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Every December, holiday items like wrapping paper and packaging add roughly 1 million tons per week to U.S. landfills, according to the EPA.
Glossy and glittery papers, ribbons, and bows pose the worst problem because they contain plastics, making them non-recyclable and non-biodegradable.
It's an extraordinary amount of waste for something most people only use once. Thankfully, now there is a better way.
Eco-friendly wrapping paper is made from recycled or sustainable materials. It's non-toxic and is recyclable or compostable after use.
Based on extensive testing of materials, reusability, and environmental impact, I've identified seven outstanding eco-friendly alternatives.
Below, I recommend reusable fabric wraps and non-toxic wrapping paper that beat traditional gift wrap on both sustainability and style.
✔ Reusable Multiple Times
✔ Zero Waste
✔ Beautiful Artisan Designs
We love Wrappr's Japanese Furoshiki-inspired fabric gift wraps because they completely eliminate waste.
The company collaborates with artists to create high-quality, beautifully designed, fully reusable fabric wraps that transform ordinary presents into works of art.
You save time with these wraps because they require no tape, scissors, or additional supplies. We've found the simple wrap-and-tie method takes less than half the time of traditional paper wrapping. The cloth works brilliantly for awkwardly shaped items that would normally challenge even the most skilled wrapper.
Wrappr bags come in various sizes (18" to 50") to accommodate any type of gift, from small jewelry boxes to large packages. The fabrics feel luxurious and substantial, which means recipients are more likely to reuse them.
Wrappr also offers a custom order facility, which is perfect for small businesses. You can get eco-friendly wraps, fabric bags, or ribbon with your company logo, which is a great way to showcase your sustainability goals.
The higher upfront cost ($15-$35 per wrap) is the main drawback, but you save money over time. We've passed the same wraps through our family for three years now, so the cost-per-use continues to decrease with each birthday or holiday.
I love how the plastic-free gift wraps become part of the gift itself. They're a beautiful, functional item the recipient can use again or pass along to someone else.
✔ Stunning Designs
✔ Suitable for Any Occasion
✔ 100% Recyclable Wrapping Paper
Wrappily's double-sided gift wrap is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional wrapping paper that combines sustainability with beautiful designs. It's made from recycled newspaper and printed using soy-based inks, making it 100% recyclable and compostable.
Wrappily sustainably mills, prints, and packages their paper in Washington State, with a fully localized supply chain that supports the local economy.
We love that the wrap comes as flat, folded sheets rather than a wrapping paper roll, so there are no cardboard tubes to dispose of.
Each package includes three double-sided sheets (21.5" x 34"), which is enough to wrap about six medium-sized gifts. The paper is double-sided with reversible patterns, so you get two design options with every sheet.
The Wrappily range includes designs tailored for Christmas, birthdays, babies & kids, Hanukkah, and general themes suitable for any occasion.
At around $10 per package, Wrappily costs slightly more than conventional paper, but the quality and environmental benefits justify the price. It just proves you don't always have to pay a premium for sustainability.
✔ Eco-Friendly Raw Materials
✔ Tree-Free
✔ Reusable Multiple Times
Kathmandu Valley Co. Lokta paper is a stunning, tree-free wrapping material steeped in tradition.
The paper is handcrafted by artisans in Nepal from lokta bushes, a sustainable and rapidly renewable resource. You receive ten generously sized 20x30 inch sheets per pack, and there are currently 15 color and pattern options available to choose from when you shop on Amazon.
Lokta paper possesses a unique, beautiful texture from its handmade process. We found it remarkably durable and easily reusable. Any previous folds seem to soften when you create new ones, so you really can't tell whether or not it's been used before.
The manufacturer doesn't claim that this is biodegradable wrapping paper. However, since it is made from natural plant fibers and colored using organic vegetable dyes, I would consider it suitable for home composting (especially when torn into small pieces first).
✔ Attractive & Colourful
✔ Washable & Reusable
✔ Plastic-Free
You'll love HappyWrap for its eco-friendly simplicity and charming handmade style. I chose this organic cotton fabric wrap because it supports Etsy's small businesses and offers a beautiful yet sustainable alternative to traditional paper.
Wrapping with these soft organic cotton squares is easy. There's no tape, no scissors, and absolutely zero waste!
The fact that they're washable means they're even easier to reuse, because you can get them looking just like new even after years of use.
The minimalist designs feel fresh and natural, adding a stylish touch to every gift. While the patterns aren't quite as elaborate as some others, the quality organic cotton makes each wrap feel truly special.
The only downside to Etsy is that some items tend to go out of stock during busy periods, but HappyWrap is a 5* seller with over 1300 reviews, so in this case, I don't think availability will be an issue.
If these cloth wraps aren't quite right for you, you can shop Etsy's full range of environmentally friendly wrapping paper to look for other eco-friendly and sustainable options.
✔ Made in the USA
✔ Easy to Clean
✔ Plastic and Silicone Free
Beeswax Food Wraps are an excellent eco-friendly alternative to traditional foil. They're suitable for any food-related gift, such as cookies, cakes, or candy.
Beeswax wraps keep food fresh without any plastic or silicone, and once open, your recipient can wash and reuse them to wrap their own food for many years to come.
The Bee's Wraps range comes in 3 different sizes and has multiple uses, such as bowl covers, sandwich wraps, or cheese wraps.
