This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2010, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
It's Christmas morning. There is a fresh layer of powder on the ground, mistletoe hangs by the crackling fireplace, and in the corner the tree snuggles dozens of beautifully wrapped presents.
Over-anxious children dive into the sparkling pile and the wrapping paper, bows and tags begin to fly. The kids do not appreciate the time, effort, and money spent on delicately wrapping each carefully selected gift — they tear off the paper and toss it away.
So, I ask: Why bother with the shining paper in the first place?
Each year, Americans spend thousands of dollars on about 50,000 cubic feet of wrapping paper. And it all ends up in the dump. Most wrapping paper is not recyclable due to high-gloss finish and additives. Most people do not reuse the paper because it is inconvenient and tedious.
Fortunately, many people aren't concerned about how their gifts are wrapped; they just want the goodies inside. For them, old newspaper is a perfectly acceptable wrapping.
If you're worried that black and white newspaper doesn't exactly scream "Christmas!" use the Sunday comics.
Another neat wrapping option is to cover your gifts with old maps (road maps, trail maps, topographical maps), which add a unique and fun touch, while making space in your junk drawer.
Using twine or ribbons (which you can reuse) will allow you to just drop the paper in the recycling bin when it has been torn off.
Save money, save paper, save trees.
Ali Marie Shearman is an undergraduate at the University of Utah majoring in geoscience with an environmental emphasis and lives in Park City.