Christmas Wrap – Paper or Polyester?

It’s All the Rage!

A study by Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business found that almost 80 percent of U.S. households “expressed anger, frustration or outright rage” with product packaging. With the gift-giving season approaching, we’re sure to see more “wrap rage” – the aggravation felt when attempting to free a product from its hard plastic  clamshell, sealed cardboard, plastic bindings, or wire ties.

Less is Better

Hard-to-open and excess packaging are a growing cause of consumer complaints and injuries. Some manufacturers and retailers are responding by encasing goods in Certified Frustration-Free Packages. Amazon.com, one of the leaders of the “less-is-better” packaging initiative, now ships more than 80,000 different products with minimal or redesigned packaging. The packages are not only easier and safer to open, but they also reduce packaging waste. This is a step in the right direction since a third of all consumer trash sent to landfills is estimated to be packaging material, according to the EPA. That  translates to more than 800 pounds of waste annually per U.S. consumer. During the period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, the amount of household waste jumps by an additional 25 percent.

Everybody – Let’s Furoshiki!

Another large source of consumer trash during the holidays is gift wrapping paper. Almost all gift wrap is used once, then tossed out with regular household trash. For this reason, a movement to revive the ancient art of “furoshiki” has gained popularity among environmentalists and the general public. Originating in medieval Japan centuries ago, furoshiki is the practice of wrapping gifts in reusable fabric. Translated, the term means “bath towel” and it started as a way for people to carry their clothes and toiletries after visiting communal baths, but later it became a handy way to wrap just about anything.

Today, modern furoshiki is made from many types of recycled fabric and is being  embraced by eco-conscious gift givers all over the world. Typically a square piece of fabric is folded, pleated, knotted or tied to hold a gift. The fabric may be used repeatedly to wrap future gifts by the gift giver or recipient. Recycled fabrics in wood-block prints, colorful patterns, and textures are made for all gift-giving occasions.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Of course, the reuse of fabric is nothing new, but the ability to replace the wholesale waste of paper with recycled fabrics is a novel way to save natural resources. It’s estimated that at least 50,000 trees are used to manufacture one year’s supply of gift wrapping paper in the U.S. In Japan, furoshiki has regained popularity and is now embedded in Japanese culture as a symbol of waste reduction. A Japanese Minister of the Environment launched a campaign named “Mottainai Furoshiki” to promote the waste-saving, yet creative alternative to gift wrap paper. The word “mottainai” means “it’s a shame for something to go to waste without having made use of its full potential.” Which is exactly how all of us should view recycling and the reuse of materials – especially those made from natural resources or through intensive human labor.

14 Years of Recycling

At Planet Aid, environmental protection and habitat preservation are two major objectives of its used clothing collection efforts. Used clothing can be repurposed for a variety of multiple uses all over the world. Some may be remanufactured to make recycled fabric, such as furoshiki. Other used clothing may be sold domestically, or in overseas thrift shops at reduced prices that the local population can afford. In lesser-developed nations the strong demand for used clothing creates jobs and is a significant source of income for millions. For the past 14 years, Planet Aid has led the way in transforming used clothing and shoes into economic aid and international development programs. To learn more about Planet Aid and its programs, please visit www.planetaid.org