They're easy to clean and very durable. This is another great example of how the wrapping paper can actually become part of the gift.
✔ Biodegradable & Recyclable
✔ Protects Fragile Gifts
✔ Reusable
Honeycomb Cushioning Kraft Paper is an excellent eco-friendly alternative to bubble wrap if you’re wrapping fragile gifts to be sent in the mail.
I think it looks pretty cool as standard wrapping as well, particularly for spirits or wine bottles.
Wrap the gift tight in this honeycomb paper, tie it with some eco-friendly ribbon or twine, and you have a unique way to wrap presents that doesn’t cost the earth.
One roll of this paper is 400ft long, so it'll last you for years. It's reusable if not torn, and both recyclable and home compostable into the bargain.
✔ Durable
✔ Reusable
✔ Bargain Price
These reusable burlap bags are perfect for small gifts like jewelry, ornaments, or home-baked Christmas treats.
Each gift bag measures 3" x 5.5". The bags are durable, washable, and breathable.
The drawstring makes it easy to secure the gift inside the gift bag without the need for any nasty plastic tape.
This is an affordable yet sustainable option. Under 10 bucks for 24 bags is a steal in my eyes.
We personally tested every wrapping paper and reusable wrap featured in this guide to make sure it met our standards for inclusion.
Here’s exactly what we did to make our recommendations.
All recommendations are based on our independent testing and editorial judgment. Brands cannot pay for inclusion or influence our product rankings in any way.
Eco-friendly wrapping paper offers a beautiful, sustainable alternative to conventional gift wrap that reduces waste and saves you money, while providing numerous other environmental and practical benefits.
The EPA notes that in December, holiday waste, including wrapping paper, ribbons, and packaging, contributes about 1 million tons per week to landfills (EPA). Switching to eco-friendly giftwrap helps prevent this.
The major and most obvious benefits are as follows.
There are also further benefits that most people don't consider, such as the following.
These are benefits that anyone will appreciate. But to make sure you're making sustainable gifting choices, you need to know which types of gift wrap are eco-friendly.
There are a variety of sustainable gift wrap options, such as Furokishi wraps, reusable bags, and recyclable gift wrap.
I've recommended several of these options to suit different types of sustainable gifts, special occasions, and environmental priorities.
If and when you do switch to sustainable wrapping paper, remember to let the gift recipient know so they don't just toss your paper or wrap in the trash with everything else.
Paper is the single largest material in U.S. household trash, making up about 23% of municipal solid waste. Americans only recycle about 68% of the paper they use (EPA).
Recyclable paper is only beneficial if it gets recycled, and reusable bags are only good if they get reused!
Ready to make the switch? Start with one reusable option, like fabric wraps, for your next special occasion, then gradually build your collection of sustainable alternatives.
Your recipients will appreciate both the thoughtful presentation and the opportunity to continue the eco-friendly cycle.
Paper gift wrap is often not recyclable when it’s shiny or laminated (EPA) because the laminate or shiny surface is made of plastic. That's why it's so important to choose plain or recycled paper to keep it in the curbside stream.
To wrap gifts sustainably, use the following tips.
The choice of seed paper versus recycled paper wrapping depends on your recipient and priorities.
Recycled paper wrapping works for any recipient or occasion, and can be recycled again after use. Seed paper provides unique environmental value by growing into plants, but requires recipients with garden space, proper soil conditions, and planting knowledge.
Recycled paper costs less and handles irregularly shaped gifts better. Seed paper works best for environmentally conscious recipients with gardening capability, while recycled paper suits universal gifting needs.
The disadvantages of using biodegradable wrapping paper include higher costs compared to conventional options, limited design options, and limited availability. Biodegradable papers are more expensive to buy and often lack the glossy appearance of traditional wrapping paper, which some people prefer.
You need to remember to tell the recipient that the paper is compostable; otherwise they will simply throw it in the trash, which negates the environmental benefit.
There is limited availability of sustainable gift wrap in stores, although the options listed above, such as Wrappr, Wrappily, and Amazon, represent the best places to buy it online.
Kraft paper is truly eco-friendly as long as it's sourced responsibly. It's made from unbleached wood pulp, so it biodegrades completely and recycles easily without toxic inks or plastic coatings.
However, Kraft paper still requires the felling of trees unless it's made from recycled content or sustainably certified forests. So if you do choose Kraft paper, make sure it has FSC certification or high recycled content percentages.
To compost eco-friendly wrapping paper, follow these steps.
Papers made from recycled newspaper, lokta fiber, or other plant-based materials typically break down within 3-6 months. Avoid composting papers with metallic inks, plastic films, or unknown chemical treatments.
Not all 'eco-friendly' wrapping papers are truly sustainable due to greenwashing and misleading marketing claims from some unscrupulous manufacturers.
Verify sustainability by checking for specific certifications like GOTS, FSC, or Sustainable Forestry Initiative rather than vague "eco-friendly" labels.
Truly sustainable papers, such as those listed above, use recycled content, soy-based inks, and avoid plastic coatings or glitter.
Our core values mean we always prioritize sustainability over profit. We carefully evaluate and personally test every product to ensure they meet our high standards. All products recommended in this article were tested in accordance with our Review Methodology.
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