I thought it would be easier to find out if you can recycle wrapping paper, too, but it's not as simple as just throwing it in the old blue bin. So here are some helpful hints - super helpful if you reside in one of my two homes, Onondaga County (that's right, bitches, the real real OC) or NYC! You'll have to look up the specifics for your area, but here's a general guideline for a green Christmas (and/or Hanukkah and/um Kwanzaa).
-Check your local government or recycling agency's website
-Use minimal tape when wrapping it up!
-Find wrapping paper made from recycled materials/paper
-Orrr, at least skip over anything with gold, silver, or any metallics or foil in it. Pretty yes, but also not blue bin-friendly!
-Organize the discarded papers in a recyclable bag to be placed curbside with the rest of your recyclable paper products
-And don't forget to recycle gift boxes, any corrugated cardboard boxes, holiday catalogs, and non-metallic greeting cards - you know the drill.
If you live somewhere that won't take any scraps of your wraps, get creative! Rock that brown paper bag with non-toxic, low-VOC craft paints (like these shimmery shades from Earth Safe!) with stencils or stamps. You can also cut back on the trimmings. This year, I tried not to use ribbons or bows (unless they were fabric and nice enough to be reused) and skipped gift tags, writing messages on the packages or using last year's cut up holiday cards instead. Thankfully, I come from a long line of poor and/or cheap people good budgeters so within my family we've been recycling the same 4 gift bags and handful of bows since I believed in Santa.
If you weren't born into such a frugal fam, pack up your totes with these eco-friendly gift wrap items!
Earth Love'n Holiday Elegance, Hanukkah Chicken and Chilly Dog Recycled Gift Wrap ($5-9)
Yeah, that's right, they make biodegradable ribbons and wrapping paper and gift tags that can be PLANTED. Crazy! These would be a great gift for any ecophile on their own.
Plantable Holiday Gift Tags ($5.75), biodegradable ribbons ($4.80-6), Blooming Wrapping Paper ($19.95)
It may be a little late to wrap it up eco-style this winter season, but keep these green gift wrap sites in mind for your next holiday or birthday! Happy Recycling!
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