[Grovenet] Reduce, reuse, recycle gift wrap

[Geri]

Good morning, Jane!

I've used the cards-to-tags idea before, plus made tags from graphics on gift wrap. Like Katie, I sure enjoy hearing other people's ideas and techniques.


Geri

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <phoenixacm at aol.com>
To: <grovenet at rdrop.com>
Sent: Friday, December 19, 2008 7:11 AM
Subject: Re: [Grovenet] Reduce, reuse, recycle gift wrap


>I hope you enjoy the process as much as I do!
> 
> 
> 
> Jane B-P
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Katie Allnutt <allnutt at verizon.net>
> To: Forest Grove local interests list <grovenet at rdrop.com>
> Sent: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 1:08 pm
> Subject: Re: [Grovenet] Reduce, reuse, recycle gift wrap
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 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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