A major part of the holiday waste is the wrapping from all those gifts and decorations we use. To make this Christmas an eco-Christmas, instead of using store-bought paper consider some more eco-friendly options for wrapping this holiday season.
Brown postal paper is a clean and cheap way to wrap any gift you have. This thick, durable wrapping can be individually decorated with markers, stamps, crayons, or any craft materials you have. What’s better is, not only is this paper free of additional chemical dyes, but it can be used for any occasion, helping save on the many roles of specialty wrapping paper usually bought year-round. Postal paper is also durable enough to create boxes out of, and even be re-used either by you or the recipient. All in all, it’s a great way to wrap happy!
Newspaper is also a classic when wrapping gifts. Since it’s already recycled, newsprint is void of any additional environmental waste. Naturally, colour comics are usually the most popular for wrapping, but by using watercolors you can spice up even the dullest black and white page, and like postal paper, newsprint is not just recycled, but completely recyclable, which is the biggest step when it comes to reducing unnecessary waste.
But many find these dull papers just to dreary for the holidays. While I think brown paper enhances the mystery of gift-giving, you can try paint, ink, or fabrics.
Many stores have also begun selling recycled wrapping paper, including the beautiful Red Stamp. Recycled wrapping has all the benefits of traditional wrapping papers, it is simply reformed from old paper, making it a sustainable product.
Natural cloth ribbon is another step you can take to make the holidays a little friendlier. Plain jute or hemp twine can make a package look tidy, while cotton or cloth ribbon can be a lovely way to add colour as well. Just remember to avoid cheap plastic ribbon or wrapping. While it can look shiny, it can cause serious health problems not just for household pets, but for any animal that tries to ingest it. Besides that, plastic ribbon and wrapping isn’t biodegradable, unlike jute, hemp and cotton, which can be recycled or composted.
Making your own cards is another way to cut down on excess paper waste. Printer paper, or even leftover postal paper combined with colorful stamps, markers, or fabric makes the holidays original and fun. If you have young children, consider letting them decorate the cards this year. Just remember, there is a host of ways to make this year’s gift-wrapping (and gift-giving) less consumable and just as festive!
I am an junior English major/ Philosophy minor at Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland. Currently I am spending the spring of 2009 studying at the University College Cork in Cork, Ireland.
