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How to Recycle Christmas Packaging
How to Recycle Christmas Packaging
Christmas is a time of excitement, gifts and celebrations, but it’s also when we create a lot of waste. From wrapping paper and christmas cards to boxes, bags, envelopes and plastic packaging, knowing what can go in your recycling bin , and how to dispose of the things that can’t, makes a huge difference.
This 2025 guide helps you recycle smarter, cut down on rubbish and reuse what you already have. Please remember, the things local councils recycle vary. You can find out more about recycling services local to you, by using the Recycling Collections page.
Recycling Christmas Packaging: What Goes Where?
Wrapping Paper – Use the Scrunch Test
It seems strange, but did you know that not all wrapping paper is recyclable? Especially anything with glitter, foil or a laminated finish. This is because lots of wrapping paper is lined with plasitcs, foils, glitter or is to thin for paper mills to reuse.
Want to check if you can recycle your Christmas paper?
Try the scrunch test:
Scrunch the paper into a tight ball.
If it stays scrunched, it can go in your paper recycling (council dependent)
If it springs open, it belongs in general waste.
Don’t forget to remove tape, ribbons and bows before recycling your wrapping paper. Alternatively, you could switch to using recyclable paper tape
2. Christmas Cards & Envelopes
Most christmas cards, envelopes and paper presents packaging are recyclable as long as they’re free from glitter.
To recycle them, just pop them straight into your recycling bin. Alternatively, you can reuse them and cut them into gift tags for next years Christmas Gifts. UpcycleMyStuff has a great guide on how to do this
4. Cable Ties
Many Toys and christmas gifts come secured with cable ties. Sadly, these cannot be easily recycled. It’s recommended that you place them in general waste. For more information on Cable Tie Recycling, GTSE has a very helpful guide.
3. Cardboard Boxes
Great news! Most gift boxes, toy packaging and delivery parcels are widely recyclable.
If you can’t reuse them, simply flatten the boxes down and pop them in your paper and cardboard recycling.
5. Soft Plastics
Flexible plastic packaging, such as chocolate wrappers, plastic film around toys and wrapping from clothing, can be recycled at many UK supermarkets through soft-plastic recycling bins.
Top 10 Christmas Gifts 2025 – and How to Recycle Their Packaging
Packaging: Cardboard box & brown paper = recyclable.
Plastic film: Recycle at supermarket soft-plastic collection points.
Barbie Dolls & Hot Wheels Sets
Mattel are working to achive, by 2030, 100% recycled, recyclable, or bio-based plastic in its products. Since 2021, their paper and wood products have contained 97.9% recycled or FSC® certified materials.
- Boxes: Recyclable cardboard
- Plastic blisters: Soft-plastic recycling.
- Old toys: If they’re in good condition, donate to charity. If they can’t be played with any more, it’s free to recycle them through the Mattel Playback Scheme.
LEGO Sets
Since 2023, Lego has been working towards 100% paper bags inside of their sets. As of November 2025, they confirmed that over half of their packing lines have now moved to paper bags instead of plastic.
Boxes: Recyclable cardboard.
Updated paper bags: recyclable with paper
Old bricks: Lego offer a replay scheme, where they send boxes of donated bricks to schools and charities.
Nintendo Switch 2
Outer box: Recyclable cardboard.
Internal packaging: Recyclable paper inserts; plastic films → soft plastic recycling.
Old consoles: Recycle via WEEE collections.
Ninja Air Frier
- Boxes: Recyclable in cardboard waste
- Internal cardboard Packaging: Recyclable with cardboard
- Plastic bags/film: Soft-plastic recycling bins, found at larger supermarkets
Reduce, Reuse & Rethink This Christmas
Recycling is great, but reducing waste is even better. Here are simple ways to reuse Christmas items and avoid unnecessary waste:
Reuse Chocolate & Sweet Tins
Metal tins or plastic tubs make great storage for craft supplies, biscuits, sewing kits or festive decorations. Strong, reusable and long-lasting. Many people keep a hold of them for the next year, and refil them with tasty treats!
Donate Old Toys
Before buying new Toys, you could donate old ones to charities, nurseries or toy libraries. Many can also be recycled through schemes like Mattel Playback.
Switch to Recyclable Wrapping Paper
Choose plain paper, brown kraft paper or FSC®certified and recyclable gift wrap. Pair with paper tape for fully recyclable wrapping.
Use Reusable Gift Bags
Fabric or strong paper bags can be used year after year, cutting down on single-use paper waste and saving money. Smilarly, inversting in quality gift boxes, envelopes, and bags that can be reused for storage, next year’s presents or posting parcels.
With a few smart swaps and doing your best to switch to sustainable paper, plastic, boxes and wrapping paper, your festive celebrations can be joyful and eco-friendly.
If everyone takes a small step, we can make a big difference helping reduce landfill waste and making Christmas greener for everyone.
If you are interested in Packaging, Springpack are experts in the field. Our team of Packaging Experts have all of the answers to your packaging questions. Why not get in touch with us today?
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Author: Alice Jeavons
Springpack is a UK packaging company delivering sustainable solutions that empower customers. We prioritise exceptional service, building strong relationships and developing innovative packaging solutions tailored to unique needs. Sustainability drives us, from eco-friendly materials to reusable practices minimising waste and emissions. As a family-run business, we’ve grown from humble beginnings to industry forerunners. Our passion lies in making a positive impact in our community and the lives of customers, employees, and stakeholders through outstanding service that exceeds expectations.