[Grovenet] Reduce, reuse, recycle gift wrap

[Katie Allnutt]

Thanks Jane,
   I think it helps to learn what techniques other people use so we  
can try them too.
I do similar things (like no bows) but my recycled paper usually only  
makes it around twice.
   I don't shop for Christmas cards because I am on so many lists of  
places that send me cards as a thank you for my donation. I can't  
throw them out but I suppose I could cut them up for tags.

Katie


On Dec 18, 2008, at 12:02 PM, Phoenixacm at aol.com wrote:

> So, I am in the middle of a multi-year program to green up my  
> Christmas.
> Thought I would give you a status report.
>
> 1-Reduce:
> -The Burch-Pesses household no longer buys bows.   There are other  
> ways to
> make packages look pretty and most of the presents we buy get  
> mailed out so they
> would arrive with smashed bows anyway.
> -The Burch-Pesses household no longer buys ribbon, except for the  
> "crinkle"
> ribbon.   It's only about a quarter of an inch wide (which reduces  
> the amount
> of ribbon going in the landfill) and we no longer circle the  
> package twice with
> the ribbon, only once.
>
> 2-Reuse:
> -At the end of the holiday season I go through the Christmas cards  
> we have
> received and cut them up to make gift tags (the to: from: cards  
> that go on the
> wrapped present). So the Burch-Pesses household no longer buys gift  
> tags.   I
> actually find this to be a fun and somewhat creative project.   I  
> cut tags in
> all sizes and shapes and use a hole punch to punch a hole in them  
> so that the
> single band of crinkle ribbon on the gifts ties the pretty gift tag  
> on the
> package (so if the recipient wants to s/he can reuse the gift wrap).
> -Any gift bags, tissue paper, bows, or gift wrap on presents we  
> receive is
> saved to be reused. I find it easy to do.   It only fills one of  
> the many
> Christmas boxes we have.   Pieces of gift wrap usually get smaller  
> and smaller until
> they are no longer usable.   Tissue paper is reused until it is too  
> ratty and
> then is usually used as padding in the boxes of presents we mail out.
>
> 3-Recycle:
> This, unfortunately, is the weak spot.   Cards and wrap that have  
> foil (gold
> or silver looking stuff) on them are not recycle-able.   Tissue  
> paper is not
> recycle-able.   (Of course, ribbon and bows are not recycle-able.)
> -The Burch-Pesses household does not buy Christmas cards that do  
> not have
> recycled content.   This is the hardest thing we do - tracking down  
> Christmas
> cards with recycled content.   We find them, but it's a  
> challenge.   We found
> them at Freddies last year.   I went to Hallmark and Target last  
> night and
> couldn't find any cards or wrap that had recycled content.    
> Strangely enough, I
> found some truly ugly cards at Target that look like they are made  
> from kraft
> paper (the kind grocery bags are made of) and they didn't even have  
> recycled
> content!
> -Our Christmas newsletter is printed on paper with 100% recycled  
> content.
>
> Yes, I know that sending ecards would produce less waste and burn  
> less fossil
> fuel than mailing cards.   We may get to that eventually, but right  
> now it's
> way too much fun sending and receiving cards.
>
> Wishing you a green Christmas!
>
> Jane B-P
>
>
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