Beautiful Wrapping Shouldn't Cost the Earth
Many conventional wrapping papers have a dirty secret: they can't be recycled. Foil finishes, glitter coatings and plastic laminates mean wrapping papers that are destined for landfill the moment the gift is opened. In New Zealand alone, tonnes of non-recyclable wrapping paper is thrown away every year.
The good news? Making a more thoughtful choice doesn't mean compromising on how your gifts look. Here's what you need to know about sustainable gift wrapping — and how to do it beautifully.
Start With the Right Paper
The single biggest impact you can make is choosing wrapping paper that's made from recycled materials and can be recycled again after use.
At Made Paper Co, we print on 100gsm uncoated FSC certified recycled paper. Here's what that means in practice:
- Recycled: Made from post-consumer recycled fibres — giving existing materials a second life instead of cutting down new trees.
- FSC certified: The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an independent, international organisation that sets standards for responsible forest management. FSC certification means the paper supply chain has been independently verified to meet strict environmental and social standards — so you can trust the claims on the label.
- Recyclable: Once your gift is unwrapped, the paper can go straight into your kerbside recycling bin.
- Uncoated: No plastic coatings, no laminate, no glitter — just clean paper that's kind to the planet.
- A satisfying weight: 100gsm feels premium and wraps well, because sustainable shouldn't mean flimsy.
Browse our full range of recycled wrapping paper — designed in New Zealand, available in dozens of beautiful designs for every occasion.
How to Tell If Wrapping Paper Is Recyclable
A quick test: scrunch the paper into a ball. If it stays scrunched, it's likely paper-based and recyclable. If it springs back, it probably has a plastic or foil coating and should go in the bin, not the recycling.
Other things to avoid if you're trying to wrap more sustainably:
- Glitter paper — glitter is microplastic and can't be recycled
- Foil wrapping paper — the metallic coating makes it non-recyclable
- Laminated paper — the plastic layer prevents recycling
- Plastic gift bags — not recyclable in most kerbside collections
Make the Most of Every Sheet or Roll
The most sustainable wrap is the one that gets used well. A few tips to reduce waste:
- Measure before you cut — cutting too much paper is the most common source of wrapping waste. Lay your gift on the paper first and cut to fit.
- Save and reuse — encourage recipients to fold and keep the paper. Our designs are too good to throw away after one use.
- Use every offcut — smaller pieces are perfect for wrapping gift tags, lining boxes, or wrapping small gifts.
Choose Recyclable Finishing Touches Too
It's not just the paper that matters. Our greeting cards and envelopes are made from recycled and recyclable paper. Our gift tags come in PET plastic sleeves — which are recyclable, so pop them in your recycling bin when you're done.
For ribbons and twine, our finishings range includes natural 100% cotton ribbon and paper twine options that are a more considered choice than synthetic ribbon.
A Note on Perfection
Sustainable living is rarely about doing everything perfectly — it's about making better choices where you can. Choosing recycled wrapping paper is a small but meaningful step, and one that doesn't require any compromise on how beautiful your gifts look.
We're proud to make wrapping paper that's genuinely recyclable, and we'll keep working to improve in other areas too.
Shop Recycled Wrapping Paper
Ready to wrap more thoughtfully? Browse our full range of recycled wrapping paper, greeting cards, gift tags, and ribbons and twine — beautiful gifts, lighter footprint.