...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!

Please stop raking about in your MILs bins. It's really very intrusive and she's probably on tenterhooks when the pair of you appear, ready to make her feel bad. Poor 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

Virtue signalling bullshit.

@TerribleCustomerCervix

I think you both need to take a step back and remember that although recycling is important to you, it’s obviously isn’t to your mil.

It’s not ideal, but it’s certainly not worth souring the pleasure of giving and receiving gifts because you don’t like the wrapping paper.

This. And are you aware that loads of recycling ends up being burnt or in landfill. I really would fall out with your mother in law over a few bits of wrapping paper...

www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/17/plastic-recycling-myth-what-really-happens-your-rubbish

YABU to be prioritising recycling - by the way you aren't 'recycling' you are simply sending stuff off in the hope that there is enough demand for each material for it to be recycled and sold on, of which a very small percentage does - over being kind to your MIL. She is not the villain here. Big business and policy are. Direct your energy elsewhere and stop being so high and mighty.

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.

As someone else wrote about putting things into perspective. I am glad you are not facing the heartache of millions of people this Christmas, as they struggle to have any Christmas at all. I know many, many people hate posts like mine, but how I wish your MIL's choice of wrapping people was the only thing people had to worry about. Why not just let it go this year and glad you can be together, glitter or no glitter?

I wonder how many thousands of miles the device OP used to create this thread travelled to get to her.

@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.

Christ almighty. It’s none of your business what your mother in law does or doesn’t recycle. Some yogurt pots and glitter paper isn’t going to make a blind bit of difference in the grand scheme things. Why don’t you boycott the 100 corporations that create 71% of all global emissions and leave your poor MIL alone.

Oh ffs, stop being so worthy...... In the grand scheme of things it doesn't matter. If you're that bothered go and plant a few trees to make up for the hideous glitter abuse

It’s paper for god sake. I’d be kicking you out if you nosed through my waste bins. Nothing to do with you at all.

@MaryAndGerryLivingInDerry

I wonder how many thousands of miles the device OP used to create this thread travelled to get to her.

Yeah, but pointing that out is 'not helpful'

And I forgot we had Christmas emojis!

Absolutely disgusting, how dare you go through her bins and point things out. You should both be ashamed of yourselves. I don't care how much you care about the environment stop treating this woman like this. If I was her I'd be covering things in glitter and shoving recycling on the top of the bin just to wind you up.

It's not ideal, but for goodness sake - it's one day! Unfortunately you can't make people think the same way you do, and feeling "sad" is simply ridiculous. As pps have said, why can't you re-use it? As for going through her bins - there are no words.

@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.

Wow. That’s out of order.

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

Your dh sounds like a sanctimonious little prick. Does he go through any of his male relatives bins? Male friends bins perhaps? We all know he wouldn’t dare.

In my own experience folk who make a fuss about shit like this are hypocrites. I bet you eat dead animals, guzzle vast quantities of cow breast milk and drive a petrol guzzler.

Mind your own business. You sound utterly ridiculous the pair of you.

Could you open the presents carefully and then use the paper again. I know lots of people that do that with ordinary wrapping paper

Sorry message crossed with FRAN

OP, you've actually just reminded me of this great stand-up routine by the amazing Sean Lock.

Watch from 10:20

I can’t believe someone who buys rolls of new printed normal wrapping paper (involving bleaches, dyes, machines, energy, distribution miles and usually cellophane wrapped) is actually preaching about the environmental impact of glitter paper. Why don’t you use old newspaper/pillowcases/reusable fabric wraps (made from old sheets and charity shop curtains obvs)?

I actually hate glitter, in all forms, because it’s messy and annoying and unnecessary and I’d be happy if it was completely banned… but to spoil Christmas with your mother in law over it is crazy. It’s glittery paper not a glitter bomb.

OP, better not come back with some weird drip fees
"MIL knows I have a glitter phobia caused by seeing too many snowglobes was I was 12".

I wouldn't be surprised if she's used the glitter paper on purpose just to piss you both off, that's what I would do.
I don't know why the two of you think it's okay to rifle through her bins to guilt? Shame? Judge? her, but that's a disgusting way for your husband to treat his mum.