Waitrose to sell rolls of Christmas gift wrap unpackaged this year. Credit: Waitrose & Partners.

UK supermarket Waitrose has announced that it will sell two designs of unwrapped gift paper this Christmas.

The move to offer customers a gift wrap without outer plastic packaging makes Waitrose the first supermarket to do so.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Premium Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

It is part of the retailer’s initiatives to do away with the use of single use plastic that are not easily recyclable.

According to the company, the plastic-free gift wrap option is made in the UK using sustainable Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper. Also, water-based inks are used for printing.

A little extra paper in place of plastic shrink wrap is used for each wrapping paper roll to safeguard the paper.

Waitrose & Partners packaging development manager Nikki Grainge said: “We know customers will be looking to make Christmas just as special this year, but removing unnecessary plastic means they can enjoy gifting without worrying about the environment and rubbish that can’t be recycled after the festivities.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

“We’re constantly working to reduce single-use plastic and we’re on a roll with the removal of shrink wrap on gift wrap and many other products including tinned food and tissues.

“We’re constantly moving closer to phasing out non-recyclable plastic by the end of 2021.”

The two designs are Waitrose Holly and Red Kraft Paper. They are available for a purchase price of £3 per roll.

This year, the company noted that all its Christmas wrap will be completely recyclable.

Waitrose has committed to use at least 30% recycled content in its branded and own-brand plastic packaging by 2021.

In addition, it has pledged to eliminate non-recyclable plastic from all branded and own-brand packaging by next year.