Recycling is rightly top of everybody’s minds right now and Christmas is the time of year that brings more products into our households than ever, that we then need to consider. This includes Christmas giftwrap.
“Let’s admit it – it’s not just children who enjoy that frisson of excitement and anticipation as we tear off the wrapping paper to reveal that surprise gift,” said Michael Johnson, Managing Director of greeting card and giftwrap publisher Card Connection. “Unfortunately there is a lot of confusion amongst consumers as to what can be recycled, not helped by a number scare stories in the media currently claiming all gift wrap in non-recyclable.”
“It’s true that there are some types of gift wrap that are printed on a plastic film, or on paper that uses shiny foils and sparkly glitters, but we use none of these things,” continued Johnson, “that’s why all our giftwrap is recyclable.”
Fortunately, to help consumers the website for the charity WRAP (The Waste and Resources Action Programme) sets out an easy recycling test for your wrap: The scrunch test is a simple way to determine whether wrapping paper is made from metallised plastic film. Simply scrunch the item in your hand – if it remains ‘scrunched’ it can be recycled; if it springs back it is probably metallised plastic film and not recyclable.
So don’t let unnecessary worries about giftwrap recycling get in the way of a great Christmas. For peace of mind just look out for Card Connection’s distinctive black and white rollwrap dispensers pictured here.
“We wouldn’t want families across the nation to lose the simple pleasure of diving into that pile of brightly wrapped gifts under their tree on Christmas morning,” concludes Johnson, “So Merry Christmas, one and all!“