6 Sustainable Gift Wrapping Ideas

Did you know that every year, Canadians send approx. 540,000 tonnes of wrapping paper and bags to the landfill? That’s equivalent to 100,000 elephants.

In Manitoba, the following holiday wrapping items can’t go in your blue bin:

-Wrapping paper

-Bows and ribbon

-Holiday gift bags

-Tissue paper

-Plastic shopping bags

This holiday season, reduce waste by using what you already have in your home to wrap your sustainable gifts. Here are some examples:

Calendar: For smaller gifts, use the paper from last year’s calendar!

Map: Have an old map kicking around your house that you don’t use anymore? These make great wrapping paper.

Newspaper/Flyer: Collect old newspapers or flyers to wrap your gifts with. Be sure to use minimal tape (and remove the tape before recycling the paper). Colorful comics make especially fun wrapping.

Reusable Bag: Either use a bag you already have, or purchase a holiday theme reusable bag to use for years to come.

Tea Towel or Scrap Material: Use a towel or scrap material you have lying around the house. Be sure the material gets reused again after (by you or the recipient).

Scarf: Use a scarf. You can either take the scarf back at the end of the night, or give it to the recipient as part of their gift.