Can you recycle wrapping paper?
Recycling bin if it passes the scrunch test; general waste if foil, glitter or plastic-coated
Plain paper gift wrap is recyclable, but foil-based, metallic, glittery or plastic-film wrap is not, and some councils refuse all wrapping paper because of the mix. Use the scrunch test: if it scrunches into a ball and stays scrunched, it is paper and can usually be recycled. Remove sticky tape, ribbons, bows and gift tags first, as these contaminate the paper stream.
Tips
- Do the scrunch test before deciding which bin
- Remove as much sticky tape as you can
- Glitter wrap always goes in general waste
Which bin does it go in?
Recycling bin if it passes the scrunch test; general waste if foil, glitter or plastic-coated Exact rules depend on your council — check its website or look up your postcode below.
Councils can use different containers and accepted-item lists.
Background: The 10 recycling mistakes that ruin lorry-loads.
Also searched as: gift wrap, christmas paper, birthday paper.
✓ Checked against current UK guidance: 14 Jul 2026. Spot an error or an out-of-date rule?