Yes, you can recycle Christmas wrapping paper unless it's metallic, has glitter or has velvet flocks. Wrapping paper can generally be recycled if it's simple and simple, it's not laminated, it's made from recycled materials, and it's not too thin. When paper is extremely thin, it has few good quality fibers to recycle. A common mistake that many people make during the holidays is loading their recycling bins with wrapping paper, tissues, tapes, and more.
Unfortunately, glossy laminated paper is, in fact, not recyclable in most cases. Including it in the bin with other paper products can make an entire load unrecyclable. Lots of wrapping paper appear after everyone has opened the holiday presents, but is it recyclable? Opening gifts together with loved ones is often a joyous part of the holiday season, but it can also lead to a lot of additional waste. With lots of shiny Christmas paper, ribbons, boxes and gift bags, some may wonder how to dispose of all the leftovers.
Paper gift wrapping is often not recyclable when it has a glossy coating or laminate, in the U.S. UU. Some gift papers are very thin and contain few good quality fibers for recycling, according to the website. A lot of wrapping paper still has adhesive tape on it, which also makes recycling difficult.
Ultimately, people may want to consult their city's recycling regulations to confirm how to dispose of different types of gift wrap this season. EcoEnclose, which offers eco-friendly packaging and shipping supplies, says some will accept them through recycling and others may request that residents leave them in a special location. As for tissue paper, some municipalities also accept tissue paper for recycling or may ask people to compost their tissue paper (with minimal printing). While there's nothing more festive than a superbly wrapped gift, traditional ribbons and bows that are usually made of polyester or nylon aren't recyclable, according to EcoEnclose.
Other recommended ways to adorn a gift include using old Christmas cards as gift tags or even natural pineapples or hemp twine to finish the gift. Gift bags can be a great alternative to wrapping paper, as they're easy to reuse and work well when you place multiple things in a single package. But just like wrapping paper, shiny, foil-lined gift bags aren't usually recyclable, according to EcoEnclose. Gifts that want to be greener this year should avoid glossy boxes that are likely to have a coating, making them difficult to recycle or not recyclable at all, according to EcoEnclose.
If the boxes are made with paper and do not include polyethylene or metal additions, they are usually recyclable on the sidewalk. People should flatten the boxes, remove the foam or filler from the inside or any excess adhesives, and then leave the box in the recycling bin next to the curb. The EPA and other agencies often encourage families to reuse gift bags, boxes and tissue paper. Normal, 100% recycled Kraft wrapping paper is easily recyclable and even compostable, according to EcoEnclose.
There are other eco-friendly gift wrapping ideas, including the Japanese tradition of wrapping Furoshiki gifts with multifunctional cloths. This story was reported from Cincinnati.
