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Average person uses about half a mile of wrapping paper in their lifetime

Only 33 percent said they reuse their wrapping paper.

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Image of smiling girl opening Christmas presents
(Ground Picture via Shutterstock)

By Grant Bailey, 72Point via SWNS

The average person uses just under half a mile of wrapping paper in a lifetime, only to throw it away - or burn it on the fire.

A poll of 2,000 UK adults, who celebrate Christmas, found 31 percent will chuck their used wrapping paper in the trash, and 20 percent will save it up to use as fuel for bonfires.

A green 33 percent reuse their wrapping paper, but in order to get a second chance under the tree, the wrapping must be rip-free and tape-free, and clear of any crinkles or folds.

And only 44 percent regularly consider whether the wrapping paper they are purchasing is recyclable.

It also emerged half of those polled are trying to be more sustainable this Christmas, and 25 percent believe their eco-efforts increase over the festive period.

via GIPHY

A spokesperson for Quality Street, which commissioned the research after switching its plastic wrappers to paper, said: “Wrapping gifts is such a big part of the run-up to Christmas.

“It helps you get into the festive spirit and makes you excited to watch your loved ones unwrap their presents on the big day.

“The research revealed the sheer amount of wrapping paper many people use in their lifetime, and that a lot of it can go to waste.”

When asked to consider some of the non-eco-friendly behaviors they are guilty of over Christmas, 31 percent admitted to getting through loads of sticky tape, and 24 percent felt they generated too many non-recyclable sweet wrappers when raiding the chocolate box.

via GIPHY

A ravenous 23 percent said Christmas was the time of year when they were likely to eat more meat, and 22 percent felt some eco-guilt about running lots of lights and electrical items to get their home feeling festive.

The average Brit will wrap 17 presents this Christmas, using three-and-a-half rolls of three-meter (9.84 feet) wrapping paper in the process.

Though 21 percent have changed things up in the past, wrapping a gift in newspaper, and 16 percent have taken magazine cuttings to cover a gift for a loved one.

Of the toughest wrapping challenges likely to be tackled by festive adults this Christmas, a bicycle was viewed as the most difficult item to conceal, followed by a drumkit and a house plant.

via GIPHY

And 32 percent have had second thoughts about picking up an awkwardly-shaped gift because of the hassle it would cause to wrap.

A confident 21 percent believe their wrapping skills are second to none, while 48 percent would rate themselves as average or sub-par paper smiths.

The study, conducted by OnePoll, found 43 percent would expect to pay more for wrapping paper that is 100 percent recyclable.

As for discerning whether wrapping paper is recyclable or not, just 39 percent know to do ‘the scrunch test,' where recyclable paper will stay scrunched in a ball and non-recyclable will not.

But sustainability is top of mind for 67 percent, who would like to make smarter choices to do their bit for the planet.

via GIPHY

The Quality Street spokesperson added: “We’re proud to have a long-running association with Christmas and, with our move to paper packaging, it will soon be as easy to recycle our wrappers as it is to enjoy the delicious sweets inside."

TOP 10 NON-ECO-FRIENDLY THINGS WE DO AT CHRISTMAS

1. Use loads of sticky tape
2. Throw away loads of non-recyclable sweet wrappers
3. Use non-recyclable wrapping paper
4. Eat more meat
5. Run lots of lights and electrical items
6. Leave the TV running when nobody’s watching it
7. Throw recyclable sweet wrappers in the bin instead of the recycling
8. Throw things in the bin that could probably be recycled
9. Throw away batteries that could be recycled
10. Throw away more food than normal

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