LUCAS COUNTY, Ohio — Did you know most wrapping paper isn't recyclable?
In the United States, gift wrap is a highly profitable industry that draws billions of dollars each year. It also generates tons of waste — literally.
An estimated 2.6 billion pounds of wrapping paper ends up in landfills every year in the U.S. alone, according to San Diego State University. In total, the amount of wrapping paper thrown away is enough to cover 40 football fields.
But you can give the gift of sustainability this holiday season while also supporting local small businesses and nonprofits and going green with your gift wrap.
Keep Toledo/Lucas County Beautiful is a nonprofit dedicated to creating greener communities in Toledo and Lucas County through education, litter prevention and partnerships.
The group's annual recyclable holiday wrapping paper sale has returned in partnership with local businesses and nonprofits.
The 100% recyclable wrapping paper is $4 per roll with two options available. One is a birch pattern and the other is double-sided with reindeer on one side and snowflakes on the other.
This year, the wrapping paper is available for purchase at the following locations:
- 577 Foundation - 577 E Front St., Perrysburg, OH 43551
- The Bard's Coffee - 120 Louisiana Ave., Perrysburg, OH 43551
- Jupmode - 2022 Adams St., Toledo OH 43604
- Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity ReStore - 1310 Conant St., Maumee, OH 43537
The sale serves as a fundraiser for Keep Toledo/Lucas County Beautiful's sustainability efforts and to encourage keeping non-recyclable gift wrap out of landfills. Proceeds will also support small businesses.
Last year, Keep Toledo/Lucas County Beautiful and local partners sold 5,520 square feet of recyclable wrapping paper and raised $606 for sustainability efforts.
Other options to go green are to opt for gift bags which can be easily reused, wrap gifts in t-shirts or choose to not use any form of gift wrap at all.
After all, it's what's inside — and the thought — that counts the most.
