These tree-friendly ways to wrap gifts offer zero waste alternatives to the miles of wrapping paper made from virgin paper, often covered in plastic foil or glitter (so cannot be recycled). Most brands also come wrapped in plastic. You can choose from tree-free paper, gift wrap made from recycled paper or (for gifting between family & friends) reusable gift wrap, which can be packed away for next time.
Fabric gift wrap needs no Sellotape, it’s just wrapped origami-style. Paper gift wrap can be used with biodegradable paper tape, natural jute or raffia. Do not ‘donate string/ribbon’ to birds’ nests, as it can harm. Just compost (or bin, if not biodegradable).
Recycled Paper Gift Wrap
- Alice Palace offers delightfully unique gift wrap, made in a little green factory: garden/water birds, pink zigzag, sunshine & smiles, baking or mice! Men’s gift wrap features bulldogs & black cabs.
- Catherine Lewis Design offers gorgeous quality gift wrap, printed on recycled paper with vegetable inks.
- Curlicue offers beautiful recycled gift wrap, with cheeky baby dinosaurs for children (you can order matching recycled gift tags).
- Mistletoe & Holly Gift Wrap has a gorgeous design by Kiwi & The Bear, using vegetable inks using a waterless process.
Reusable Fabric Gift Wrap
- Forever Wraps make pretty reusable fabric gift bags. Made with interlined cotton for long life, they feature matched stitched fabric ribbon in 7 lovely designs. Choose Small (2 paperbacks, toiletries, scarves, socks) or Large (hardback book, shirts). Do not tumble dry.
- FOLDS Gift Wrap (Bristol) is made from organic cotton (with label). Just wrap and knot to secure, using enclosed twine.
- Damask Reusable Fabric Gift Wrap is made from heavyweight cotton with no lining, and 2 cotton braids, for easy wrapping. Choose Small (books, gloves, a watch, clutch bags). Or Medium (board games, shirts, large books).
- Zero Waste Gift Wrap is a book of 30 ideas for mastering the Japanese art of furoshiki, which is a traditional technique of fabric knotting, so you don’t have to buy wrapping paper and sellotape. If you do prefer to use gift wrap, see tree-friendly ways to wrap gifts. This book shows how to give someone a beautiful gift – and a lovely scarf that it’s wrapped in. You’ll master 11 knotting techniques to wrap everything from books to bottles, then learn how to make your own gift wrap from recycled materials.