Are you wrapped up green? |
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Every year we engage in an activity of flurry of harmful gift wrapping with products that contain bleach, toxic heavy-metal dyes, non sustainably sourced paper, plastic and a load of non recyclable products.
When gift-giving, nobody's goal is the depletion of forests, engorgement of landfills or filling our oceans with non-biodegradable materials. Why not consider a gift within a gift? Does a College student require new sheets, bath towels? Do you know someone who could use a new kitchen whisk or baking tin (check out www.nakedpan for eco options of cooking with recyclable cookware)? What about a new lunch box for the high school student? Perhaps enclose a gift within the baking tin, substitute ribbons unless they are green ribbon options. If you want eco-friendly ribbon, go online to order natural, biodegradable ribbons made using plant dyes instead of chemicals. Better yet, avoid the shipping and don't buy anything at all; a bit of yarn works perfectly well as a ribbon if you crochet or knit, as do strips of thin cloth if you sew. Perhaps look at using a Japanese style wrapping called Furoshiki. Great for wrapping anything round articles, bottles, books, boxes. Also ideal for carrying lunch boxes and other items (even a stylish bag). In fact, decorative cloth as gift wrap is far superior to paper products, can be knotted fancily (eliminating the need for ribbon). Cloth is far more ideal than paper for reusing year after year. If you are reliant upon tape, choose biodegradeable tape produced by Sellotape. Is there a gardener in the family? Why not buy seed paper for wrapping gifts? These sheets of biodegradable wrapping contain actual seeds; plant the paper and watch your garden grow. In addition to the above options, you'll find companies online that offer recycled wrapping paper and even tree-free wrapping paper made from seeds like hemp and flax. Explore all your options and make it a green Christmas this year! Image is a japanese wrapping cloth - furoshiki.
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