Can you put Christmas wrapping paper in the recycling?

If you haven't done it already, Christmas present wrapping will soon start in earnest. But while brightly coloured gifts under the tree are a classic Christmas sight, an overflowing bin doesn't have to be. 

Find out which types of wrapping paper are recyclable, which retailers have recyclable ranges, and what to do with other product packaging. 

Once you get to the Boxing Day clear-up, use the 'scrunch' test on any paper. If wrapping paper scrunched up into a ball in your hand stays scrunched when you release it, it's generally recyclable. If it doesn't, it's likely laminated with plastic or foil-based and so can't be recycled.

There's also the tear test – if it can't be ripped by hand easily, it's likely to be made of materials other than just paper, so it will have to go in with your normal household rubbish.

Wrapping paper also won't be recyclable if it's decorated with any glitter. The same applies to Christmas cards, so avoid buying glittery versions of either. Some retailers have now gone glitter-free across their entire ranges. 

Below, we'll tell you which retailers offer only recyclable paper and which are also FSC-certified.

What makes paper recyclable

Whether paper is successfully recyclable is largely determined by the number of quality fibres it contains. Brown paper or coloured Kraft paper is a great choice, and all councils and recycling centres should accept it as it has long, high-quality fibres. As a bonus, it's often made from partially recycled paper to start with.

But when paper has other extras such as foil shapes or a laminate finish, the amount of quality fibre that can be recycled is reduced. This also applies to very thin paper – while it may technically be recyclable, it may not contain enough quality fibres to make it worthwhile.

Steve Oulds, commercial manager for waste-management company Biffa's material recycling facilities, told us: 'While composite materials may still be recyclable, recycling them becomes more difficult as more processes (and more costs) are involved to return them to being pure paper again.'

Extra sticky tape can also cause a problem for recycling. Get in the habit of removing any plastic sticky tape from paper before putting it in the recycling bin. Paper parcel tape and some paper-based washi tapes can be recycled with the wrapping paper.

Do local councils recycle wrapping paper?

This very much depends on the local authority. If the paper is labelled as recyclable, most councils should accept it.

However, some local councils still say they can't accept any wrapping paper because of issues with the paper quality and the risk of contamination, so it's best to check your council's website for its waste and recycling information.

Some councils may not accept it with household recycling, but will allow you to take it to a household recycling centre.

For more on what can and can't be recycled, visit our guide on how to recycle in the UK

Where to buy recyclable wrapping paper

We gathered information from retailers' websites about their recyclable gift-wrap ranges in December 2024. Where information was not available online, we asked retailers directly. 

The following applies to all paper-based wrapping paper. However, be aware that a retailer's claim that its paper is fully recyclable doesn't guarantee your local council will accept it.

• Asda A wide range of Asda's wrapping paper is recyclable, and this is clearly marked on packaging. It went plastic and glitter-free in all Christmas card and wrapping ranges in 2020. All paper is FSC-certified.  
• Card Factory All wrapping paper, gift bags and boxes are FSC-certified. All wrapping paper is recyclable. All gift bags are recyclable once handles are removed. 99% of gift boxes are recyclable. 
• Clinton Cards told us that most of its range is recyclable and it's moving towards all being recyclable. All is FSC-certified. 
• Dunelm According to its website, all wrapping paper is recyclable and free from glitter and plastic coatings. The paper is all labelled as recyclable on the inside.
• Flying Tiger All wrapping paper is plastic-free, FSC-certified and recyclable. The roll is held together with paper string. Ribbon is either recycled cotton or recycled polyester. 
• Hobbycraft All wrapping paper is recyclable. 
• John Lewis/Waitrose All wrapping paper is glitter-free, FSC-certified and recyclable. 
• Morrisons All wrapping paper is glitter-free (as are all own-brand cards and seasonal items), recyclable and FSC-certified. 
• Sainsbury's All ranges are FSC-certified and recyclable. 
• Tesco (including Paperchase) All wrapping paper, cards, gift bags and crackers are widely recyclable and glitter-free. 
• The Works Most of its wrapping paper is recyclable. However, some of the range still has holographic print, metallic or cellophane elements or has been laminated with a non-recyclable film, which makes it difficult to recycle. 100% of the range is FSC-certified. 
• Waterstones All wrapping paper is FSC-certified and recyclable.
• Wilko All ranges are FSC or PEFC-certified and recyclable. 

Eco-friendly Christmas wrapping ideas

Instead of using new wrapping paper, it's even better to use other types of paper, such as old newspaper or magazine pages.

Start a habit of salvaging nice pieces of wrapping paper, tissue paper, cardboard boxes and parcel wrap you receive that could be used again, along with ribbons, bows and gift bags.

Using pieces of fabric to wrap gifts is a stylish alternative to paper and can be used again and again. It's a traditional Japanese technique called furoshiki wrapping and can yield impressive results.

Plain brown paper might not seem particularly inspiring, but you can make it look festive by using a stamp or paints to add your own patterns, and tying it up with string. Add dried flowers, sprigs of seasonal foliage and cinnamon bark for an extra touch. 

What about other Christmas recycling?

Recycle Now has lots of useful advice on how to dispose of specific packaging or items.

Paper-based Christmas cards and gift tags can usually go in your home recycling. If they have any stuck-on extras, such as ribbons, then these will need to be removed. Glittery cards are not recyclable. An alternative is to cut up cards and use them for gift labels. You can do the same with Christmas crackers.

Ribbons and bows often won't be recyclable as they're made of polyester, which is tricky to recycle. Even when made of recyclable material, they can clog up recycling machinery. Reuse them instead.

Cardboard and cardboard boxes can usually go in your home recycling bin. Remove as much sticky or parcel tape as you can, unless it's paper-based.

Plastic packaging that gifts might come in is sometimes recyclable. Clear 'blister' packaging that moulds around a toy, for example (often with cardboard surrounding it), can usually be put in your home recycling if it's marked PET (a type of plastic). Different materials should be separated before putting them in the recycling bin. The wire or plastic ties that attach a toy or gift to the cardboard backing aren't recyclable, but you can reuse them around the home.

Plastic film and bubble wrap are accepted at most supermarket front-of-store collection points.

You can take unwanted or broken fairy lights to your local recycling centre and recycle them with small electricals. Some local authorities also collect small electrical items.

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