Unwrapping Your Impact

While changing your wrapping paper may seem like a small switch in your life, there is magic in incremental change. Collectively, individual choices make a huge difference. Here’s a look at the impact our Wrappily community made this holiday season.

Making a simple swap to a more eco-friendly wrapping paper may not feel like a big move, but when we look at the larger picture we can start to see the true impact of your switch to Wrappily. Every year an estimated 4.6 million pounds of wrapping paper is used in the U.S., most of which ends up in the landfill. As you know, traditional wrap is difficult to recycle due to glossy coatings, glitter, foils, or flockings that wreak havoc on machinery and make accessing the actual fiber exceedingly difficult. Producing a pound of paper emits roughly 3.5 lbs. of CO2 into the atmosphere. This only accounts for production, not transportation—with almost all conventional roll wrapping paper printed overseas, its true environmental cost is much higher. 

Let's dive in for a deeper look at ways in which Wrappily is different from conventional roll wrapping paper and how making the small switch to more sustainable gift wrap model is good for you and the planet.

Using Better Materials

Wrappily made the conscious choice to produce a newsprint wrapping paper for its compostability, recyclability, high recovery rates, and lower production impact. 

We know that our material responsibility doesn’t end once we’ve sold a product to you. That’s why we chose a material that is 100% compostable and recyclable! Once you’ve used (and maybe even reused) your Wrappily, feel free to add it to your backyard compost pile or community compost bin.

Recycling is the next best solution. Paper fiber from newspapers stays fairly intact and can be recycled up to seven times. While some virgin material is always required to make new paper, the ‘virgin’ material used is often sawdust, a remnant from lumber yards. This diverts waste and makes the paper making and paper recycling industry highly efficient.

Newsprint has the highest recovery rate of any recyclable material. In the United States, over 73% of all newspapers are recovered and recycled (roughly 9 million tons every year!) High recovery rates coupled with high recyclability makes the newsprint industry a semi-closed loop that saves a ton of natural resources used in virgin manufacturing. 

In addition, Wrappily comes off the newspaper press as a folded sheet, eliminating the need for an inner cardboard tube. In our continued commitment to plastic-free packaging, our packs come in a plant-based PLA sleeve to ensure that the products are transported and stored safely.

Committing to a More Sustainable Industry

Protecting our forests is a critical component of meeting global sustainability goals. Deforestation doesn’t just remove our planets greatest CO2 sequesters, it contributes to the loss of biodiversity and increasing conflict around land use issues. We are committed to promoting more sustainable forestry by engaging with suppliers and vendors that uphold the highest standards around the environmental, social, and economic issues facing the paper industry.

Shortening Supply Chains

Traditional wrapping papers are generally printed overseas and travel thousands of miles by land, sea, and air to reach your home. This long-reaching supply chain contributes significantly to global emissions by burning fossil fuels and polluting our air and waterways. In contrast, Wrappily is milled, printed, and packaged in Washington State. Our shortened supply chain significantly reduces the environmental footprint of your wrapping paper while supporting domestic businesses and industry.

One ton of wrapping paper equates to 10,000 packs of Wrappily. Collectively this 1:1 swap equates to:

• 8,750 miles not being driven by the average passenger vehicle
• 397 gallons of gasoline not being consumed
• 3,886 pounds of coal not being burned

Revitalizing Local Economies

Did you know that Wrappily is printed on neighborhood newspaper presses? Wrappily founder, Sara Smith, grew up in the printing industry and her affinity for the press room continued to grow during a decade spent working in the publishing industry. We love that our business model helps this industry find new applications.

Wrappily is so grateful for the opportunity to support and enhance your sustainability journey and continued efforts. While it may seem like a small switch in your life, we know there is magic in incremental change. Collectively, choices do make a difference.

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About the Consultant

Nicole Pamani is an experienced operations, strategy, and management consultant with a focus on people, planet, and profit. Over the course of her career she has gathered 9+ years of experience in logistics, supply chain management, leadership training, systems creation, HR, team management, digital strategy, marketing, and copywriting. Currently, Nicole works with small businesses, brands and nonprofit organizations to find sustainable solutions, maximize operational efficiency, build stronger teams, and create captivating narratives. She received her MBA in Sustainability from Bard College in May 2020. Prior to that, she received her Bachelor of Science in Journalism and International Studies from the University of Miami in May 2011. Nicole is also the host of Do What You Can For the People, a web series dedicated to sustainability, entrepreneurship, and mental health. To learn more please visit npamani.com.

Sources:

• https://earth911.com/home-garden/holiday-tip-dont-recycle-gift-wrap/

• https://oecd-environment-focus.blog/2019/12/24/what-is-the-environmental-footprint-of-christmas/

• https://www.wm.com/location/california/ventura-county/west-hills/recycle/facts.jsp

• http://www.itseasytorecycle.org/Newspaper.cfm

• https://www.gwp.co.uk/guides/christmas-packaging-facts/

• https://www.gwp.co.uk/guides/christmas-packaging-facts/

• https://www.azocleantech.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=326

• https://www.gwp.co.uk/guides/christmas-packaging-facts/