Pupils at Ripon Grammar School praised as 'entrepreneurial and inspirational' after launching new business
Ripon students have been inspired to help tackle the hidden problem of wrapping paper which is estimated to produce 108 million rolls of waste each festive season.
The enterprising youngsters from Ripon Grammar School students launched a creative new business producing reusable fabric wrapping.
The project has not only inspired greener habits in the school’s student community but also provided the team with hands-on business experience, from product design and marketing to sales and customer engagement.
Project leader Sarah Jayan, who heads up the school’s Young Enterprise team, said wasted wrapping paper was a much bigger environmental issue than people realised.
“The wrapping industry creates so much paper waste,” she said.
"Not only is it costly, but all that rubbish is so bad for the planet.
“Wrap which is decorated with glitter or made of foil can’t go in the recycling bin at all.”
Inspired by the traditional Japanese art of furoshiki – a practice that uses cloth to wrap and transport goods – Ripon Grammar School students started to transform old fabric into stylish reusable gift wraps.
Each piece of wrapping is hand crafted from upcycled textiles sourced from charity shops and donations.
The students carefully clean, cut and decorate the fabrics, blending traditional Japanese patterns with contemporary designs.
The result is a vibrant range of wraps that can be tied and re-tied around gifts of all shapes and sizes.
Project leader Sarah Jayan explained how she and her team, called Under Wraps, came up with the idea.
“We want to create something beautiful that people would want to use again and again, without throwing it away after one use.
“So, we decided to turn repurposed fabric into Intricate reusable wrapping paper, taking inspiration from the Japanese style of furoshiki wrapping.”
Wraps cost £4 each, with designs catering for different seasons and events.
The team at Ripon Grammar School also offers a personal wrapping service for an additional charge.
Instagram : @underwrapseco
TikTok: @underwrapps
Young Enterprise is a UK-based charity which helps young people build the skills to thrive in business through hands-on enterprise education
More information at: https://www.ripongrammar.co.uk/