Did you know Aussies use over 150,000 kilometres of wrapping paper each Christmas? That's enough to wrap around the planet four times!As you can imagine, most of this wrapping paper winds up at the landfill. Unfortunately, even the stuff that doesn’t may not be landing in the right facility either. 

So, whats the right way to dispose of all that festive paper? Worry not! We've got the responsible disposal tips and six zero-waste swaps to keep your gifts eco-friendly an your conscious clear! 

How to Dispose of Gift Wrap

Whether you you've just received a gift or you’re still using up last years holiday wrapping paper for your friends and family, it’s important to recognise that not all gift wrapping belongs in your recycling bin.So what can you recycle, what can you compost, and what belongs in your kerbside waste bin? Let’s take a closer look!

1. Wrapping Paper

Wrapping paper is perhaps the most commonly confused wrapping material for disposal.It’s paper, so that means it belongs in your recycling bin, right?! Well… it depends. 

Most wrapping paper actually has a plastic coating, this is where the fancy glossy, metallic, or even velvety textures come from. A good way to test if your wrapping paper is in fact paper, is to use the scrunch test. If your wrapping paper can be made into a ball (and stays scrunched up) then it’s a safe bet for recycling! 

So what can you do with wrapping paper that has a plastic coating? If you can, gently unwrap your gift and simply reuse the paper! When it’s no longer reusable, these papers unfortunately belong in your regular rubbish bin. 

2. Gift Bags 

Gift bags are a major contributor to waste during the Christmas season, with 52% off Aussies buy gift bags for their Christmas wrapping.

Similar to your wrapping paper, your gift bags are only recyclable if they don’t contain any of those fancy finishes and textures.Fortunately, gift bags are one of the easiest wrapping items to reuse! Stash any salvageable gift bags into your wrapping collection and when the bag is past its prime, toss it in your rubbish bin. 

3. Bows & Ribbons

Bows and ribbons are perfect for dressing up your gifts to impress. Unfortunately, most bows are made with plastics, staples, tape, and glue, all of which do not belong in the recycling bin.Ribbons, on the other hand, can sometimes be made from recyclable materials, but they aren’t necessarily welcome at your nearest recycling plant.Because ribbons are so long and thin, they can get caught up in machines and cause major problems pretty darn quick. 

Luckily, both aresuper reusable. Simply re-stick bows to gifts usingplastic-free tape and smooth out those fancy ribbons until they can’t be salvaged anymore! At the end of their life, all of these decorative pieces belong in the bin. 

4. Cards 

You’ve probably already guessed that the answer to this question is another big fat ‘it depends’.Again, the elements that make cards look pretty and feel unique are often made with non-paper fibres. This means they will need to go into your bin instead of recycling. Of course, you can always find fun ways to reuse such as trimming them into custom gift tags for your future present giving! 

Cards made completely from paper, on the other hand, can be recycled! If you’re looking for a more sustainable card for your Christmas gifting, seed cards are a great alternative!

5. Gift Boxes

When it comes to responsible gift wrap, boxes are by far one of the easiest materials to dispose of. This is because almost all gift boxes can be confidently placed into your recycling bin (after reuse, of course)!

Just remember to flatten your boxes before placing them in your recycling bin and to remove any plastic tape! If you’ve gone withplastic-free tape, go ahead and leave your sustainable sticky friend in place. 

6. Tissue Paper

Tissue paper is a deceiving material. Although itfeels papery, tissue ‘paper’ can’t actually be recycled like normal paper. Fortunately, it can be composted. The only catch is that it needs to be plain tissue with no sparkles or confetti. 

Reuse tissue paper for as long as possible, then when it's looking worn and torn, simply tear it into small pieces and place it in yourhome compost. 

Your Go-To Guide for Zero-Waste Gift Wrapping 

While disposing of your gift wrapping responsibly is a giant step in the right direction, the best way to care for our planet is to reduce waste at the source. Here's our six favourite zero-waste or low-waste gift wrapping alternatives to try this Christmas!

1. Paper Perfection

The best course to take with your wrapping paper is to skip the fancy finishes and textures.A simple solution is to use old newspapers, repurpose your recycled wrapping papers, or even reuse a brown paper bag from the grocery store! 

