6 very sustainable ideas for paperless gift wrapping

The message of the recent Climate Summit held in Madrid is very clear: we do not have a planet B and we all, governments, companies and citizens, must do our part to save the environment. Of course, you and your company are also included. What can you do in your business this Christmas? Be a little more EcoResponsible in the selection of your packaging with actions such as, for example, wrapping paperless gifts.

The cost of printed paper, which is unfeasible to recycle in most cases, is enormous at this time of year:

• A survey carried out by GP Batteries in the UK puts British consumption at 108 million rolls over Christmas 2017, plus 40 million units of tape, giving an average of four rolls of paper and 1.5 rolls of tape per family.
• Meanwhile, a study by Sundale Research reveals that Americans spent a total of $12.7 billion on gift wrapping and gift bags in all of 2017.

We can’t close our eyes any longer to this unsustainable drift. It’s time to forget the traditional method and go for cleaner, original, recyclable and reusable ideas. At RAJA® we have 6 proposals for wrapping paperless gifts. Which ones do you prefer?

1. Cloth, do you know the Furoshiki technique?

Using fabric to wrap gifts without paper has several advantages:

• It allows you to reuse old garments, curtains, scraps of fabric, sheets..
• The pieces of fabric can always be reused as a handkerchief, scarf, napkin, tea towel, kitchen towel, etc.

On the other hand, fabric as an accessory to prepare gifts has become a trend on Instagram thanks to the Furoshiki technique, originally from Japan. The furoshiki is a square scarf that is folded and knotted, covering the object with a few movements. The result is aesthetic, eco-friendly and very elegant!

2. Towels

If you sell cosmetics, perfumery, toiletries or make-up, a very attractive option for wrapping paperless gifts is to accompany them with a towel.

This is an ideal solution for the less crafty, as you can simply wrap the towel around the gift and secure it with textile ribbons or raffia string. If you’re an ace crafter, you can also try your hand at the exciting world of origami with towels.

3. Reusable gift boxes

if you sell gourmet food, jewellery, wine, ties or other premium products, then gift boxes are the right thing for you.

This type of packaging stands out for its high quality and careful finish, essential to make a special gift look as it deserves. It is also a sustainable packaging: because of its beauty and functionality, the gift recipient will not hesitate to give it a second life. Some possibilities are to serve as a container for a new gift; or as a box to store sweets, sewing supplies or small trinkets.

4. Old calendars, kraft, newspapers and obsolete road maps

This fourth idea has a trick… because it’s not really about wrapping gifts without paper. Admittedly, you will need paper, but not wrapping paper! And you won’t even have to buy it. Just use items made from cellulose that you haven’t thought of before, such as:

• Wallcalendars from previous years.
• Obsoleteroad maps (why would you want them when you have Waze or Google Maps?).
• Old newspapers– if they’re the best for wrapping sandwiches, sardines and roasted chestnuts… why not for a book or a scarf?
• Kraft paperwe’ve also created a new range of gift packaging, the kind of packaging you usually use to stuff and protect your shipments – an essential 2-in-1 that is also recyclable and recyclable.

5. Personalised bags for wrapping paperless gifts

Sometimes the simplest solution for taking care of the environment is very close to us… and we didn’t even realise it. The problem with wrapping paper is that, as soon as it has done its job, we throw it away. However, if we give our gifts in a personalised bag, everything changes! There will be no more discarded packaging and the bag can be reused dozens of times by the recipient.

what are you waiting for? Let your creativity run wild and personalise your shop bags this Christmas with RAJA®.

6. Re-used boxes

A cereal packet, a shoebox or a potato crisp tube are excellent examples of packaging that, after housing a first product, can be transformed into a presentation wrapper for a second item. Start looking at everything you consume with different eyes and get yourself an arsenal of boxes that can be reused. 100% sustainable idea for wrapping paperless gifts… and very economical!

At RAJA® we have embarked with you on the adventure of EcoResponsible gift and retail packaging. Check out our selection of products for a cleaner environment, and join the movement for a sustainable Christmas!