It’s that time of year again—when the twinkling lights go up, the festive tunes come on, and we start wrapping gifts like we’ve just discovered the art of origami. But while we’re busy making presents look all pretty and glittery, have you ever stopped to think about what happens to all that wrapping paper after the last piece of sellotape is peeled off? Spoiler: it’s not as festive as you might think.

The Wrapping Paper Dilemma: Can We Recycle It?

If you’re anything like most of us, you’ve probably spent Christmas mornings surrounded by a tornado of shredded wrapping paper. That shiny, glittery stuff looks great under the tree but doesn’t exactly have the best reputation when it comes to being eco-friendly. So, what’s the deal? Can you recycle wrapping paper, or is it just destined for the bin, like the leftover brussels sprouts that no one touches?

Well, here’s the lowdown: not all wrapping paper is created equal. Some wrapping papers are recyclable, and some are, well, not. The rule of thumb is simple—if the paper is metallic, glittery, or covered in plastic coatings, it’s probably best to give it a pass when it comes to recycling. Why? Because those shiny bits are the wrapping paper’s way of saying, “I’m fun, but I’m too fancy for the recycling bin!” These coatings can interfere with the recycling process, causing the paper to be rejected.

So, what can you recycle? Standard, plain wrapping paper without any fancy finishes or glitter can be recycled, as long as it’s not too covered in tape. You can pop it in your usual paper recycling bin, and it’ll get a second life (hopefully in the form of more wrapping paper—now that’s recycling at its finest).

The Environmental Impact of Wrapping Paper: More Than Just Leftovers

Now, let's talk numbers. In the UK alone, around 227,000 miles of wrapping paper are sold each year. That’s enough paper to wrap the earth’s equator nine times—and that’s just the stuff we actually use to wrap presents! But here’s the kicker: much of this paper ends up in landfill, especially when it’s mixed with ribbons, bows, and sticky tape. That’s an awful lot of waste from something that was used for less than 15 minutes of festive joy.

If you add up all the wrapping paper in the world, it’s not just the trees that are losing out. It’s the energy, water, and materials that go into making that paper, not to mention the environmental footprint of producing, shipping, and transporting all those little rolls of joy. Talk about a party pooper, right?

The Christmas Conundrum: Can We Do Better?

The good news is, we can. If you want to be the eco-friendly hero of Christmas (and who doesn’t want to be a Christmas hero, let’s be honest?), you can look into more sustainable wrapping options.

Why not get crafty with reusable materials? Think cloth bags, tea towels, or even old newspapers (yes, you heard that right!). These options are not only quirky and fun but they’re also practical—plus, they can be used again and again. A bit like that one Christmas jumper you never seem to stop wearing, except this time, it’s the wrapping that’s doing the reusing. You can also opt for paper that’s 100% recycled and, ideally, uncoated or unglittered. In other words, the more natural, the better.

Still, we get it—sometimes it’s the shiny, glittery stuff that calls to us. If you just can’t resist those sparkly designs, consider choosing wrapping paper that’s been certified by a reputable sustainability programme, like FSC (Forest Stewardship Council). That way, at least you can rest easy knowing your wrapping is made from responsibly sourced materials.