6 Sustainable Gift Wrap Ideas

In my last post I shared some eco-friendly gift ideas that are low-waste and sustainable. Now I want to talk about some of my favorite ways to wrap gifts without using traditional wrapping paper or gift bags.

Conventional wrapping paper usually cannot be recycled due to the synthetic dyes and non-paper materials they are made with. I hope these ideas inspire you to use sustainable gift wrap the next time you’re giving a gift!

Scarf or Bandana

Furoshiki is the Japanese art of fabric wrapping, and its very popular as a form of sustainable gift wrapping.

You can find several different intricate tutorials online but the method that I made a slideshow of is a simple way to do it using any bandana or scarf.

The best part about this wrapping option is that the scarf doubles as an additional gift, and you can often find them for cheap at thrift stores!

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Newspaper

Newspaper is the cheapest option on this list and something you probably already have at home.

You can use newspaper just like normal wrapping paper to wrap your gifts, and you won’t create any more waste by buying conventional wrapping paper.

If you want to wrap your gift without tape so its completely recyclable, you can use string or burlap to secure the newspaper around the gift, rather than tape.

Burlap

Burlap is cheap, biodegradable, and gives gifts a cute rustic look when used as a wrapping material. To use it just wrap the burlap around your gift and secure with string or a small piece of the burlap.

It may take a couple of layers to conceal the gift, depending on which burlap material you use but this cloth is a great choice if you want your gift wrap to be more sustainable.

Paper Bag

A paper bag may seem like a boring option for a gift wrap, but its easy to make it look more appealing by punching a hole in the bag and using decorative string or ribbon to secure the bag shut.

Unlike wrapping paper that can’t be recycled, paper bags are completely recyclable and work well for items that have an irregular shape. You could also use tissue paper or shredded paper so that the inside of the bag looks nice too.

Reusable Tote

This is another gift wrap option that will double as a second present. A reusable bag is also a great way to inspire others to be sustainable, and you can find them in many different styles that are perfect for the person you’re giving it to.

If you’re looking for a reusable bag you can check out my Etsy store here!

Thrifted Basket

A thrifted or second hand basket is perfect for when you’re giving more than one item as a gift. You could use an extra basket you already have at home, or find an inexpensive one at a thrift store.

I love using baskets for gifts because its easy to make them look nice and they can be reused once they’re gifted.

Let me know which one of these is your favorite, or if you’ve used any of these before! Thanks for reading, have a lovely day!

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