Skip to main content

Zero Waste Gift Wrapping Ideas

Between Thanksgiving and New Years, Americans produce about 25% more trash than usual. But our traditions don't have to be wasteful!

Wrapping paper is a major culprit in our seasonal uptick in trash.  It is not recyclable at our local facilities (although it is reusable, if you unwrap carefully!). Most wrapping paper is coated with foil or plastic; it's not just paper, so we can't recycle it. 

Think about it-- why do we buy a product that's meant to be torn up and thrown away? By being creative and reusing materials you already have lying around the house, wrapping presents can become a fun, seasonal craft project while you create lasting traditions. 

Here are some of the best ways to wrap a present without wrapping paper. 

1. Use scrap paper: paper shopping bags, old maps, newspaper, or calendar pages can all make cute and fun gift wrap. 

Gift wrapped in map paper with twine bow on top of a map.

2. Use an inside-out chip bag: simply turn a used chip bag inside out, clean off the grease, and use the inside shiny side to make a pretty, metallic gift wrap!

A hand holding a gift wrapped in silver paper with a red ribbon, in front of a decorated Christmas tree.

3. Use a shoe box: a shoe box is the perfect blank canvas to turn into a special-looking gift. This can be especially good for young kids or anyone else who might struggle with opening gift wrap.

A decorative box with a white lid featuring black swirls, black base, and pink heart accents.

4. Use old fabric scraps: an easy way to repurpose clothes with holes in them is to use them for gift wrap! Try using the sleeve of an old sweater, like this gifter did! The best part is that these wraps can be reused over and over again for years to come. 

A gift wrapped in gray fabric with a tag labeled "John."

5. Use furoshiki: furoshiki is a traditional Japanese cloth used to wrap gifts and other objects. There are lots of fun patterns for sale at local businesses and online. Try following a tutorial to wrap gifts in unique ways!

Three fabric-wrapped packages sit on a railing, surrounded by a leafy background.

 

 

Join our mailing list