It’s officially gift-wrapping season, and we’re here to help you celebrate sustainably. Whether you’re giving or receiving gifts, here’s your guide to handling gift wrap after the unwrapping is done—and how to divert materials from landfills and waterways this holiday season. Screenshot this guide and keep it handy all month long!
Reuse First
Whenever possible, start with reuse. Most of what we use for wrapping—bags, boxes, tissue, ribbons, and many types of paper—can be used again if you take care of them. It’s the most sustainable option and extends the life of materials already in circulation.
What You Can Recycle
Your wrapping paper, tissue paper, gift boxes, paper bags, and cardboard tubes without glitter, foil, or metallic finishes can all be recycled with your other paper products. These items can go in your home, work, or school single-stream recycling, or you can bring them to CHaRM. Be sure to remove as much tape as possible before recycling.
All paper products dropped at CHaRM are baled on-site and sent to Smurfit Westrock, a global leader in sustainable paper-based packaging, where they’re transformed into new paper products.
What You Can Compost
Paper materials that don’t have glossy coatings, glitter, or metallic finishes can also be composted. This includes plain wrapping paper, tissue paper, and cardboard elements.
What You Should Reuse Only
Ribbons, bows, and any glittery or metallic materials don’t have value in recycling or composting. The best choice is to reuse them again and again.
Celebrate sustainably this holiday season by reusing, recycling, and composting what you can. We’ll see you at CHaRM soon!