Giftwrapping: Sustainability

The Green Scene

With giftwrapping suppliers fully embracing the sustainability challenge, PG takes a look at how those in the sector are upping their eco credentials.

Onshoring benefits

“We have significantly upped our commitment to sustainability within our giftwrappings collections over the last year,” assures David Byk, ceo of Swan

Mill (which includes Penny Kennedy,

GBCC and Ling).

“This has included onshoring production of Penny Kennedy’s rollwrap back to the UK, giving retailers the option of having it packaged plastic-free as well as removing all plastic from its gift tags packs.

“To further ease recycling we have also removed the laminate coating on many of our boxes and bags,” adds David.

Left: The new outers proclaims that Penny Kennedy rollwrap is now made in the UK rather than in the Far East as previously. Above: The Unique Paper Company’s stand at the recent Spring Fair clearly demonstrated its major commitment to sustainable production.

Flitter free

“As well as making our entire range 100% flitter free, we have also introduced a new Eco 100% recyclable gift bag range for January 2022,” confirms UKG’s Harriet Ineson, brand product manager - 3D department. “Featuring paper tag strings, print-only patterns and DC handles, consumers can be kind to the planet while still making occasions feel extra-special.”

Adds Harriet: “Additionally, we have removed all plastic packaging from our two sheet two tag packaged wraps and replaced it with a stylish, 100% recyclable paper alternative.”

Below: UKG’s new recyclable Eco gift bag range.

Taxing issues

“The imminent plastic tax, which comes into effect on April 1, gave us an extra push in the sustainable direction where we were already heading,” explains Becky Dobson, md of Glick.

A whole suite of sustainable improvements from the wrappings specialist include a move to using unlaminated white and kraft board for its giftbags, meaning they can be easily recycled once the ribbons are removed/reused. Going a stage further, the company’s latest range of bags in its Paper Salad range includes some bags with paper handles, meaning means the bag can be recycled in its entirety.

“In addition, all our accessories and tissue papers are migrating to brown kraft board packaging, and where cello is required, we’re ensuring it’s produced using recycled materials,” explains Becky. “Meanwhile, the shrinkwrap around our rollwraps will now be made from recycled materials. These are important steps and needed to be done, despite the inherent extra costs they incur,” adds Becky.

Upping the ante

“Deva Designs has been an eco-friendly company from the very beginning,” states designer Reuben Duffy. “Every year we strive to improve on our environmental position as a business, constantly sourcing new techniques and processes, as well as suppliers. We have introduced ribbons made from PET bottles which are 100% recyclable. We also have new curling ribbon which is made from 100%

cotton and is biodegradable. All Deva gift bags are made from FSC approved materials and designed to be recycled - we have even removed the plastic euro hook in favour of a cardboard one. Plus, all of our flat wrap is not only fully recyclable, but also printed in the UK, drastically reducing our carbon footprint.”

Commenting on rollwrap, Deva’s managing director Andrew Maddock adds: “To shrinkwrap or not to shrinkwrap? That is the question. We have gone down the biodegradable shrinkwrap route to protect the roll, so no wasted damaged stock and the wrapping will biodegrade. Also, the paper and card are all FSC, so it’s from managed forests. This year we’re moving production of some rolls into Europe from China, again to further reduce our footprint, which is clearly marked on the label.”

Above: Sustainable, recyclable, biodegradable shrinkwrap from Deva Designs.

Recycled cotton paper

Born out of a love for beautiful wrapping and a passion for tradition, Paper Mirchi focuses on creating luxury artisanal papers that are handcrafted, recyclable and sustainable.

“Eco-friendly products are on track to be the future of retail,” says Paper Mirchi’s founder Rani Moochhala. “We use 100% tree-free recycled cotton paper and combine it with traditional textile processes to include hand block printing, tie dye and techniques such as hand marbling, to create an exceptional range of giftwrap sheets and greeting cards. We work closely with small family-run units in India, where the artisans are passionate about their craft which has been passed down through generations.

Below: Recyclable, sustainable wrap from Paper Mirchi.

A packaging push

Below: Tissue paper from Museums & Galleries comes in plastic-free packaging.

“As a publisher representing high profile brands with their own environmental aims and requirements, M&G has been driving to more sustainable production methods for a number of years,” states

Museum & Galleries’ creative

director Ben Dorney.

“Our 2022 launch has seen our biggest company-wide push on more sustainable packaging options to date. This program - which started with our innovative paper ecoBand wraps for single cards in 2018 - is developing across our entire range of products, but on gift packaging specifically. It means that all new tissue paper and rollwrap designs and future reprints will be sold in plastic-free packaging.

“All our paper products are already printed on FSC-accredited board,” continues Ben, “with all cards, notecards and giftwrap printed in the UK. We're also aiming to reduce plastic content where possible in our products, from alternatives to glue, or selecting paper-based/cotton cords for gift bags instead of fabrics with any plastic content.”

