...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!

Get a life.

Oh dear @ladygindiva you just don't get it do you?

This is a pathetic argument! That's like saying if you don't give up all meat there's no point giving up chicken, or something similarly stupid.

It depends. Giving up chicken is pointless if you just replace it with another resource guzzling food like beef.
However, if you reduced your meat so you were just having chicken twice a week and veggie the rest then that would be more ecoin theory, there are lots of other factors that come into it

@2bazookas you sound like a lovely person.

YABU for just feeling sad. I'd be devastated.

@ohdofuckoffcovid

Another delightful Mumsnetter.

[quote Tulipomania]@ohdofuckoffcovid

Another delightful Mumsnetter.[/quote]
🍪

[quote Tulipomania]@2bazookas you sound like a lovely person.[/quote]
🍪

Huge eye roll here.
Get a grip.
Are you really SO perfect yourself?
Plenty of important issues to be sad about. Like children who wont even get a present!!!!

Ah this would make me sad too. Can you keep it abs use for craft purposes etc.
My MIL used to buy a loaf of bread, have 2 slices for toast and put the rest in the bin because it "wouldn't be fresh anymore"

@Frannibananni

Just save the paper to wrap her presents in next year. Best way to recycle is to reuse.

Oh this is a good idea

@Tulipomania

Oh dear *@ladygindiva* you just don't get it do you?

🤣

@somehowsunshine

I think I'll try to reuse the paper and save it in my presents bag. That's a good idea.

Oh God, I can see you now, handing someone a present: "Of course you'll be aware that this glitter paper isn't recyclable. We are re-using this paper, because we are so very good. My MIL is terrible, let me tell you how awful she is."

Just do everyone a favour and throw it in the bin and say nothing. Your piety will be really grating to others, including your MIL.

@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 insane.

I think more than the issue of anyone bejng eco it's the way ops gone about it.

It's Not gentle and kind eg.. I need help I lack imagination, Mil does x how can we re cycle it..

Or... How can I gently let Mil know we would rather she didn't use glitter wrap, we know she loves it but it deeply upsets us.

The post is mean, patronising and aggressive.

And when people come down on other people like a ton of bricks over stuff like this... It really does swing the spot light back on themselves.

I would suggest ops life really is eco scrupulous before throwing weight around like this...

That's the problem.

This is a pathetic argument! That's like saying if you don't give up all meat there's no point giving up chicken, or something similarly stupid.
We need children. In the UK particular there is a need! Completely off topic.

The planet doesn't need any more children. Ergo, if you care so much about the planet that you're lecturing other people and going through their bins, it's a teeny little bit hypocritical to have had kids. If you've had kids, and also care about the planet then it's possible to do your bit without going through peoples rubbish.

@somehowsunshine

I think I'll try to reuse the paper and save it in my presents bag. That's a good idea.

Why did this not occur to you in the first place?

[quote ItIsntWhatYouThinkItIs]**@PuzzledObserver* Are you serious? The planet is massively, massively over-populated. It will never, ever die out. Shmithecat2* has a point. If the OP and her nutjob eco terrorist husband were genuine, they would never had reproduced. Having children is far worse for the planet than some harmless glitter. The hypocrisy is palpable.[/quote]
Exactly. Those who have taken offence to my reply are either genuinely hard of thinking or being deliberately obtuse. Difficult to know which one.. 🤨

@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.

Heavens. That's dreadful.

You absolutely are allowed an opinion. However, expect to be called out it when you're criticising other people's environmentally unfriendly choices

'Called out' on having children? Jeezo.

It is possible to have children and care deeply about needless waste.

@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 lot sound awful. Next time give your poor MIL a break and stay at your own home for Christmas.

@SundayTeatime

I think you need to let it go. She probably doesn’t realise. We re-use wrapping paper. We’ve had some on the go for years. It’s a bit of a game - recognise the wrapping paper. We won’t buy any more, though.

Years ago I bought a job lot of gift bags in various sizes and colourways. I told everyone I was using them and to please reuse them too. I didnt write names on and every year I get at least one back that I then use again whenever. I also save any new (new to me)ones that come into the house and reuse when possible. Some have now been seen at 15 or so birthdays and still going strong. The bags are not recyclable in the bin but they are doing well for gifts.

And like a pp if the bag is no longer fit for original purpose it can be used for storing all the other bags, cut down and used as wrapping paper until that's no longer an option, used for those things that need wrapping before going in the bin. I would expect those with children to use in crafts projects too.

I literally wish this was all I had to worry about.

Instead of huffing over the problem, gift a solution.
Gift her some lyrca stretchy dance fabric instead to wrap presents with ribbon or sew some fabric into gift bags/sacks tie MIL can use and re use as her gifts to the family.