What is better - Beautiful Packaging Or No Packaging?
Tearing apart wrapping paper is undoubtedly among the most exhilarating moments that both adults and children enjoy. It brings a layer of glitz to the presents and conveys holiday cheer. However, as the gifts are received and unwrapped, the excitement dissipates and all that remains is a heap of waste. What comes next then?
The festive season, along with all the shopping, wrapping, and celebration, significantly multiplies the quantity of trash we produce. The holidays are associated with several ecological concerns, ranging from unnecessary retailing to polyethylene cutlery, waste generation, non-biodegradable wrapping papers, and so on. Wrapping paper comes under what the EDA (U.S. Economic Development Administration) describes as articles that are disposed of in the same year that the things they enclose are acquired. According to the agency’s report, containers and packaging accounted for 41.9 million tonnes of municipal solid waste (MSW), with 82.2 million tonnes in 2018. And out of that, a heaping 6,440 metric tonnes of garbage went to landfills.
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that wrapping papers (especially during the holidays) pose a serious threat to the environment. As consumers, we can be more conscious during the festive season to reduce our ecological consequences.
But how?
Gift sustainable items and wrap them with homemade wrapping paper. Or better yet, use no wrapping paper. Keeping it simple is the best way to have a green holiday-- you can save money, prevent holiday stress, and reduce waste.
Make use of what you already own. Check within your home for creative ways to wrap gifts that are both attractive and waste-free.
Cloth/ Fabric
Repurpose what you already own to wrap the presents-- shawls, handkerchiefs, tote bags, pillow covers, bandannas, or even tea towels. You can also buy organic cotton products from sustainable brands to give your loved ones wrap-free gifts. It is a great alternative because you will not only be wasting paper but also supporting the brands that value environmental ethics— two birds with one stone! GOTS & Fairtrade certified canvas bags are high-quality, eco-friendly, and long-lasting gifts that everyone on the list would appreciate. These sustainable bags are also shipped with unnecessary packaging-- green mission accomplished!
Old Newspapers
According to research by the University of Southern Indiana, if every American recycled one-tenth of old newspapers every year, around 25,000,000 trees can be saved. Old newspapers are outdated, no longer in use, but have a lovely vintage aesthetic that everyone raves about on social media platforms these days. The ultimate bonus? They make great present wrappers.
Custom Mesh Bags Made of Organic Cloth
Wrap a present in reusable mesh bags to give as a gift; you won't be disappointed. A homemade handcrafted bag or a drawstring muslin bag tied securely with a thread makes a lovely packaging alternative that is not just sustainable but also visually appealing.
Baskets
Locally-made baskets are handy and easily available at many thrift stores. Getting a basket large enough to accommodate the gift is a green way to put a smile on the receiver’s face and also allow them to repurpose the basket.
Paper Cartons
With the increase of internet retail in today’s modern age, there's a great possibility you have a pile of cartons lying somewhere in the corner of your house. These modest paper cartons are mostly overlooked, but throwing in a nice paint, yarn, wire, or fabric ribbon to decorate them will transform them into eccentric gift boxes. Two words— sustainable and eye-catching.
Packaging Bag Gift
Reusable produce bags, mesh bags, muslin bags, customized cosmetic bags made of 100% organic cotton are fantastic options in terms of sustainability. What makes this option highly pro-sustainability is that they are not only gift packages but are a gift themselves-- fill them with presents or gift them as it is. It is a win-win situation!
The No-Wrap Gift
The epitome of sustainable wrapping is skipping the wrapping entirely. Hand the gift over personally or if you want it to be a surprise, leave it in their mailbox with a small note. It is an excellent solution for sustainability and also adds to the surprising delight of holiday gifts.
Sustainable Holiday Shopping Ideas And Tips
Purchase environmentally responsible items manufactured from organic or recycled materials. Consider handicraft stores, orchards, and nearby locally-run stores.
Choose gift items that motivate people to consume less— books on climate change, repurposing old things, sustainable DIYs, etc.
If you must buy presents for the holidays, shop close to home or feasible areas with a variety of establishments to save energy and reduce transportation emissions.
Buy presents that can be recycled, reused, and endure a long time.
Consider gifts that don't necessitate the use of batteries or electricity.
Vintage apparel, pre-loved clothes, musical instruments are ideal for eco-friendly gifting.
Instead of physical presents, you can also consider digital gift cards so that the receiver can purchase something they need.
Choose homemade gifts over store-bought items. You can knit stoles and mittens or bake cakes, cookies, and other edible treats to gift your friends and families (everyone loves sweet treats!)
Donate to non-profit charities in the name of your loved ones.
Before you step out for shopping, carry your own reusable cotton tote bags to avoid using plastic bags from the store. If you are a brand owner use custom reusable bags to gift them.
Sustainable Gift Wrapping Ideas And Tips
Rather than wrapping gifts, use a fabric thread or lace to tie a knot over the product.
Make gift-wrapping a part of the gift itself.
Flower pots filled with landscaping tools as a gift are another great alternative to the traditional wrapping method.
Choose plush packaging using things you already have, including scarves, pillowcases, or tea towels.
Using tree-free wrapping paper and holiday cards is more environmentally friendly than using regular wrapping paper.
Replace paper wraps with small post/note cards to avoid wasting paper.
Be resourceful when it comes to repurposing old materials. Use old maps, posters, children's artwork, magazines, and calendars to replace wrapping papers.
Coil a rope around the present over tying it with plastic ribbons.
Avoid metallic or plastic wrapping paper as they are not recycle-friendly.
Send e-cards instead of paper cards to avoid buying/ using traditional cards.
Conclusion
Sustainable gifts are a non-traditional method of sharing and caring for loved ones while avoiding the use of standard wrapping paper. It is a green trend that tries to minimize the environmental impact of gift-giving. Consider recycled paper or embroidered canvas gift bags that can be reused many times to reduce waste. If you receive a gift with wrapping paper, unwrap it carefully so that you can repurpose the paper later. These are some of the effective ways we can show our love for people and the planet.