and on a school trip they visited a dump.. they were told that wrapping paper is one of the most wasteful and plentiful things they see in a dump - and VERY slow to decompose. It can often be difficult to find a location to recycle your wrapping paper because of the materials are typically non-recyclable.

"People in the trash business will tell you: Wrapping paper is just solid waste with a pretty face."

For those of you who need pretty wrapping... how about trying this:
Use a very pretty envirosax reusable bag - which then also becomes part of of the gift!:

This video and blog [envirosax.com] inspired me to create this post:

Wrap your presents in an envirosax reusable bag [youtube.com]


Here is a thread for envirosax bags

(FYI I personally LOVE my envirosax bags... they're tiny, I keep 2 in my bag and use them for groceries, department store purchases or an extra bag. They're VERY pretty and I get tons of compliments. So they make a very nice gift, in addition to very pretty, environmental wrapping).

Or wayy cheaper, these ELF bags. [eyeslipsface.com]

Envirosax cute kid's bags for $3 at Target (when added to another order with free shipping over $50, plus 20% off $75)

Red one [target.com]

Pink one [target.com]

Just suggestions - there are many very attractive reusable bags at all kinds of stores one can use. I just saw some really pretty ones at homegoods.


Another article about wasteful wrapping paper. [earth911.com]

Please remember this holiday season: REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

Anyone else have more earth-friendly ways to wrap?