By Sydney S.
While unwrapping gifts this year, I encourage you to use this quick reference as to what items you can and can’t recycle in Wisconsin. It helps to set aside a few paper bags in the area where you’ll open gifts – 1 for reusing items, 1 for recycling items, and 1 for throwing away items. Then be sure to double-check your recyclables bag against this guide. Your local recycling plant will thank you!
RECYCLING
✔ Plain or printed wrapping paper
✔ Plain or printed paper bags
✔ Cardboard boxes
REUSE OR THROW AWAY
✘ Bows
✘ Tissue paper
✘ Foiled or glittery wrapping paper
✘ String/twine (jute or cotton)
✘ Ribbon (satin or the plastic kind you can curl)
✘ Cellophane bags
Actionable Tips:
Before the Holidays
- Reuse gift bags, wrapping paper, bows, tissue paper, ribbon and boxes whenever possible
- Avoid unnecessary gift tags or stickers; write out your recipient’s name in pretty script on your gift wrap instead
- Use newspaper or brown paper bags (lunch or grocery) to wrap presents
- Purchase recyclable paper bags, boxes, and wrapping paper with a simple print that can be used for any occasion
- Purchase items that are environmentally friendly, like Cream City Ribbon (which is 100% cotton and biodegrades in your compost pile)
After the Holiday
- Sort out your items using the above guide, so only proper materials are placed in your recycling bin
- Reuse what you can and store away for future use
- Think about streamlining your gift wrap – if you have to purchase new gift bags or wrapping paper, I recommend selecting a standard print on brown paper (etc. polka dots or stripes) and tying it off with a simple, reusable bow; this color scheme works for everything from baby showers to retirement gifts
Sources: Pellitteri Waste Systems, John’s Disposal Services, and a shoutout to Green Life Trading Co. for introducing me to Cream City Ribbon
Sustainable Saplings 