...to feel sad that MIL has wrapped presents in glitter paper?

[somehowsunshine]

Can't recycle it. She knows we try really hard to recycle. We are always finding recyclable plastic in her general waste bin. My DH and I will have to bite our tongues on Xmas day as we scrunch the glitter paper into the bin. I know my husband will want to say something but it will make MIL feel bad and make us look ungrateful. I can't stand glitter!

@Shmithecat2

YABU, and a massive hypocrite. Your children are more environmentally damaging to the environment than some glitter paper.

so we can all do whatever the fuck we want with the planet if we don't choose to continue the human race? Now I see why we have a problem.

@Totallydefeated

Is this a reverse?

If not, unclench.

It’s great to be environmentally conscious and do your bit. But taken to this extreme is a level of perfectionism that isn’t psychologically healthy. It’s one day. Glitter paper is pretty and festive and MIL just wants things to be nice. The world won’t end because of it, so lighten up.

As for going through her bins and ‘making a point’, this is insufferably sanctimonious. You won’t have many friends after a while if you live life with this level of preachy earnestness.

Try channelling a bit of joy, fun and spontaneity into life. It’s good for you.

This.

Poor MIL - I bet she pours herself a large one after the Fun Sponge Committee leave.

Anyone else hope MIL is rewriting her will in favour of Friends of the Earth?

Leave her flipping bins alone, BTW.

@CallMeK

Get a grip!!

But true

I think it's too late op. I'd probably say "xxx this looks lovely but it's not recyclable!" Maybe in a more relaxed, jokey way. Then post Christmas tell her for next time.

I think you have to realise those op that like others have said, some people just really don't care or want to prioritise it. You can only control your own actions sadly.

Not helpful.

No, just not what you wanted to hear.

Putting something in a bin that's a certain colour isn't recycling anyway. Re-using things yourself is.

I'd like to know whether MIL is welcome to rifle through the OP's bins and criticise her household arrangements and gift-giving, or whether this only works one-way?

I bet she needs a stiff gin after visiting your sanctimonious family

I think people often forget (or haven't heard) that 'recycle' is the least best option in 'reduce, reuse, recycle' - obviously you can't reduce in this circumstance but can surely reuse - either for wrapping presents or in craft projects?

@somehowsunshine

DH tends to look through the top of his mums bin when we're round, and usually pulls out 5 or 6 plastic items or cans that can be recycled. Mil can't be bothered which really pisses us off! He does it to make a point of how much she must throw into landfill instead of recycling.

Aren’t you utterly mortified to be married to such a nasty little prick? I’d be disgusted and ashamed if my husband was so awful to his mum under the guise of being an eco warrior. Imagine thinking it’s ok to go through someone else’s bins As a PP said I wonder if he would do that to a male relative, I bet not. I’ve met so many people like you and your husband and honestly behaviour like yours makes me cringe. Bullying and shaming people while finding it ‘unhelpful’ for anyone to point out your own far more damaging behaviour. You make a mockery of and give a bad name to people actually trying to be more eco conscious, thereby undermining the whole cause. Try pulling your head out of your arse and treating your MiL with some respect.

Seriously if this is your only issue consider recycling your presents to children who will wake up to nothing and why are you routing through your mother in laws bins ?????? YABVU

Virtually none of the wrapping paper can be recycled where we live.
Neither can pizza boxes, most birthday cards , mc Donald's packaging.
The problem is with the producers who make the non recycling stuff rather than your MIL.
Feeling sad is is ridiculous. If you feel like that upcycle it and use it for something else.

Mil can't be bothered which really pisses us off!
You do you and concentrate on your own efforts.
Stay out of your MILs bin and business. It'll make you a lot happier and less insufferable.

Your husband sounds an insufferable twat

#teammotherinlaw

@Shmithecat2

YABU, and a massive hypocrite. Your children are more environmentally damaging to the environment than some glitter paper.

This, with bells on

Take a chill pill

It's all a bit of a nonsense, the presents themselves are surely much more wasteful of resources than a bit of wrapping paper.

It’s literally none of your business what your MIL does in her own home with her own rubbish. You can reuse the glitter wrapping paper or just use it to gaze on your pious, judgemental face reflected in the sparkly bits.

I have used glittery paper this year. fucking spread glitter all over the carpet, bastarding stuff But this was from a leftover roll I had under the stairs since about 2008 - thought I may as well use it up. It has been made now, the resources used. Leave under the stairs (and buy new paper) or use it. I decided to bite glitter everywhere bullet and use it.

I won't ever buy this shite again. But what else am I to do with it but use it?

Can you not take it off carefully and reuse it? That's what I would do. I got given some gifts for my baby in lovely foil wrapping paper, I reused it to wrap gifts for my niece. That being said there is not much chance her mum will reuse it but that is her choice. You could also use it for arts and crafts of it does get torn.

This can't be real can it? Your husband goes through his mums bin? Like some judgemental raccoon?!
I'd throw someone out if they came round my house and went through my bins. Weirdos

I don't believe it. Literally.

I love the idea of a Judgemental Bin Raccoon.

@legalseagull laughing @ “judgemental raccoon”

@legalseagull

This can't be real can it? Your husband goes through his mums bin? Like some judgemental raccoon?! I'd throw someone out if they came round my house and went through my bins. Weirdos

Judgemental raccoon is probably my favourite thing I've ever read on MN 🤣🤣🤣

OP - get a bloody grip.