Cut The Wrap this Christmas - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Christmas tree and Christmas presents

Most people assume all wrapping paper can be recycled but this is not the case.

Often plastic-based, dyed, laminated and usually decorated with non-paper additives such as glitter, it is one of the largest victims of waste. Paper with leftover sticky tape or decorations still attached prevents a large amount of wrapping paper from being recycled.

This Christmas, UK based recycling company First Mile is on a mission to Cut The Wrap.

Each year, over 227,000 miles of wrapping paper is thrown away, enough to wrap around the Earth’s Equator nine times.

It’s estimated that Brits alone use and bin the equivalent of 108 million rolls of wrapping paper, using on average four rolls of paper per household.

This year, the company hopes to encourage Brits to reduce, reuse and recycle, in a bid to be more sustainable over the festive period.

First Mile is launching Cut The Wrap in an attempt to shed some light on the colossal Christmas waste created by UK consumers every year.

This year First Mile is looking to spread awareness and inspire consumers to get creative when it comes to wrapping.

From eco-friendly alternatives, newspapers and magazines to recycled brown paper and cloth, there is no limit to how inventive you can be when it comes to wrapping.

Founder and CEO of First Mile Dr. Bruce Bratley says: “Cut The Wrap is a small step in helping us to engage with the masses, spreading the belief that every person has the power to conserve rather than consume.

“With waste up by 30% over Christmas, we’re trying to cut wrapping paper waste as it’s such an easy one to avoid. It’s something that everyone can do and have some fun with.”