Your gift wrapping paper is trash – literally. Try these 7 sustainable ideas instead

Sure, I could buy another roll of flimsy wrapping paper that tears if I so much as breathe on it. No matter how carefully I line things up, I’m always cutting an inch too short and having to add to a sad pile of scraps.

But most of that wrapping paper heads to a landfill. If gift wrapping paper is foil, metallic or glittery, it can’t be recycled. And even though some wrapping paper is branded as recycled, that doesn’t mean it’s recyclable. Every year, Americans throw out an estimated 2.6bn lbs of wrapping paper – enough to cover 40 football fields.

Paper Source recyclable stone wrapping paper

$12.50 at Paper Source

Bee’s Wrap furoshiki reusable fabric wrapping paper

$29.99 at Amazon

This year, I want to feel a little better about myself (re: environment but also crafting ability), and thanks to my Filter colleagues’ ideas, I’m learning that’s not too hard to do. I can buy eco-friendly wrapping paper, of course, but I can also use what I already have. What’s better, that zhuzhes up a gift even more: a reusable tote bag counts as part of the present, old newspapers add a little whimsy and a wrapped cheesecloth makes the gift under $10 look positively “artisanal”. Read on for seven ways to gift wrap sustainably and creatively from the Filter team. Karen Yuan, commissioning editor, Filter US

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A reusable tote bag

What I wrapped: Sisters Coffee Co. whole bean coffee for a friend

If you’ve been to a festival or conference recently, there’s a good chance you have more reusable tote bags than you’ll ever need. Pick one your recipient would appreciate, pop the gift in and tie the handles as you’d tie your shoe. This museum tote bag bearing a Spitfire fighter plane reminded me of a book my friend and I both loved as kids. We ended up digging out the book and spending half an hour reminiscing. Nick Mokey, editor, Filter US

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Decorated kraft paper

What I wrapped: Warriors graphic novel box set for my niece, a baseball bat

A roll of kraft paper lasts forever and works especially well for oddly shaped gifts. It’s easy to layer and bulk up, which makes it great for disguising something otherwise obvious (like a baseball bat). I usually tie up the ends with whatever I have on hand, whether that’s twine, yarn or ribbon, and add a few ink-pad stamps or an herb garnish if it needs a little personality. Tracy Allison, photo editor, Filter US

Hallmark minimalist brown kraft gift wrap paper

$16.99 at Amazon

Hallmark green trees, pine cones on brown kraft gift wrap paper

$19.99 at Amazon

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Dyed cheesecloth or linens

What I wrapped: A Leoben Co candle

Cheesecloth is inexpensive, reusable and surprisingly versatile. It’s easy to dye with food coloring to wrap something edible (just wash the cloth afterward to prevent staining) or clothing dye for non-food gifts. It’s especially useful for items with rounded edges that tend to tear traditional wrapping paper. Tie-dyed gauze is just as fun and effective as well. TA

Metflavor reusable cheeseclothes (pack of 12)

$16.99 at Amazon

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Parchment paper

What I wrapped: A basil leaf-scented candle from Flamingo Estate

Like kraft paper, parchment paper is a simple way to layer and cover up a gift. You can stick to wrapping edible treats like a loaf of bread or baggie of cookies, but if you have enough of it then the world is your wrappable oyster. You can doodle on and decorate the parchment paper’s blank canvas too, if you’d like. Karen Yuan, commissioning editor, Filter US

Reynolds unbleached parchment paper

$3.39 at Amazon

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Old newspapers or magazines

What I wrapped: Ugg slippers, recommended in our gift guide for tweens

I’ve always loved how Coming Soon, a boutique store I frequent in Manhattan’s Chinatown, wraps gifts in old Chinese newspapers every holiday season. You can make playful wrapping paper out of any old newspaper or magazine – in this photo courtesy of Tracy’s mom, she’s used a newspaper’s cartoon section. KY

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A paper shopping bag

What I wrapped: A 1,000-piece puzzle from Piecework, recommended in our guide to gifts for her

I’m a regular at my local Trader Joe’s, and I like using one of its thick paper bags to wrap gifts. It adds a handmade look to a store-bought product. Lauren Gould, editorial coordinator, Filter US

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Old artwork

What I wrapped: Bombas toddler slippers and a Yoto mini player for my daughter

My two-year-old daughter has been coming home from daycare all month with a never-ending stream of art projects – handprinted santas, reindeer sticker faces and paint-by-numbers snowmen. Luckily she isn’t precious about her artwork yet (in fact, sometimes she takes them straight to the recycling bin herself), but while searching for wrapping paper for her Hanukkah gifts this week, it occurred to me to use her creations. I think she’ll appreciate seeing her handiwork get another life, and she’ll still get to recycle them once she rips them open. Kira Lerner, democracy editor