Christmas is fast approaching and for most of us that means a season of fun, festivities and of course, gifts.
While many strive to make eco-conscious choices year-round, come Christmas we’re more naughty than nice with our sustainable behaviours.
The festive season alone creates 30% extra waste each year. In New Zealand, we’ll get through an estimated 1,600 tonnes of wrapping paper alone (that’s equivalent to 10,000 trees), and 25,000 tonnes of plastic packaging waste* (WasteMINZ, 2021).
With a few simple swaps and considerations, we can turn Christmas into a celebration that’s not only nice to us but for the planet too.
- Knot Wrapping: Ditch the wrapping paper this year and take inspiration from the ancient Japanese tradition of furoshiki by gifting your presents in a fabric knot wrap. The beautifully designed knot wraps use similar techniques to origami to delicately conceal the gift without the need for wrapping paper. The best part? They are reusable so you can continue to use them time and time again. If you’re keen to buy new and use for years to come you can purchase here, alternatively it’s a great opportunity to dig out any left-over fabric in the linen cupboard. Linked here is a handy guide on how to use knot wraps.
- Shop Sustainably made: Support brands who have ethical policies in place to ensure planet earth is considered at every stage of the invention and production. Brands like Lush Cosmetics ensure its products are made with ethically sourced ingredients – even the glitter and sparkle is plastic free! All Lush products are in packaging that can be treasured, reused or returned through Lush’s Bring it Back scheme.
- Shop NZ Made: Looking to cut down on carbon emissions? There’s no easier way than to buy products made right here in New Zealand. Purchasing from brands that produce products in NZ will reduce the carbon emissions produced in the transportation process. Did you know, Lush handmakes all of its fresh handmade products right here in NZ?
Here are a few other alternative ways to wrap Christmas presents that are more sustainable:
Cloth Bags: Place gifts in reusable cloth bags that can be part of the gift itself. These bags come in various sizes, colours, and patterns, and they can be used for shopping or storage.
Brown Kraft Paper: Opt for plain brown kraft paper, which is recyclable and can be decorated with stamps, drawings, or personalised messages. It gives a rustic and simple charm to the presents.
Mason Jars or Tins: For smaller items, consider placing them in mason jars or decorative tins. These containers are reusable and can be repurposed for storage or other creative projects.
Scarves or Bandanas: Use scarves or bandanas to wrap gifts, adding an extra layer of thoughtfulness as the wrapping itself becomes a part of the gift.
DIY Origami Boxes: Fold your own origami boxes from old magazines or colourful paper. These boxes can be reused or recycled, and the process adds a handmade touch to your gift presentation.
Remember, the key is to choose options that can be reused or recycled, reducing the environmental impact of gift wrapping during the holiday season.
