The Art of Sustainable Gift Wrapping: How We Keep It Green (and Gorgeous)

There’s something magical about receiving a beautifully wrapped gift — the texture of the paper, the neatness of the bow, that little moment of anticipation before opening. But let’s face it: traditional gift wrapping can be incredibly wasteful. Glitter-coated paper, plastic ribbons, unrecyclable tape… they look good for a second, then head straight to landfill.

At Gardening Gifts Co., we believe beautiful doesn’t have to mean wasteful. In fact, our entire wrapping process is designed to be just as kind to the planet as it is pleasing to the eye.

Why Eco-Friendly Wrapping Matters

Gift wrap might seem harmless, but the numbers tell a different story. Every year, UK households use over 227,000 miles of wrapping paper — enough to wrap the entire island of Guernsey, according to a 2024 study by GWP Group. The average household gets through four rolls each festive season, with an estimated 83km² of it ending up in bins.

And it’s not just about volume — a large proportion of wrapping paper can’t be recycled due to plastic coatings, glitter, or laminated finishes.

To put it into perspective:

• 108 million rolls of wrapping paper are binned in the UK every year.
• In 2016, we used enough wrapping paper to circle the globe 22 times.
• Some estimates say the total waste could reach the moon — equivalent to 384,400 km.

It’s no surprise more people are choosing to gift in greener ways. At Gardening Gifts Co., our approach is simple: less waste, more joy. We’ve carefully chosen wrapping materials that are elegant, eco-conscious, and easy to recycle, compost, or reuse — without compromising on style.

What We Use (And Why)

We’ve carefully sourced materials that are elegant, eco-conscious, and practical — so when you choose gift wrap at checkout, you’re choosing better:

• Grass Paper Gift Wrap – Made from fast-growing grass fibres, it has a beautiful, raw texture that looks rustic and luxe all at once. It’s fully recyclable and compostable.
• Biodegradable Cotton Ribbon – Ties up your gift in a soft, natural bow that can be reused or composted.
• Compostable Stickers – Our logo stickers are made from plant-based cellulose — they disappear just as naturally as the plants we love.
• Plastic-Free Protection – Instead of bubble wrap, we use Hive Wrap — a clever, honeycomb-style paper that keeps your gift safe without the plastic guilt.
• FSC-Certified Boxes + Gummed Paper Tape – Even our parcels are designed to be recycled, reused, or composted. The tape? Just paper and a starch-based adhesive. No plastic here!

Hampers That Are Gift-Ready (and Guilt-Free)

Some gifts don’t need extra wrapping — they are the wrapping. Our Gardening Gift Hampers are designed to be opened with delight, straight from the box, with no extra fuss (or waste).

Each hamper arrives in a plain kraft box — simple, stylish, and fully recyclable — wrapped in our signature grass paper sleeve and finished with sustainable, natural touches. But this box isn’t just packaging. We designed our hampers to be reused, repurposed, or fully composted — depending on what suits you best.

The sturdy box is perfect for:

• Storing seeds, tools, or garden labels
• Keeping craft supplies, cables, or odds and ends organised
• Passing it on — reuse it for your next gift and keep the cycle going
• Or, if it’s no longer needed, just toss it in your compost heap or recycle it curbside. Every single component — the box, the sleeve, the tape — is biodegradable.

We didn’t want to create just another gift set. We wanted to create something thoughtful and practical — something that keeps on giving, long after the contents are enjoyed.

Reuse, Repurpose, Repeat

We’re not perfect, but we’re committed to doing better — every parcel, every time. All of our gift wrap is plastic-free, biodegradable, and recyclable, and we make conscious choices about every material we use.

That said, if you spot any plastic in your gift, it hasn’t come from us. It’s simply part of the product’s original packaging from the manufacturer, and we’ve reused it to reduce waste rather than throw it away. We’d much rather repurpose than add to the problem. Our goal is simply to make eco-friendly gifting the norm, not the niche. Because the planet deserves presents too.

Looking for a gift that’s sustainable from the inside out? We have a full gift guide for eco-friendly gardening gift ideas, click here.