There are a lot of eco-friendly ways to wrap gifts that are actually cheaper than traditional gift wrapping methods, or even free.

These eco-friendly gift wrapping ideas include repurposing items or using materials that you may just have laying around your house.

Usually, the go-to method for wrapping presents is to go straight for beautifully designed wrapping paper and then holding it together with tape. However, it’s pretty wasteful, and these fancy types of wrapping paper and plastic tape aren’t recyclable.

Instead, you can be greener when deciding on gift-wrapping methods, especially during a holiday that’s filled with presents like Christmas.

This blog post will share eco-friendly gift wrapping tips where everything is either compostable, reusable or prolongs the lifespan of gift wrapping materials.

And you can use these gift wrapping methods for a friend or family member, and for birthdays, Christmas, Valentine’s day – anything!
 

Wrap gifts with brown paper

The easiest and most straightforward eco-friendly gift wrapping idea is to just use brown kraft paper.

Your typical wrapping paper and a lot of tissue paper usually can’t be recycled because it’s often dyed, laminated or may contain gold/silver designs or glitter, all of which are not recyclable.

Plain paper is more eco-friendly than traditional wrapping paper, especially during the holiday season, because it can be composted or added to your recycling bin.

However, if you can reuse the brown paper instead of composting it, do it! You can reuse the recyclable paper to wrap more presents or use it for crafts, scrapbooking, or making labels for more gifts.

If you have kids, or if you like to get creative, make it an activity to draw on the brown paper prior to wrapping the gift.

 

Wrap presents with newspaper

There are a few ways that you can wrap presents without even buying storebought wrapping paper.

A great idea is to wrap gifts in old newspapers instead of wrapping paper, which is a great way to reuse newspaper and it will make your gift unique.

Newspaper not your thing? Try using old books, sheet music, magazines, or a drawing you made that you wouldn’t mind using as gift wrap.

Reuse wrapping paper & gift bags

If you receive presents in gift bags with tissue paper or wrapped in wrapping paper that can’t be recycled, hold on to them!

Stockpile used gift wrapping paper (if it’s salvageable), gift bags, ribbons, etc. and reuse them for future gifting to lower your environmental impact.

Reusing wrapping paper and gift bags for future gifts instead of throwing it into the trash is a great way to be more sustainable and help reduce waste.