If you’re worried these paper packages won’t be festive enough under your tree, get creative with colours by using toxin-free paints and crayons to dress them up. If you’re not particularly crafty, our recycledwrapping paper and paper tape is a responsible yet beautiful way to dress your gifts! Check out how we made the dried orange below here.

2. Festive Fabric

If you don’t have any paper on hand, turn to your old clothes or fabric scraps for a fun and festive fabric wrap!Tie up yourfabric creations with twine, scrap fabric ribbon, or whatever else you can find to keep your gifts looking fresh and fab under the tree! The best part about fabric wrap is that you can collect it all and reuse it next year! 

3. Reusable Bags

Take reusing gift bags one step further by packing your gifts into reusable grocery bags, tote bags, or even reusable produce bags!These clever bags will come in handy again and again, making them an affordable and practical option for gift wrapping!

 

 

 

4. Cardboard Boxes

Whether you pack your gifts into the delivery boxes they arrived in or reuse other cardboard boxes, these recyclable beauties are always a fantastic option for hiding away your special surprises! 

5. Elements from Nature

Perfect for dressing up any of your sustainable wrapping swaps! Use flowers from your garden, grass braided into ribbon, or any other natural elements to wrap and beautify your gifts.The best part about these decorations is that they can be composted after the gifts are opened!

6. Use Part of the Gift

Depending on your gift, you may be able to use parts of the present to wrap the whole thing up!

Find clever folding methods for clothing, pack your cosmetic gifts into a pretty makeup pouch, or hold it all together with clever and usefulbeeswax or vegan wax wraps! The sky is the limit, and not a single piece will hit the rubbish!

Wrap It Up the Low-Waste Way 

From recycling tricky paper to sustainable gift wrapping alternatives that cut waste altogether, there’s plenty you can do to keep your holiday wrapping planet-friendly.

Got clever wrapping hacks? Share them with friends and help your whole gifting circle stay festive without trashing the planet.

With Love,
Ellie xo

Frequently Asked Gift Wrapping Questions 

 

1. Can I recycle wrapping paper?

Only plain paper wrapping without glitter, foil, or plastic coatings can go in the recycling bin. Use the scrunch test: if it stays crumpled, it’s usually recyclable. Plastic-coated or glossy paper should be reused if possible or disposed of in general waste.

2. How should I dispose of gift bags?

Gift bags without metallic finishes or plastics can be recycled, just make sure to remove any fabric handles. Otherwise, reuse them for future gifts until they wear out, then place them in the correct waste bin.

3. Are ribbons and bows recyclable?

Most ribbons and bows are made from plastics or contain glue and staples, making them non-recyclable. Reuse until worn (plastic free tape can help secure them), then dispose of in general waste. Q4: Can I recycle greeting cards?

4. Can I recycle greeting cards?

Only fully paper-based cards are recyclable. Cards with glitter, foil, or other non-paper elements should go in general waste. Reuse cards by cutting them into gift tags or opt for seed paper cards for sustainability.

5. Can I recycle gift boxes?

Cardboard gift boxes are widely recyclable after removing non-paper elements. Plastic-free tape can stay on, but flatten the box before placing it in recycling.

6. Can tissue paper be composted?

Plain tissue paper without sparkles or confetti can be composted. Tear it into small pieces to speed up decomposition.

7. What are low-waste or zero-waste gift wrapping options?

Use recycled wrapping paper, newspapers, or brown paper bags. Fabric wraps, reusable bags, cardboard boxes, natural elements like flowers or twine, and parts of the gift itself (like pouches or wax wraps) are all sustainable alternatives.

8. Is plastic tape a problem for eco-wrapping?

Yes, traditional plastic tape is not recyclable. Opt for paper-based, compostable, or water-activated tape to keep your wrapping eco-friendly.

9. How can I make gifts look festive without creating waste?

Get creative with natural decorations, eco-friendly paints, crayons, fabric ribbons, or reusable gift bags. Functional parts of the gift, like pouches or wraps, can also double as packaging.