How to wrap gifts sustainably?
To wrap your gifts in a sustainable, creative, and affordable way, you don’t need to buy anything. You already have most of the items at home: newspaper, magazines, string or yarn, boxes… We’ve created a Pinterest board where we’ve compiled all the gift-wrapping ideas.
PAPER BAGS, CARDBOARD OR WOODEN BOXES
Wrap your gifts in cardboard boxes, wooden boxes, or paper bags. You don’t have to buy them; reuse the ones you have at home. For example: boxes from online orders you’ve received. Pretty paper bags you keep in a drawer. A wooden box that used to hold wine bottles. Sharpen your ingenuity!
Newspaper or magazines
There’s no need to buy rolls of wrapping paper. Reduce your paper consumption by reusing old newspapers and magazines. The results will amaze you! For a special touch, you can tie the package with a string or yarn and add a decorative element.
Sustainable wrapping with fabrics. Furoshiki
Furoshiki is a traditional Japanese rectangular cloth. It’s traditionally used to wrap and transport all kinds of objects, from clothing and gifts to glass bottles. A curious fact: the Japanese Ministry of the Environment has launched several campaigns to promote the use of furoshiki to protect and care for the environment. Here yo. can see different techniques for wrapping with cloth. You can use a scrap of fabric, a scarf, or even a pretty tea towel.
Sustainable Kraft Wrapping Paper
If you don’t have newspapers, magazines, or other papers stored away, the most sustainable alternative to wrapping paper is kraft paper, also known as brown wrapping paper. A thick, brown paper. The best option is to choose 100% recycled and recyclable kraft paper.
SEAL THE PACKAGE STRING, WOOL, PAPER TAPE
When sealing the package, you can use sta string, wool, a piece of cloth, etc. But if these options don’t appeal to you, we recommend biodegradable kraft paper tape with a natural rubber adhesive. The eco-friendly and sustainable alternative is PVC or polypropylene tape: Celo, Cello, Fixo, Fiso, etc. (each one has a different name). All of these PVC tapes can be recycled.
Natural elements for decoration
To replace the typical colorful ribbon (made of plastic), we suggest using leaves from the park, twigs, dried citrus fruits, or reusing some decorative item you have at home… With a little imagination, your wrapping paper will not only be sustainable, but also beautiful.
Wrapping that is part of the gift.
Glass jars, cloth bags… Useful packaging! This way, you don’t generate any waste. It’s time to use your imagination again and create easily reusable combinations. For example: a bar of soap wrapped in a towel, a cologne in a handkerchief, a thermos inside a cloth bag…
We hope you enjoyed our ideas for sustainable, plastic-free gift wrapping! If you’re still unsure what to give, we recommend visiting the guide to sustainable gift giving this Christmas in the Esturirfi online store. You’ll find tons of ideas to make this Christmas the most sustainable ever.
