As we reach the end of the year, I am delighted to be able to write another Climate Change Collective post. With Christmas on the horizon, there are some aspects of our rituals that can be environmentally awkward. One such aspect is packaging.
The UK uses 227,000 miles of wrapping paper each year. Each Christmas each UK household throws away three and a half black bags full of Christmas packaging. (Source: GWP)
Startling facts like this highlight just how important it is that we start to reign in our packaging obsession over the festive season.
The Trouble With Glitter
I have been checking recycling instructions for wrapping paper. It seems that the general UK advice is that if you can scrunch it up and it stays scrunched then it is recyclable. There is an important note added to that though. If it contains glitter or foil decoration, then it can’t be recycled.
This is disappointing but makes a lot of sense. However, it is the reason why so many general waste bins are going to be stuffed full of wrapping paper this week.
One of the worst offenders when it comes to being single-use is the renowned (and often pointless) gift bag. A shiny and expensive gift bag usually contains an already fully wrapped present. Is this really necessary?
Being covered in foil and soon worn out, a gift bag commonly makes its way swiftly into the rubbish bin.
But why do people wrap their presents and still feel the need for individual gift bags too?
Suggestions For Change
First of all people need to start thinking about the type of packaging they use. Does it have to be shiny and sparkly?
I will be honest and say that this Christmas I gave my presents without any wrapping on at all. I don’t have any children in my family but would have wrapped their presents if so.
Using coloured paper which has no foil is a simple way of making gift wrapping better for the environment. It should be the thought that matters and the consideration that went into the present buying, not the sparkly packaging.
Final Thoughts
If landfill sites are being filled with gift wrapping every Christmas, then we really need to challenge this. In the spirit of Christmas, should we not be giving back to the planet instead of polluting it with rubbish?
It takes tinfoil (the same as the foil found in wrapping paper) around 400 years to decompose according to Recycle Coach.
Let’s make an effort to move away from unnecessary packaging and towards a more sustainable future full of recyclable Christmas wrapping and emptier dustbins.
Thank you for reading this article. Please message me if you are a blogger wanting to join The Climate Change Collective. Michelle (Boomer Eco Crusader) and I came up with an idea to establish a group of likeminded bloggers to write monthly features about the environment. Our group has blossomed and every member writes a link post each month.
To read the most recent post from our collective simply check out Caroline’s wonderful Reconnecting with nature and self article from November.
Good article! I totally agree with idea.
That is great! Thanks.
I will be looking into doing gift wrapping that is environmentally friendly from now on; as you point out, quite a lot of it is not actually recyclable and it creates so much waste. Thanks for this important reminder!
It is a shocking amount of rubbish.
Thanks for sharing
I’ve made a lot of progress on this over the years but there’s still room for improvement. I haven’t bought wrapping paper in several years and I’m still using up rolls I bought years ago. I have to disagree with you on the gift bags, though, Jamie. You can read why in my response post!
I don’t mind a reusable gift bag but without an already wrapped present inside haha.
True. I use gift bags to save me time wrapping! Why would I do both? LOL
Definitely an interesting article! I was really good for a few years, and then fell off this year.
Oh hahah. Better try harder next winter.