Sustainable Wrapping Paper That's Easy to Find
Wrapping paper has to be one of the worst environmental offenders in terms of waste - it's entire purpose is to be ripped off and thrown away. If we all wanted to be good stewards of the earth, we would stop wrapping presents and instead give them in bags that people can re-use the next time they have a present to give.
That being said, there is something special about giving or receiving a gift shrouded in mystery (aka wrapping paper), that just isn't satisfied by hiding it in a bag. If you feel this way, try using newspaper instead of wrapping paper and putting a bow on top that can be re-used by the giftee. While this may seem tacky, it is actually really cute, and newspaper is 100% recyclable.
This is a great way to make a statement and be kind to the earth without having to sacrifice the little pleasures we all love so much, like ripping open a gift you have been waiting for all year.
Shira K. says:
My best friend has always wrapped my gifts in magazine pages. Glossy, stylish, and sometimes very funny! I usually just tell my friends to just close their eyes and open their hands. Eyelids make great wrapping paper too.
Ilana G. says:
I like to use old posters for wrapping paper, i.e. if I have gotten them as freebies.