Quick answer
Choose recycled wrapping paper made from unbleached materials and printed with vegetable-based inks. Follow our steps to wrap gifts beautifully while minimizing waste.
Why choose recycled wrapping paper?
Conventional wrapping paper often contains non-recyclable elements like glitter, foil, or plastic coatings. Recycled options, such as brown kraft paper, are fully recyclable and compostable, helping you reduce waste during the holidays.
Look for paper that is made from recycled materials and printed with environmentally friendly inks. This ensures that your gift wrap has a lower environmental impact from production to disposal.
What to look for in sustainable gift wrap
Check for paper that is labeled as recycled, unbleached, or made with vegetable-based inks. Avoid paper with metallic finishes, glitter, or plastic ribbons, as these can contaminate recycling streams.
Consider the entire package: some recycled wrapping paper sets include coordinating tags, which can add a cohesive look without the need for single-use accessories.
How to wrap a gift with recycled paper
- Measure and cut your paper: Place your gift box on the paper and pull the paper up over the box. Leave enough paper to overlap by about 2 inches on the longest side, and enough to cover the ends. Cut the paper using scissors or a sharp blade for a clean edge. Cutting slightly too much paper is better than too little; you can always trim excess.
- Fold and tape the main seam: Bring one edge of the paper over the box and secure with tape. Then bring the opposite edge over, ensuring it overlaps evenly, and tape it down. Use recyclable paper tape or a glue stick to avoid plastic tape. Avoid using glossy or plastic tape, as it can prevent the paper from being recycled.
- Neaten the ends with a fold: At each end of the box, push the paper flat against the side, then fold the top and bottom edges inward to create a neat triangle. Fold the triangle over the side of the box and tape it down. Repeat for the other end. Practice the fold on a scrap piece first if you are new to this technique.
- Add a coordinating tag: If your paper came with tags, write the recipient's name on one and attach it to the package using a small piece of twine or a dab of glue. This eliminates the need for separate gift labels. Make sure the tag is made from recyclable or compostable material as well.
Product spotlight
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Christmas Brown Ten Pack Recycled Wrapping Paper by Kate Heiss: This set includes 10 sheets of premium recycled wrapping paper and 10 matching swing tags. The paper is made from unbleached recycled materials and printed with vegetable-based inks. You get a complete, coordinated gift-wrapping solution that is fully recyclable and free from harmful chemicals, making it easy to wrap multiple gifts sustainably.
Christmas Brown Ten Pack Recycled Wrapping Paper by Kate Heiss