...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!

I wasn't trying to be helpful. Just pointing out that glitter paper is trifling in comparison to children, and that you and your dh are in no position to criticise your MIL on her choice of wrapping paper.

Fucking hell. Poor bloody woman.

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.

Could you recycle it by using it to wrap something else?

@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.

This is astonishingly rude.

You’re spot on @Shmithecat2.

@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.

You both sound more insufferably sanctimonious by the second.

If this is actually sincere, it seems like you’re just looking for reasons to be annoyed at her tbh.

Poor woman probably feels she can’t do right for doing wrong.

Surprised she has you around with all the noseying your DH does.

Sad? C’mon! That’s a little much.

Normal wrapping paper can go into the recycling bin.

My council won't take it. Of course if someone uses brown paper or something, yes. But the regular shiny paper, my council says it's not recyclable.

I'm surprised your MIL hasn't had her bin refused yet. Our bin collectors have got very strict about everything being in the right bin, and they will move stuff and check.

Recycle it a different way, use it to make Christmas cards and birthday cards next year? Kids can use it for art project?

My daughters club is using waste and making a sculpture out of them to make a point about the envionment. Her group has decided to collect discarded water bottles and make a bin out of them. Maybe you and your DH could do the same with thr wrapping paper and present to her as a present?

YABU. On many levels

@3luckystars

Could you recycle it by using it to wrap something else?

This is unbelievable. You might be good at recycling (much of it never ends up being recycled btw) but you are downright rude.

@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.

Her rubbish is none of your business. The pair of you sound insufferable.

@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.

Sorry the response about should have been to this!

Your DH is rifling through his mum's bin and casting judgment on what could've been recycled? Come on, Op, you must know this is awful?
It's rude and invasive, and what you're describing here is a grandparent who has wrapped a gift in paper that you deem unacceptable.

My DCs don't receive wrapped gifts from their grandparents - my DM has dementia and lives in a care home. She doesn't realise the existence of her grandchildren, and therefore cannot send gifts. My DMiL does a BACS transfer of £40 into their accounts. My DCs appreciate the money, but it feels clinical.

I realise it's not a race to the bottom, but I'm quite incredulous that you're focusing on the type of wrapping paper.
I'm sorry, but I think you need to put things into perspective here.

Why is that rude? I’m sorry if that offended you.
I just thought she could make the best of the situation and use the wrapping paper again. Sorry again.

Just reuse it! And stop going through other peoples bins! That’s really rude.

I wonder what else your DH noses in...her fridge...her bathroom cupboards to see it's all environmentally friendly...her clothes drawers...

You are joking right? Surely? Complaining about one day of being given sparkling stuff that she's probably craving because you sound so insufferably boring. Do you read/live/breathe? Making a difference to the world/environment doesn't involve depressing the crap out of an optimistically magical effort from a relative; it involves petitioning and changing the suppliers/ big guys approach to plastic. Denying a loving sparkling gesture from someone is not just pointless and cruel, it's flaming lazy. Wake up, and make a difference the hard way.

@ItsDinah

I always reuse paper,glitter or not. I've never scrunched it up and wasted it . Use it for wrapping,covering boxes or books,for cards,decoupage etc etc. When it really comes to the end of its useful life, I use it to wrap noxious or sharp things that are not recyclable and have to go in the general waste. This saves on the wastefulness of having to wash out the wheelie bin.

This.

@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.

Good grief, I’d be furious. The only point I’d be getting would be my plastic bottles up his uptight jacksey.