Christmas may be the season of giving, but it’s also the season of staggering waste, one that eco-friendly gift wrapping can help reduc. Each year, an estimated millions of tonnes of wrapping paper are torn open and thrown away within minutes, much of it dyed, glittered, plastic-coated or foil-finished, meaning it can’t be recycled at all. In the UK alone, enough wrapping paper is discarded annually to wrap The Shard (among the tallest buildings in Europe) 45 times. Add ribbons, sticky tape and non-recyclable gift bags, and the waste piles up fast.
But there’s good news: recycled and recyclable wrapping options have never been easier to find. Beautifully printed kraft papers, plant-based dyes, reusable fabric wraps and cotton ‘paper’ now offer all the magic of traditional gift wrap without the environmental hangover. With a little creativity, the presents under the tree can look gorgeous and do good at the same time.
When it comes to eco-friendly gift wrapping, there are countless ways to make your gifts stand out while being kind to the planet.
Recycled Kraft Paper
Kraft paper is one of the simplest eco-friendly gift wrapping options. Made from recycled fibres, free from plastic coatings and fully recyclable after use, it avoids the glitter, foil and laminate that make so much festive wrapping impossible to process. It’s also crisp, matte, tactile, and easily elevated with twine, herbs or a sprig of greenery. We love the Gingerbread & Candy eco wrapping paper from itsalleco.com, a 100 per cent recycled, recyclable kraft print made in the UK using non-toxic inks.
We recommend: Gingerbread paper from itsalleco.com
Furoshiki Fabric Wrapping
Fabric wrapping, which is inspired by the Japanese art of furoshiki, is one of the most elegant zero-waste alternatives to traditional paper. Instead of tearing through wrap that lasts seconds, you fold and knot a beautiful piece of fabric around the gift, turning it into part of the present. It can be also be reused endlessly as a scarf, headband, bag or wrap for years to come. This Christmas, we love the Lush Knot Wraps for eco-friendly gift wrapping. Made from recycled plastic bottles or vintage textiles rescued and reprinted into vibrant designs, they’re joyful, durable, and endlessly reusable.
We recommend: It’s Christmas Deer Knot wrap from lush.com
Seed Paper Gift Wrap
Seed paper is one of the most meaningful ways to turn packaging into something that can bloom long after the festivities are over. Instead of being thrown away, seed-infused paper can be torn up and planted, sprouting wildflowers that help support bees and other pollinators. While full sheets of plantable wrapping paper are still rare, companies such as Little Green Gifts offer beautiful seed-paper gift tags and Christmas cards made from biodegradable pulp embedded with wildflower seeds. They pair perfectly with recycled kraft paper.
We recommend: Christmas Cheer Gift tags from littlegreengifts.com
Reusable Fabric Gift Bags
Reusable fabric gift bags are a fabulous eco-friendly gift wrapping solution: no tape, no messy folds, no single-use waste. Simply slip your gift inside, tie the drawstring or ribbon, and you have a present that looks beautiful, with zero waste left behind. For longevity and sustainability, choose bags made from natural or recycled fabrics like cotton, hemp, or canvas.
One of our favourite sources is WasteFreeCelebrations.com, which offers a range of handmade reusable bags in sturdy cotton and linen blends. The drawstring and pliable fabric make them perfect for oddly shaped gifts, children’s toys. No more dreadfully wrapped awkward toys, with giveaway signs sticking out from under the tree! What’s not to love parents?
We recommend: Nutcracker reusable gift bag set from wastefreecelebrations.com
Fabric Wrapping Paper
Because it folds so well, organic cotton wraps offer the ease of traditional gift wrapping but with none of the waste, and because it’s made from a durable fabric instead of paper, organic cotton wrapping can be reused dozens of times (or more). For a stylish, eco-friendly gift wrapping in the UK, we recommend HappyWrap: their organic cotton wrap cloths have generous sizes and plenty of timeless designs for gifts of all sizes. Once opened, the cloth can be folded and stored for next year, reused for a different occasion, or simply passed on.
We recommend: Festive Snowflake Print in Burgundy from happywrap
Plastic-Free Tape
When it comes to eco-friendly gift wrapping, the small details make the biggest difference. Much of the waste at Christmas comes from the laminated tissue, plastic ribbons and conventional sticky tape that prevent recyclable materials from being processed. Switching to plastic-free paper tape transforms your wrapping from disposable to fully circular. Look biodegradable paper tape or water-activated gummed tape, both of which can be recycled along with kraft paper. These subtle swaps ensure every part of your wrapping can return safely to the earth.
We recommend: Kraft eco paper tape from babipur.co.uk
Upcycled Maps, Newspapers & Magazines
Some of the most striking eco-friendly gift wrapping doesn’t come from a shop at all, but from your own home. Upcycling old maps, vintage sheet music, newspapers, children’s drawings or magazine pages creates one-of-a-kind parcels that feel far more personal than commercial Christmas prints. A Berlin street map, a fashion editorial, a retro comic strip can all become a story. Paired with natural twine or a sprig of greenery, upcycled wrap is chic, sustainable and completely waste-free.
