Which Types of Wrapping Paper Can Be Recycled?

Can you simply toss wrapping paper into the recycling bin? What about the ribbons, labels, and tape attached to it? Should you remove these and dispose of them separately? Even if you do that, are all types of wrapping paper recyclable?

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We've got answers to make your life easier this festive season.

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Is Wrapping Paper Recyclable?

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Well, it depends. Put simply, if the wrapping paper is only made from 100% paper, you can recycle it. But if it contains decoration materials such as glitter, ribbons, bows, metallic flakes, or plastic coating, it’s not recyclable.

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In other words, the fancier the paper, the lesser the chances that it can be recycled.

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Another way to find out if the wrapping paper is recyclable is to do the scrunch test. Simply squeeze the gift wrap into a ball. If the ball keeps its shape, it’s recyclable. But if it springs back into a flat form, then it cannot.

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Also read: 11 Secondhand Gift Ideas for a More Sustainable Holiday

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How to Recycle Wrapping Paper

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If the wrapping paper is non-recyclable, reuse it. Instead of excitedly tearing open gifts, carefully unwrap them. This approach allows you to reuse the paper and, as a bonus, keeps ribbons and decorative elements intact.

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For recyclable wrapping paper you don't plan to reuse, remove all ribbons, gift tags, tape, and decorations before recycling. It's best to do this as you open gifts—tackling it all later can be overwhelming and may lead to inaction.

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Check whether your local municipality accepts wrapping paper for recycling. If not, it will end up in a landfill.

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As an alternative, you can order a Zero Waste Box™ from TerraCycle. Place it in your apartment building or office for communal use.

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Recycling facilities transform wrapping paper into various paper-based products, including paperboard, toilet paper, paper towels, egg cartons, grocery bags, and greeting cards.

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Sustainable Alternatives to Wrapping Paper

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Recycling is great but it still needs energy and resources to collect, transport, sort and recycle stuff. So before you recycle, consider doing the following to further reduce the impact:

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Wrap Efficiently

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If you already have a roll of non-recyclable wrapping paper, don't discard it. Instead, use it efficiently. Wrap gifts conservatively to maximize each sheet. While it's tempting to use more paper than necessary, with practice you'll become adept at minimizing waste. You can find online tutorials for clever wrapping techniques that help save paper.

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Also read: 20 Eco-Friendly, Sustainable Gift Ideas That Won't Break the Bank

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Ditch the Wrapping Paper

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Rather than wrapping your gifts in wrapping paper, consider using alternatives such as fabric swatches, construction paper, baskets, or even old newspapers. Try learning the art of Furoshiki, a sustainable and traditional Japanese cloth-folding technique that allows you to wrap objects of various shapes and sizes. Check out these 7 Free, Easy Ideas for Eco-Friendly Gift Wrap.

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Gift Experiences

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Instead of physical gifts, you can create lasting memories by gifting experiences. This way, you won’t need any wrapping paper and it would help you foster a deeper connection without the clutter. Here are 10 Ideas for Giftable Experiences.

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