Bow to Bown

“At Studio 9, we are committed to doing our best for the environment,” explains founder Alex Bown. “In 2021 we moved our giftwrap production back to the UK from Europe - keen to get this a bit closer to home - but without compromising on quality or materials.

“Our gift wrap is printed on FSC-certified paper stock using vegetable inks as an alternative to petroleum-based inks - making production a little kinder on the environment, packaged in recycled packaging.”

Wrap that lives on

“It is an accolade for us that our reversible crackle wraps is in the finals of Gift of The Year 2022 awards,” enthuses Wrag Wrap’s co-founder Nicky Rajska. “In a category that historically has been dominated by single-use paper products, this is a true indictment that our industry is prioritising sustainability and placing it in a top position.” She continues: “as a certified social enterprise we are always reviewing what we do and ensuring that we are at the forefront of any developments that can improve what we do for the benefit of our planet, without any compromise on function or aesthetics. For our 2022 launches, to celebrate our 10th birthday later in the year, we are working with a new all women’s co-operative to produce products for us.

“We have to ensure that the processes and materials that we use leave a lighter trace than that of a paper giftwrap product. Fabric has its own issues when it comes to cradle to grave sustainability, and we only work with fabrics that have the lightest touch of all, hence the use of traceable and certified recycled polyester as this is the fabric with the lowest impact of all textiles, even organic cottons.”

Above Wrag Wrap’s reversible crackle wrap.

New sustainable initiatives

“We strive to achieve important sustainability targets,” says

Artebene’s owner,

Dr. Rüdiger Kress. “We have been a carbon neutral company since November 2019, and in 2020 we pursued two further sustainability initiatives. With our ‘No plastic bag - let’s keep our planet green’ initiative we omit outer packaging for more and more of our products, actively reducing waste. And under the motto ‘Use me twice, so our world stays nice’ we provide all bags with an embossing, highlighting their premium quality and that the bags are worth using more than once. In 2022 we are pursuing an additional sustainability initiative - gras giftwrap - which is wonderfully sustainable. The fast growing raw material of gras causes 75% less CO2 emissions than wood and its production consumes 80% less water.”

Above: Gras giftwrap is new from Artebene.

Fully recyclable

“We have always been keen to work with suppliers and retailers in waste accountability and seek improved alternatives,” states

Rachel Hare, creative director and boss lady at Belly Button

Designs. “Reducing plastic within our portfolio and practice is not new to Belly Button. Over three-quarters of our bags are produced on uncoated paper and are fully recyclable - all our new designs are too, including the tags. We keep foil to a minimum to help in recycling.”

Right: Recyclable bags and tags in Belly Button’s Hearts collection.

Keep on (re)cycling

“With giftwrap, as with all of our paper products, we ensure that we use FSCapproved components and suppliers and that everything is fully recyclable,” confirms

sales director

Carolyn Verderame.

Left: Caroline Gardner’s paper products include gift packaging that is fully recyclable.

From blue to green

Cottoning on

Above: Globe Enterprise uses screen-printed papers.

“Globe Enterprise has always sourced environmentallyfriendly wrapping papers and paper products,” states Globe Enterprise’s founder Dipika Shah. “Our handmade papers are produced using left over cotton, a by-product of India’s huge garment industry, which we recycle into something beautiful.”

Explains Dipika: “Over the last few seasons we have been actively taking steps to reduce the glitter papers in our range. Now we can proudly say we are down to the last handful, and only in the Christmas ranges. We have focused on screen-printed papers, handmade by artisans, offering the highest levels of precision to create the perfect motifs, sheet after sheet. This has given us ever more beautiful wrapping papers and allowed us to support local artisans and producers.” In mid 2021, Out of The Blue Studios launched a new brand, Acquire quality giftwrap, as part of the wholesale publisher’s everyday in-stock range.

As Peter Rawlingson, co-owner and sales director, explained: “As part of Out of The Blue Studios’ commitment to a more eco range, we produced all of the wrap and tags using FSC accredited paper to offer our wholesale/distributors a ‘greener’ option.

“On the back of the success of the flat wrap and tags we have launched 24 designs of two sheet/two tag packs, again with eco and value as top priorities.”

No cover up

The Art File has been pulling out all the eco stops in its 25th anniversary year - even taking into account the outer packaging for its products. “I wouldn’t even say it’s exciting,” said James Mace, sales and marketing manager. “It’s vital for all companies to do this so we can all do our bit to save our planet.” On the giftwrappings side, new bags that made their debut at Spring Fair are laminate-free, meaning the products can be easily recycled fully alongside other paper products. “One of the largest challenges during our continued sustainability campaign has been the cello that surrounds our popular rollwraps - we’re absolutely delighted to announce that, after much testing and trialling with key retailers, the rollwrap is now cello free!” proclaimed James last month.