Eco friendly gift wrapping

Glittery, foiled and laminated wrapping paper cannot be recycled in most UK kerbside collections, and neither can plastic tape stuck to anything.

The scrunch test settles it: scrunch the paper in your fist, and if it stays scrunched rather than springing back, it is almost certainly recyclable.

Recyclable and not

• Recyclable: plain paper, kraft and brown paper, most matt printed paper with no foil.
• Not recyclable: glitter, foil, metallic and laminated paper, and anything with plastic tape still attached.
• Remove tape, ribbon, bows and glitter tags before the paper goes in the bin.
• Tissue paper is usually too short-fibred to recycle - reuse it for padding instead.

Wrap with what you already have

• Brown parcel paper with string, a stamp or a hand-drawn pattern.
• Newspaper, maps, sheet music or old calendar pages for a deliberate look.
• Fabric offcuts, scarves and tea towels tied furoshiki style.
• Jars, tins and boxes you already keep in the cupboard.

Cutting the waste

• Save and iron good paper - a cool iron on the back flattens creases perfectly.
• Keep a box for used ribbon, tags and tissue; most survive several years.
• Cut tags from last year's Christmas cards.
• Buy paper tape rather than plastic if you want to keep taping.

Finishing touches with no plastic

• A sprig of rosemary, eucalyptus or holly under the string.
• Dried orange slices or a cinnamon stick tied on at Christmas.
• A brown luggage tag written by hand.

Browse all cards

How to write it so it lands

• Do the scrunch test before you buy or bin.
• Keep a reuse box for ribbon, tissue and good paper.
• Paper tape and string keep the whole parcel recyclable.

Where to shop next

• How to wrap a present without tape
• Gift bag alternatives
• How to wrap awkward shapes
• How to build a hamper
• How to tie a gift bow
• How to post a gift safely
• Gift presentation ideas on a budget
• Wrapping and presentation guides
• Money-free gifting guides
• All guides
• Planning the party? Birthday party ideas
• How to make a balloon arch
• Photo booth prop ideas

Frequently asked questions

Is wrapping paper recyclable in the UK?

Plain paper usually is; glittery, foiled and laminated paper is not. Use the scrunch test and check your council's list, as rules vary.

Can you recycle wrapping paper with tape on?

Remove plastic tape first. Small amounts are often tolerated, but tape-free or paper tape is cleaner.

What is the most eco friendly way to wrap a gift?

Fabric you reuse every year, or plain paper tied with string and no tape at all.