WRAP It Up - In "Green"

Contributed by Catherine Vierthaler, Director of Finance, Green Builder Media

Do you ever look at the pile of paper and boxes after the holidays, and think, “Wow, what a waste!”  I have been on a mission to reduce the waste produced from gift giving for a number of years, and even though I haven’t made it to zero waste yet, the post holiday piles are getting much smaller.

First, consider gifts that don’t require wrapping.  A wreath, poinsettia or other festive décor item can be enjoyed throughout the season.  When choosing a plant based gift, be sure to check to see if it is sustainably harvested, like the wreaths and center pieces from Balsam Wreath & Christmas Trees.  And remind the recipient that once the gift fades it can be composted or disposed of with yard waste (just remove any steel or plastic frames).

Another great idea is to give a donation in the gift recipient’s name to a favorite organization.  Not only will the organization benefit, but your wrapping can be as simple as a card.

By wrapping gifts with reusable cloth or paper bags or decorative boxes, you can eliminate a ton of waste. Check out this link for some creative ideas, or buy your holiday gift bags from your favorite retailer.

When the party is over, collect the bags and boxes and save for the next event. If you do need to buy wrapping paper, be sure to get a product that can be recycled, or better yet, buy recycled gift wrap to begin with. Green Field Paper Company produces fun, unique gift wrap printed with soy-based inks on 100% recycled paper. If you receive a gift wrapped in a non-recyclable paper, you can run it through your shredder to make colorful packing for gift bags and baskets.

Happy wrapping!