In a few weeks, Christmas, with all the presents that have to be wrapped, and tons of this paper – hastily torn apart by children eager to find their presents – that ends up straight in the trash.
According to Ademe, around 20,000 tons of wrapping paper are consumed during the year-end holidays. Often enriched with all kinds of varnish or glitter, sometimes even difficult to recycle. Excluding all other packaging, it rose 15% during this period.
So many figures require a more ecological but also more economical solution, while a roll of wrapping paper can cost up to half a dozen euros depending on the quality and pattern. “Why not use your old fabric to wrap toys and other gifts? », asks Caroline Vivant, co-founder of the site Lekaba.fr, a responsible consumption guide that advises and recommends products for a more environmentally friendly everyday life.
Instead, use old colored sheets or blankets
Furoshiki is becoming increasingly trendy. This is a Japanese technique of folding and tying fabric that allows you to wrap an object. “More and more shops sell certain fabrics… sometimes for around fifteen euros. Of course they are beautiful and festive, but the most economical and ecological thing is to use sheets, duvet covers or even old colored tablecloths that you cut into large squares,” he explains.
You must provide sufficient size, approximately 40 cm if you want to offer paperback books, 50 to 80 cm for medium-sized gifts (soft toys, board games, etc.) or 80 cm for a bottle of wine. For the technique, several videos/tutorials are available on the Kaba website. But once you get the hang of it, it’s quite simple: place the item in one corner of the fabric, roll it two to three times, before folding the opposite corner and tying the two ends together by making two knots.
“Certain objects that are more round in shape, or wine bottles for example, are wrapped when placed in the middle of the cloth, then we lift the four sides to tie 2 by 2 over the object,” we read on the Kaba website. “You can also add small pine twigs or ribbons to the bow for a personal, more festive touch, or even decorate it,” explains Caroline Vivant.
Customize your tote bag
So how do those who receive gifts wrapped like this react? “I’ve been doing it for several years. At first, people are a little surprised, confused. And wondering what to do with it, he says. I tell them that if they’re going to reuse it, they can keep it. Otherwise, I’ll get it back. If it ends up in the trash, it’s worse than throwing away the paper. » Results: “Nowadays, more and more of them keep it,” he rejoices, remembering that the idea is that the cloth is actually used several times.
If you are still not comfortable with this technique, you can also use a tote bag. “We all have lots of these drugs at home. In fact, there are too many, because these drugs are scattered everywhere,” he said. Just slide a toy, book or other object inside and tie a pretty bow to the handle using ribbon. “It can also be custom, write Merry Christmas to look beautiful,” he suggested.
Apart from wrapping gifts, your used cloth at home can also be used for many other purposes. Before throwing it away (in a specific container, and not in household trash), think about reuse possibilities. Your used towels for example. They are useful for making makeup remover pads. To do this, simply cut it into small circles measuring about 10 cm and sew them together.
“You can also make a box large enough to turn into reusable tissue or napkins,” says Caroline Vivant. With a sock with a hole, you can make a washable sponge. Without forgetting also the spun tights that can be used to make hair elastic: “especially if they are opaque or nylon. Then make cuts of 2 to 3 cm. Done. It is very durable. You will keep it for a long time.” And you don’t need to be a great designer to get started. Take your scissors!
