Wrapping paper from holiday gifts is largely to blame for a 25% spike in curbside trash volume between Thanksgiving & New Year’s Day, according to the EPA.

What is the eco-minded gift-giver to do?

The best thing to do if you are giving physical gifts this season is to wrap them in an eco-friendly way. You can make the wrapping a part of the gift, something that can be used for another purpose afterwords, or just use plainer wraps made from recycled materials.

Here are a few ways to give a thoughtfully wrapped present and give back to the Earth too.

Use a Container as Gift Wrap:
Containers make great no-wrapping-needed packaging. It’ll give the recipient a little hint as to what’s inside, but your creative wrapping will get years of use.

• Wooden wine boxes, baskets or tins
• Watering can or garden bucket
• Mixing bowls or a stock pot
• Canvas shopping bag
• Scarves or handkerchiefs
• Towels
• Blankets

Use Art as Gift Wrap:
When you wrap your gifts with art work you can personalize them for each recipient.

• Outdated maps, old posters, sheet music or leftover lightweight wallpaper
• Newspapers, foreign newspapers are great or the Sunday comics
• Kids’ artwork
• Magazine images

Use Recycled Gift Wrap:
To reuse gift wrap is a great way to extend the life of a product.

• Aluminum foil
• Paper or bag from last year