Green your gift wrap

Exchanging gifts is a central component of holiday celebration

When you think of gifts, you automatically think of festive wrapping paper. And as nice as it looks, most of us can agree it’s also a big waste of resources. Here are some discouraging facts about that pretty paper that’s produced exclusively for the purpose of being thrown away: 

• Each year, approximately 4.6 million pounds of wrapping paper is produced in the U.S. 
• 2.3 million pounds of wrapping paper ends up in landfills
• Most wrapping paper isn’t recyclable due to coatings and colorants used in its manufacture, and
• Much of it is produced in Asia, necessitating thousands of miles of resource-gobbling and pollution-causing transport.

So, rather than participating in the polluting, tree- and resource-wasting practice of using traditional gift wrap, consider these alternatives:

• Wrap gifts in recyclable or reusable materials, like newsprint or fabric
• Don’t wrap gifts at all
• Use 100% recyclable and compostable wrapping paper, and
• Give non-physical gifts that don’t need wrapping, like experiences or tickets to events.

Did you know that in addition to community investment, Alpine Bank has a green initiative?

• November 9, 2022
• Environment
• Alpine Bank Staff

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Alpine Bank Staff

Alpine Bank is an independent, employee-owned organization with headquarters in Glenwood Springs and banking offices across Colorado’s Western Slope, mountains and Front Range.

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