Christmas is drawing closer, bringing with it the delight that comes with gift giving. We ask you to be mindful with your Christmas wrapping.

Unfortunately, that has traditionally meant an avalanche of wrapping paper, which is often used once before being recycled or sent to landfill.

Wastebusters Alexandra communications coordinator Alexia Johnston said many people are trying out reusable wrapping options, which are more sustainable, kind to the environment and fun to adopt.

“There are a lot of materials that would do the trick of making your presents look fabulous, from dressmaking fabrics to scarves that you could use for furoshiki, a popular Japanese style of gift wrapping. No sewing is required, just a pair of scissors.”

If sewing is your forte, you could create some reusable gift bags instead, or simply use a pillowcase, she said.

Alternatively, you could reuse interesting paper such as old maps, pages from a magazine or newspaper. 

“There are so many options, you’re only limited by your creativity.”

Everyone recycling could help out by removing plastic contaminants from wrapping and packaging before recycling it.

Make sure the wrapping paper is made from paper, not plastic, and remove any ribbons and sellotape before recycling.

One problem for recycling crew have at Christmas is the contamination caused by the plastic windows in boxes, so be mindful to remove the plastic windows and put them in the rubbish before recycling the cardboard boxes.

According to the Sustainability Trust, in the week after Christmas, New Zealanders send 50,000 extra tonnes of waste to landfill.

That is enough to fill 14,286 twenty-foot shipping containers. If those containers were stacked one on top of the other, they would stretch 105 times higher than the Sky Tower, or three times the height of Mt Everest.

“From buying food without packaging, turning leftovers into another amazing recipe or creative gift-wrapping, sustainable choices can make Christmas cheaper and more fun too,” Alexia said.

Advertisement

Body Mind Care Hypnotherapy