DIY Resources to Turn Shipping Boxes into New Gifts This Holiday
DIY Resources to Turn Shipping Boxes into New Gifts This Holiday
MCLEAN, Va. (November 27, 2020) – As the holiday shopping season kicks off early, online shoppers
wonder what to do with all the e-commerce boxes arriving at their doors. The good news is, these boxes
are actually one of the most recycled forms of packaging in the U.S., with 92% of cardboard boxes recycled
in 2019. Choosing paper-based packaging is a choice for a healthy environment, as boxes can be recycled
and upcycled.
To help consumers along in their choice for the environment, the Paper & Packaging – How Life Unfolds®
campaign developed a suite of creative, DIY ideas that upcycle natural paper and corrugated material into
one-of-a-kind presents.
At the start of the 2020 holiday season, consumers spent 21% more on online shopping compared to the
same time period in 2019, making both upcycling and recycling all the more important this year. These gift
box ideas can help even beginner DIY’ers become upcycling heroes, with designs that are simple, fully
customizable and require minimal supplies.
“COVID-19 has accelerated America’s desire to use e-commerce shopping channels and it will be the most
evident during the upcoming holidays. The good news is that shipping boxes are fully recyclable, and they
can be upcycled into holiday or other DIY projects,” said Mary Anne Hansan, Paper and Packaging Board
president. “Upcycling everyday shipping boxes gives them a new life, even before placing them in the
recycling bin. And, when they are recovered, our industry reuses them to make more boxes and products
we all need.”
Now is the perfect moment to catch consumers’ attention and encourage sustainable habits. According to a
recent report, the overall collection volume from U.S. residential recycling programs is up at least 7% from
last year at this time, thanks in part to the increase of e-commerce shipments –– packaged in corrugated
boxes that are easy for consumers to reuse or recycle.
With this upcycling campaign, Paper & Packaging – How Life Unfolds® inspires creative, eco-friendly gifting,
and helps consumers keep upcycling top of mind during the holidays. Since creating handmade gifts or
reusing supplies on hand may not come naturally to everyone, printable, step-by-step instructions make it
easier than ever. These printables help even the inexperienced crafter look like a pro in the gift-giving
department.
The three DIY holiday gift box ideas include: an advent calendar which incorporates smaller gift boxes for
endless surprises during the season; a custom plant box with cut-outs for small plants or propagations,
perfect for the gardener in your life; and, a stylish, sturdy box designed for safely gifting bottles of wine to
family and friends.
For instructions that show how to assemble all three custom DIY gift boxes, visit How Life Unfolds.
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About:
The Paper and Packaging Board promotes the use of paper products and paper-based packaging by highlighting
the value they bring to our daily lives. More than 40 U.S. manufacturers and importers collectively fund the
national marketing campaign, Paper & Packaging – How Life Unfolds®. www.howlifeunfolds.com
For more information: Joan Sahlgren, Paper and Packaging Board
703-935-5386, jsahlgren@paperandpackaging.org
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