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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

617 replies

somehowsunshine · 23/12/2021 01:06

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!

OP posts:
FallonCarringtonWannabe · 23/12/2021 06:34

@GoodPrincessWenceslas

The argument that children are more environmentally damaging is a ridiculous one. Yes, they may be, but we need them for the survival of our own species.
Not in the numbers we have them, we don't. Multiply children are for our own benefit, not the environments or our survive. We are at crisis point with the population. Having children is absolutely a massive issue.

Yes but if OP re-uses it, it looks like SHE’S chosen glittery wrapping paper!!
Surely op wants to be environmentally friendly, not just virtue signal. So reusing should be more important than what other people thought of her wrapping paper.

Does op have a car? Every fly anywhere? Have multiple email accounts full of mail? Ever eat meat?

As a previous poster said, it is impossible to be totally environmentally friendly in the modern world. People choose different ways. Some people obsess over their way and berate others, like op and her controlling worm of a husband routing through bins while making his mum feel bad.

Iwonder08 · 23/12/2021 06:38

Poor woman, DIL sagging her off for wrapping presents for her family in a wrong sort of paper and her own son is looking through her bins.

TyrannosaurusRegina · 23/12/2021 06:47

@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.
Jeezo, he rakes her bloody bins?? I would be livid if someone did this to me, she could have binned letters etc that she didn't want folk seeing. How bloody rude of him.
VincentIsLost · 23/12/2021 06:47

@somehowsunshine I hope your dc marry someone just like you. Thanks

Jobseeker19 · 23/12/2021 06:49

My suggestion to use old paper or fabric was to highlight the hypocrisy of the OPs post.

Because if she really did care about waste she wouldn't be buying fresh paper every year with the sole purpose of being used once and thrown into the recycling.

Just because something is ♻️ doesn't mean that it is not wasteful. It still uses carbon and other energy sources to pick up the recycling and process it. Then the wrapping paper factories have to make it all over again just for one use.

Why not have an individual Christmas sack for the children that is used every year? That is also an option. Or does something need to be ripped open for the full effect?

BTW I don't do any of the things I have suggested here. But I'm not a hypocrite and wouldn't judge someone for glitter paper.

peaceatlastnot · 23/12/2021 06:51

Omg. You and your DH sound awful. Sounds like you care more about the planet (which is obviously good to care about the planet) than your mil!

itwasntaparty · 23/12/2021 06:51

Op what do use to Sri k you recyclable pore down with. Unless you carefully peel off all that sellotape it's no longer recyclable, same for the people you gift to.

Onatree · 23/12/2021 06:51

This isn’t real is it. Nice try riling people up.

peaceatlastnot · 23/12/2021 06:51

You’re so judgmental, it’s horrible. This makes me sad

peaceatlastnot · 23/12/2021 06:52

Hope it’s not real

Marchitectmummy · 23/12/2021 06:53

You can't and shouldn't control other people, going into bins and dictating paper sorry but that's unhinged. If you really want to be environmental perhaps consider not exchanging gifts at all. Recycling is better than bining but not producing in the first place is best.

Forgothowmuchlhatehomeschoolin · 23/12/2021 06:54

Sorry OP but you and your DH sound like a right pair of fun sponges.

grapewine · 23/12/2021 06:54

@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.
That's unbelievably rude. Get a grip of yourselves!
Forgothowmuchlhatehomeschoolin · 23/12/2021 06:54

@LadyCampanulaTottington

I bet you’re vegan too aren’t you?
That was my first thought!!
Roselilly36 · 23/12/2021 06:55

I thought some glittery paper is recyclable this year I have seen it in stores, you could check with MIL.

lollipoprainbow · 23/12/2021 06:59

@JockTamsonsBairns totally agree my dd's grandparents are either dead or in care homes with dementia so she gets nothing. A bit of sparkly paper would be very much appreciated in this house!!

PaleGreenGhost · 23/12/2021 07:00

Reuse it! I never buy wrapping paper. Some of the stuff in my drawer predates the kids!

hibeat · 23/12/2021 07:01

Reusing is at the heart of recycling innit? Some people have no in laws to share present with this year, they are gone and buried, others have dementia, others are thousands of miles away, it's been years now because of covid. Glitter paper is not exactly high up my list of concern. Hold that old hand that wrapped the paper and bin that wrapping paper concern.

anon12345678901 · 23/12/2021 07:01

@GoodPrincessWenceslas

The argument that children are more environmentally damaging is a ridiculous one. Yes, they may be, but we need them for the survival of our own species.
Well the environment would be better if the human race wasn't here. And tbf we don't need people to have multiple children, each child bringing its own carbon footprint.
Borderterrierpuppy · 23/12/2021 07:02

Keep it and reuse it.

OldTinHat · 23/12/2021 07:02

Reuse the glitter paper? Wrap other presents up in it during the year? Use it for crafts with the kids? No need to get huffy about it!

TheHoptimist · 23/12/2021 07:03

@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.
How rude and inappropriate
RampantIvy · 23/12/2021 07:05

@somehowsunshine

It's so unnecessary though. Normal wrapping paper can go into the recycling bin.
Our council won't take it either.
Terfydactyl · 23/12/2021 07:05

@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.
How utterly patronising. Does he do this to all the neighbours too or solely his mum?
TheHoptimist · 23/12/2021 07:06

Recycling is a long way down the chain. Not consuming is much more effective.