The Best Recyclable Wrapping Paper you Should Use This Holiday Season
Did you know that not all wrapping paper is created equal? Some of it is entirely plastic, some of it is paper with plastic accessories, and some of it is ACTUALLY eco-friendly made from 100% paper like today’s brand up for review, Wrappily.
Always check the material before recycling or composting!
Anyway, let’s review Wrappily
Cost
Wrappily runs at $10-11 for 3 sheets of double-sided wrapping paper. Each sheet is 21.5" x 34” making it $10-11 for 15.2 sqft of wrapping paper. Let’s compare that to some other brands of regular and recyclable paper.
Rifle Paper Co runs about $11 for 20 sqft (non-recyclable)
Amazon is about $20 for 75 sqft (non-recyclable)
Hallmark is $5 for 30 sqft (non-recyclable)
Brown Kraft Paper from Hobby Lobby is $6 for 100 sqft (recyclable)
So, it’s safe to say Wrappily is on the pricey end. But, you’re paying for it to be environmentally conscious. Of course, you can reuse it to get more bang for your buck
What makes it eco-friendly?
As we briefly touched on, not all wrapping paper is good for the planet. In fact, MOST of it is not good for the planet due to its non-recyclability and the fact that the part that makes it non-recyclable is plastic which is also harmful to create.
There are a number of things that make Wrappily so much better for the planet than other brands to include:
It is made from recycled materials
It is fully recyclable or compostable (or reusable)
It is printed with soy-based inks vs petroleum-based inks
It is packaged in bioplastic vs petroleum-based plastic
It ships plastic-free
For those of us in the US, it is printed right here in Washington BUT it is also milled, printed, and packaged in WA making it much less shipping than doing all of those parts in different places around the globe
They are certified by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative
As you can see, they are really doing a lot to make this the most sustainable wrapping paper they can! I love that they do so much more than just picking one of these eco initiatives and instead, they do them all.
How to tell if wrapping paper is recyclable
If your wrapping paper is 100% plastic, it will crinkle and then bounce back close to its original form. It will also be shiny and feel like a plastic bag or balloon
If it’s paper/plastic combo, it may feel a bit like paper but will be kind of slippery and shiny, think of a receipt or have obvious signs of glitter and other plastic pieces like this bag
If it’s 100% paper it will have a more rough texture, like newspaper, and stay in a ball when crumpled
When in doubt, you can also check the brand’s packaging and/or website for details about what it is made of
Rating
Let’s get into the full review!
Cost: 3.5/5
Not terrible, but definitely not the cheapest. While some of us are willing and able to buy according to our values, that is not always the case for everyone so I think price may deter some folks.
Packaging/Shipping: 4.5/5
While I understand the need for the bioplastic wrap to keep it dry, I wish there was a better alternative just because not everyone has access to compost, in fact, very few people do, especially in the US. But, I do love that their shipping chain is much less than other brands that are made and printed and packaged in different regions.
Other sustainability initiatives: 5/5
I really cannot say enough good things about their wide array of sustainability initiatives. All too often we see brands just do one small eco thing…not Wrappily. They really are striving to be as eco as possible and it is evident with the variety of ways they make their business more eco—friendly. Plus, they have 3rd party certifications which is a great chance they are not greenwashing.
Designs: 4/5
While I personally love all of their designs, I know they aren’t for everyone. I would love to see more styles for folks with more masculine taste, folks who want plain wrapping paper and not patterned, and more holiday themes as well. While this isn’t a huge category to rate, I feel it important to mention every aspect of their brand.
Total: 17/20
That’s quite a good score! I highly recommend Wrappily because of their cute designs, their high environmental standards and efforts toward sustainability, and the fact that they are recyclable.
Of course, always take off any plastic tape, bows, ribbons, etc (or shop their paper bows and ribbons) before recycling.
If you want more tips for wrapping gifts that are free or lower cost, check out this video
At the end of the day, I suggest Wrappily if you’re in the market for cute and recyclable wrapping paper and I personally will be supporting them any time I need wrapping paper
Thanks so much for reading along and as always, remember that your small actions make a big difference in the long run :)
Emma
