Pigtown’s Scrap Creative Reuse Shares Ways To Be Eco-Conscious While Wrapping Gifts This Season

Beautifully wrapped gifts are always welcome during the holiday season. But what about after the gifts have been opened and you’re left with a pile of ribbon, gift wrap, and tissue paper? We talk to Nancy Hotchkiss, director of SCRAP B-more, a creative reuse center in Pigtown, about inventive ways to stay eco-conscious while wrapping this holiday season.

What are the effects of gift-wrapping waste during the holiday season?
In the U.S., around 2.6-billion pounds of wrapping paper are thrown away annually and it takes years to decompose. Especially wrapping paper that is used during the holiday season because it often contains metallic details and splashes of glitter, which can’t be recycled. I encourage people to think about wrapping alternatives because it’s a great way to illustrate your own creativity while making the gift even more special for the recipient.

What are some eco-friendly materials we can use to wrap gifts?
You can use old newspapers, maps, butcher paper, or even old pages of your notebook. There are also a lot of clever vessels for gifts like Mason jars, old coffee bags, and rice bags. You could even make your own gift bags using fabric from old linens or upholstery samples and three quick stitches. Or if you’re really good, you could crochet a cover for your present. Adding a homemade element to any gift makes it feel more special and thought out.

What are some simple changes to make your gift wrapping more sustainable?
You can ditch bows that are usually metallic and a recycling nightmare and add in a natural element like cinnamon sticks, a rosemary sprig, or pine cones. Some things just look absolutely lovely on their own. Magnolia leaves are so gorgeous and effortless. You can also swap out gift labels with recycled materials. My family would always take old Christmas cards and cut off the front, which had the good artwork, and use that as the label for the gift. The best part of all of these more-sustainable choices is that they can become a craft for the family.

What should we make sure we do after opening gifts to better benefit the environment?
I would remind people to double check what they are throwing away. When Scotch Tape and adhesives or other non-recyclable things are left on the wrapping paper, it lowers the grade of the recycling, which could lead to the difference of whether the city is getting money or having to pay for it. You can also be mindful when opening your gifts to not completely rip them apart but gently unwrap them and fold the paper into storage for the next year. It’s all about keeping in mind new ways we can reuse things in the future.

WHAT YOU NEED:

CREATIVE CONCEPT: Think outside the box—literally. There are so many creative ways to go beyond traditional wrapping.

MATERIALS MATTER: Go through your storage closets and junk drawers. Odds are, you have plenty of materials that you could use.

SHARP EYE: For recycling purposes, be sure when tossing holiday waste that there are no tapes or adhesives still stuck to the paper.