The best eco-friendly wrapping paper – and its alternatives

Whether you’re clumsily covering a gift in any old paper or wrapping it neatly and finishing with a bow, the wrap is sure to be discarded within seconds – and then what happens to it?

You may have heard of the “scrunch test”, which says that if you crumple the paper into a ball and it stays that shape, you can recycle it, but if it expands again, you can’t. And, hopefully, most of us know that if the gift wrap has any foil, glitter or remains of sticky tape, it’s automatically destined for landfill.

But with so many options out there, and retailers throwing around eco buzzwords like they’re going out of fashion, trying to find a truly sustainable gift wrap can be tricky. So, we’ve found some of the greener options, from reusable gift bags and recyclable paper to present toppers.

The best eco-friendly wrapping paper

Christmas dragon paper, 1-metre sheet
_{£1.85 at Planet Wrap It}

This hand-drawn design is printed on to paper made from 80% recycled materials and is free from non-recyclable contaminants, making it completely recyclable.

Robin paper, 10 metres
_{£8 at RSPB Shop}

This classic offering from the RSPB is sustainably sourced, recyclable, and glitter- and foil-free. Plus, it comes in compostable shrink-wrap packaging.

Sugar cane paper, 10 metres
_{£14.50 at Cox and Cox}

Simple but luxurious, this crisp cream paper is made from recycled sugar cane.

Apres Brights wrapping set
_{£8 at Next}

This bold set comes with raffia twine, a biodegradable material made from palm leaves, and the paper is FSC certified and recyclable.

Festive food paper, 15 metres
_{£7 at Next}

Next’s retro festive food-themed paper is FSC certified and is completely recyclable.

Rudolph paper, 12 metres
_{£8.99 at Amazon}

Printed on 100% recycled paper, this abstract Rudolph design is classic but fun.

Ice skaters paper, six sheets and six tags
_{£11.95 at Amazon}

This sweet ice rink design is printed on uncontaminated paper using vegetable inks, making it biodegradable and recyclable.

Christmas countryside paper, six sheets and six tags
_{£11.95 at Amazon}

This lovely countryside village gift wrap was designed and printed in the UK and is 100% recyclable, including the packaging it is sent in.

The best eco-friendly gift bags

Brown paper gift bags, 10
_{£2.50 at Paper Tree}

Made by an independent shop based in West Sussex, these paper bags with a snowy scene are made of recyclable and FSC-approved materials.

Robin gift bags, 10
_{£2.50 at Paper Tree}

From the same company as above, these recyclable bags with cheery birds and a red berry design are a great hassle-free option for gift wrapping.

Cotton tree gift bags, for three
_{£5.94 at Etsy}

These reusable gift bags are plastic free and zero waste because they can be used year after year, and the drawstring means no tape is needed.

Jute gift bag
_{£3.50 at Dunelm}

Jute is a plant-based material that is 100% biodegradable and recyclable. This could be reused as a gift bag or a bag for life.

The best eco-friendly cloth gift wrap

Furoshiki is a traditional Japanese style of wrapping gifts using colourful cloth, making it a great zero-waste alternative to paper as the material can be reused and doesn’t require tape.

Upcycled sari gift wrap
_{From £4 at Etsy}

Made from repurposed saris, this wrapping material is beautiful and eco-friendly.

Christmas furoshiki wraps, set of four
_{£16 at Etsy}

This independent shop sells its 100% cotton wraps individually or in sets.

Christmas furoshiki fabric
_{From £8.91 at Etsy}

This handmade fabric comes in multiple designs and will be sent in recyclable packaging.

Retro flower cloth wrap
_{From £15.72 at Amazon}

This beautiful floral design is printed on to a 100% cotton material.

The best eco-friendly wrapping accessories

Twine and string

Mixed hemp string, pack of three
_{£3.50 at RSPB Shop}

The trio of strings is made from hemp, which is a biodegradable and sustainable material.

Twine and gift tag set
_{£11.99 at Amazon}

This handy set comes with cotton and jute string and 100 cardboard gift tags.

Raffia gift twine, pack of 11
_{£10 at John Lewis}

Sustainable and fully compostable, this set comes with lots of different colours to elevate your wrapping.

Gold bird gift tags, 10
_{£2.50 at RSPB Shop}

These lovely gift tags come with hemp string to attach them to presents and will be sent in plastic-free packaging.

Snowy scene gift tags, six
_{£2.70 at Etsy}

These beautiful tags are printed in England on 100% recycled paper with cotton string. The tags and the packaging they’re sent in are also recyclable.

Star tags with twine, 200
_{£7.99 at Amazon}

This set consists of jute twine and enough paper tags to cover all of your presents.

Paper tape

Unlike sticky tape, the paper variety is often biodegradable and can be recycled along with cardboard boxes and paper bags. Better still, these paper tapes have beautiful designs that will raise your wrapping game.

British tits paper tape, 50-metre roll
_{£6.50 at RSPB Shop}

Printed with hand-drawn pictures of birds, this tape is produced using renewable resources and can be recycled.

Christmas paper tape, 50-metre roll
_{£6.50 at Etsy}

This paper tape is compostable and comes in two festive designs.

Stars paper tape, 50-metre roll
_{£3.75 at &Keep}

Made with a natural rubber-based adhesive, this tape is compostable and recyclable.

Present toppers

Paper mistletoe gift toppers
_{£1.35 at Paper Tree}

As with its gift bags, this company’s handcrafted toppers are made from eco-friendly paper.

Paper poinsettias
_{£1.40 at Paper Tree}

Add an extra special touch to your presents with these beautiful paper poinsettias.

Gingerbread wrapping charms, 12
_{£6.50 at Cox and Cox}

Made from recycled kraft paper, these charms are made to resemble freshly iced gingerbread biscuits.

Dried flower gift wrap kit
_{£32 at Etsy}

This set comes with gift wrap, dried flower present toppers, gift tags, string, petals for inside the present and even a vintage-style bell.

Dried orange and cinnamon present toppers
_{£2.85 at Etsy}

Make your presents extra festive with these natural present toppers.

What you need to know

Are the materials sustainably sourced?
Retailers may say their product is eco-friendly just because it’s recyclable, but it’s important to ensure that the materials have also been sourced responsibly. If the product is made from recycled materials or is FSC approved, then it’s a pretty safe bet. And if you want to elevate your presents, opt for a hemp twine over a ribbon that’s mainly composed of plastic (unless you plan to reuse it).

Can the materials be recycled?
If a product can be recycled, then it will be made clear in the description. This goes beyond just the gift wrap, with many paper tape options now also available.

It’s important to check your local council’s recycling rules because they can differ between regions. If in doubt, many councils release specific Christmas recycling guidance before the big day.

Can the materials be reused?
It’s always better to reuse than to recycle, so buying more durable items that you can keep and use time and time again is a great option for the eco-conscious. The jute gift bags and furoshiki fabric we’ve listed here are ideal examples of that.