6 innovative ways to ditch traditional gift wrappers

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6 innovative ways to ditch traditional gift wrappers
Tired of the same old gift wrappers? You can celebrate the holidays and save the environment with these recyclable materials

MANILA, Philippines – With Christmas season around the corner, people are again making wish lists while shoppers are rushing to malls. This year though, you may want to think twice about wrapping your gifts.

While Christmas is a season of gift-giving and celebration, it also comes with trash – gift wrapping and plastic bags from shopping comes to mind in relation to the country’s waste problem. (READ: Minimize your holiday trash, eco group reminds Filipinos)

According to a 2015 study on plastic waste, the Philippines is the third biggest source of plastics causing pollution in seas worldwide, behind China and Indonesia. Another study showed that plastic waste generated in coastal regions is most at risk of entering the oceans. (READ: INFOGRAPHIC: Plastic in our seas: Why you should care)

A lot of gift wrapping materials are non-recyclable as they are coated in plastic. This is concerning as plastic tends to spread everywhere and has even been detected in the North Pole. (READ: Dreaming of a green Christmas? Here are 5 ways to make it more sustainable)

If you can’t imagine giving gifts bare but you still want to help the environment, just ditch the traditional gift wrappers and be creative with alternatives. (READ: 10 tips for an eco-friendly Christmas)

Here are alternatives to commercial giftwrappers that will help you celebrate the holidays, and save the environment as well as money at the same time:

Scratch paper and newspaper

Newspaper gift. Photo from Heather Stevenson on Pinterest.ph

Gift wrapped using old maps. Photo from Bombus on Pinterest.ph

It is common for every household to have old documents lying around: college readings, music sheets, reports, newspapers, tourist maps, calendars, etc. Instead of throwing them away, you can use them as alternative gift wrappers that you can design with colored markers and crayons.

Environmental advocates say that you can substitute scotch tape with Elmer’s glue to reduce waste too. Scotch tape has 4 layers of different materials: a layer of primer helps the glue stick to the plastic, while the other side makes sure that the glue does not stick to the top. 

Once the holidays are over, you can then drop off the reused paper for recycling. Find the recycling site nearest you here.

Furoshiki

Furoshiki is the Japanese method of folding cloth into beautiful packages. Grab a piece of old textile fabric like an old shirt, and with a few clever knots, you can create an eye-catching package. You can also use a scarf, which you can give as well, to wrap your gifts gorgeously.

According to Japanese organizing consultant Marie Kondo, furoshiki shows the concept of minimalism in Japanese aesthetics, which makes it a method of choice for any zero-waste advocate. This method has been praised for its versatility, becoming a popular alternative as well to shopping bags, fashion accessories, and lunch boxes. 

Furoshiki may seem intimidating at first, but it can be a simple process with a little practice! Just watch this tutorial video.

Old pillow cases

Upcycled pillow gift bags. Photo from American Patchwork & Quilting on Pinterest.ph

Old pillow cases can be used either for furoshiki or they can be turned into a bag with the help of extra fabric scraps. Not only will your loved ones get a nicely wrapped gift, but they can also use the bag for carrying toiletries and makeup products.

Cereal boxes

Gift bags made out of cereal boxes. Photo from Melissa Mondragon on Pinterest.ph

Do you have cereal boxes lying around your house? The colorful cardboard box that holds your family’s favorite cereal can be upcycled into a cute gift box using this printable template. You can also turn your cereal boxes into paper bags by adding a handle made out of cloth scraps.

Jars

Photo from The Saw Guy on Pinterest.ph

Reduce the number of unused jars in your household by turning them into gift containers. All you have to do is soak the label, remove it, and get creative with the design of your jar by drawing Santa Claus, a reindeer, a snowman, or any other Christmas image. Top it off with cloth or ribbon on the lid to give your jar an extra pop.

Jars can be repurposed for everyday use, making it a versatile item when it comes to storage. You can use jars for gifts like food, or for cosmetic products such as lip balm and ointments.

Baskets and rattan containers

Basket gift. Photo from Casey Finn, The DIY Playbook | Home Decor, DIY Renovation, Interior Design, & Styling on Pinterest.ph

Display your gift in a beautifully arranged basket or in a rattan container for small gifts such as jewelry. You can find these baskets and rattan containers in the following:

What are your alternative ways to ditch the traditional gift wrapper? – Rappler.com

Rappler is building a network of climate advocates, LGUs, corporations, NGOs, youth groups, and individuals for the #ManyWaysToZeroWaste campaign, a movement pushing for responsible ways to use and reduce plastic. Go here to know how you can help.

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