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Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Wrap It Up and Recycle It: Your Gift Wrap Doesn’t Have to Go to Waste

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Don’t Toss That Wrapping Paper: Here’s How to Recycle It Responsibly

With the holiday season just around the corner, many of us are already thinking about wrapping gifts. But what happens to all that wrapping paper after the festivities are over? While it may seem like most wrapping paper ends up in the trash bin, experts say there are easy ways to recycle it responsibly, and it’s good for the planet.

A recent YouTube video promoting sustainable practices provided helpful tips on how to determine if your wrapping paper is recyclable. According to the video, "If there’s no silver or gold foil in the paper, there’s no glitter and it’s not coated in plastic, you can recycle it after you take off the tape. You can tell if the paper is plastic if it rips really easily." In this case, the paper is usually thin and may be coated in plastic, making it difficult to recycle.

The video also highlighted the "crumple test." This simple test allows people to quickly determine whether their wrapping paper is recyclable. "If you take a piece of wrapping paper and you crumple it up into a ball and it stays in the ball, then it’s most likely paper,” according to the video. By contrast, plastic-coated paper will tend to retain its original shape after crumpling.

It’s important to note that even recyclable wrapping paper should be free of ribbons, bows, sticky tape, and other non-paper decorations before being placed in the recycling bin.

"It’s definitely best to always reuse something that you have from last year or to upcycle an old magazine," the video advises. "But if you have this kind of wrapping paper where there’s no silver or gold foil in the paper, then you can recycle it."

By taking the time to understand the proper guidelines for recycling wrapping paper, we can all do our part to reduce waste and make the holidays a bit greener.

The Great Wrapping Paper Debate: Can You Recycle It?

The holiday season is a time for joy, family, and, of course, mountains of brightly colored wrapping paper. But as the festivities wind down, a question arises: what do we do with all this paper? Many of us are accustomed to tossing it in the recycling bin, but that’s not always the right answer. This year, let’s dive into the wrapping paper recycling mystery and see if our holiday gift wrap can truly go green.

Key Takeaways

  • Not all wrapping paper is recyclable: The presence of foil, glitter, or plastic coatings makes the paper unsuitable for recycling.
  • The Crumple Test is your friend: A quick and easy way to determine if wrapping paper is recyclable is to crumple it up. If it stays in a ball, it’s likely paper and can be recycled. If it tries to spring back to its original shape, it likely contains plastic and cannot be recycled.
  • Look for the "recyclable" symbol: Many brands are now labeling their wrapping paper as recyclable. However, double-checking the crumple test is still recommended.
  • Reusing and Upcycling are always better: The most eco-friendly approach is to reuse wrapping paper from previous years or to create new wrapping materials from old magazines, fabric scraps, or even newspaper.

The Wrapping Paper Recycling Rules

While many people assume wrapping paper is universally recyclable, it’s not that simple. The key lies in understanding the composition of the paper.

What Makes Wrapping Paper Non-Recyclable?

  • Foil: Wrapping paper embellished with foil is not recyclable. The foil cannot be separated from the paper during the recycling process, contaminating the entire batch.
  • Glitter: Glitter is made from finely ground plastic, which also cannot be separated from the paper.
  • Plastic coatings: Some types of wrapping paper are coated with plastic to make them shiny or waterproof. These coatings can be difficult to remove and make the paper unsuitable for recycling.

The Crumple Test: A Quick and Easy Test for Recyclability

The crumple test is a great way to identify the recyclable wrapping paper from the non-recyclable.

  1. Grab a small piece of wrapping paper.
  2. Crumple it tightly in your hand.
  3. Observe the result: If the wrapping paper stays in a ball, it’s mainly paper and can be recycled. If it tries to spring back to its original shape, it likely contains plastic and cannot be recycled.

Looking for the "Recyclable" Symbol

Many brands are now marking their wrapping paper with a "Recyclable" symbol. However, it’s still wise to double-check with the crumple test.

Beyond Recycling: Embrace Reusing and Upcycling

While recycling is a great option for truly recyclable wrapping paper, reusing and upcycling are even better choices. They minimize waste and encourage creativity!

The Power of Reusing

  • Save last year’s wrapping paper: Many wrapping papers are sturdy enough to withstand multiple uses.
  • Store gift bags and bows: Reusing colorful bags and ribbons from previous gifts adds a touch of festivity and reduces the need for new ones.

Unlocking the Potential of Upcycling

  • Upcycle old magazines and newspapers: Newspapers can be used as wrapping paper, while magazines can be turned into stylish wrapping paper by cutting and gluing colourful pages together.
  • Fabric scraps for a creative touch: Use fabric remnants to make unique wrapping paper.
  • Embrace the beauty of natural materials: Use brown paper bags or natural materials like leaves, flowers, or dried twigs to create rustic and eco-friendly wrapping.

Tips for Recycling Wrapping Paper Correctly:

  1. Remove any tape and ribbons: Tape and ribbons are not recyclable and can contaminate the paper stream.
  2. Crumple the paper: Crushing the paper into a ball makes it easier to transport and handles.
  3. Check local recycling guidelines: Some municipalities have specific rules regarding wrapping paper, so it’s always best to check with your local recycling service.

The Bottom Line

Making conscious choices during the holidays can have a significant environmental impact. Opting for recyclable wrapping paper or even better, reusing and upcycling existing materials, contributes to a more sustainable festive season. Remember, the crumple test is a simple way to ensure you’re not placing non-recyclable paper in your recycling bin. This holiday season, let’s celebrate with joy, family, and a commitment to caring for our planet.

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Alex Kim
Alex Kim
Alex Kim is a financial analyst with expertise in evaluating and interpreting analyst ratings on various stocks.

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