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 adults who celebrate Christmas found 31 per cent will chuck their used wrapping paper in a black sack, and 20 per cent will save it up to use as fuel for bonfire.
A green 33 per cent 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 per cent 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 per cent believe their eco-efforts increase over the festive period.
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.
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“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 behaviours they are guilty of over Christmas, 31 per cent admitted to getting through loads of sticky tape, and 24 per cent felt they generated too many non-recyclable sweet wrappers when raiding the chocolate box.
A ravenous 23 per cent said Christmas was the time of year when they were likely to eat more meat, and 22 per cent felt some eco-guilt about running lots of lights and electrical items to get their home feeling festive.
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The average Brit will wrap 17 presents this Christmas, using three-and-a-half rolls of three-metre wrapping paper in the process.
Though 21 per cent have changed things up in the past, wrapping a gift in newspaper, and 16 per cent 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.
And 32 per cent have had second thoughts about picking up an awkwardly-shaped gift because of the hassle it would cause to wrap.
A confident 21 per cent believe their wrapping skills are second to none, while 48 per cent would rate themselves as average or sub-par paper smiths.
The study, conducted by OnePoll, found 43 per cent would expect to pay more for wrapping paper which is 100 per cent recyclable.
As for discerning whether wrapping paper is recyclable or not, just 39 per cent 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 per cent, who would like to make smarter choices to do their bit for the planet.
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.
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“To celebrate our move and for a bit of festive fun, we’re putting on the first ever Quality Street Christmas Wrapped Up pop-up, where fans can bring an item to be gift wrapped in limited-edition wrapping paper made from the same recyclable paper as our sweets.”
It will be taking place today only (21st December) at 68 Old Compton Street, London, W1D 4UN from 12-7pm.
TOP 10 NON-ECO-FRIENDLY THINGS BRITS 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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