Paper is our raw material-you have no idea how much we handle every day! Attention to waste, for us, is not only an issue of saving money: it is above all an ethical issue. We have already integrated recycled paper into our offerings for many years, and we recommend it to all customers who champion a green philosophy. And not only to them!
Precisely because this is an issue close to our hearts, today we want to tell you about a type of sustainable paper that has long since captured our interest: plantable paper.
Plantable paper: what it is and how it is obtained
Environmentally friendly, biodegradable and… plantable! Plantable paper is made from waste materials to which seeds are added, which, when buried, sprout and give birth to a seedling. Thus, to produce it, no trees are sacrificed, no waste is generated and, most importantly, new life is created.
To understand this better, let us imagine that we enter a workshop that specializes in producing this type of paper and observe the various stages of processing:
- Everything starts with waste paper, that is, fibers obtained from paper or cardboard that has already been previously used.
- The waste paper is soaked in water for about 48 hours. After that it is shredded to a pulp.
- This is collected in containers filled with water to which seeds of various kinds are added, they can be poppy, daisy, lavender… or even carrot, basil, arugula seeds.
- The mixture is passed through the sieve and then pressed, to remove the water and for the fibers to bind forming new paper.
(Please note: this is only one type of process; laboratories may decide to produce it following different steps and thus put their own “trademark” on it.)
What does a sheet of plantable paper look like? For us, it is really fascinating: it has an irregular surface that is rough to the touch, the color is natural, and the texture is embellished with seeds that are visible to the naked eye-some types can also be decorated with small colored petals. But the most interesting aspect is that, being the result of a handmade process, each sheet is a unique piece.
Now let’s move to the home of someone who has received – let’s say – a plantable paper greeting card and wants to see it sprout. Let’s better understand how the planting stage works:
- The paper must be soaked in a bowl full of water for at least one night. After that it is shredded. Ah: the soaking stage is not always required; some types of paper can be placed in the jar as they are.
- The paper is placed in a pot, covered with a thin layer of soil and exposed to light.
- The potting soil, at least for the first few days after planting, must be kept moist.
- After the necessary time has elapsed, the first green leaves peep out.
A new life has begun!
How to use planting paper? Just a few tips…
A company that uses plantable paper is telling us that it is sensitive to environmental issues. So, back to the original question: how to use it? We would be inclined to answer–with common sense! Don’t choose it just to ingratiate yourself with the public, as the risk of contradicting yourself and losing trust is always just around the corner; choose it if you really, in your company, believe in and put into practice a green philosophy.
Invitations, flyers, greeting cards, place cards, envelopes, notebooks, labels. You can do anything with them. If we may have our say, we confess that it seems a less brilliant idea to use plantable paper for business cards. Unless you want to see your contacts turned into compost!
Just a few printing tips: on plantable paper we recommend using inkjet printers, or using letterpress or screen printing. It is best to avoid putting too much pressure on the paper or subjecting the seeds to high temperatures. Of course, it is also good not to cover the entire surface of the sheet with ink as the seeds could be damaged.
Where to buy plantable paper?
As a last thing, since it does not have the same availability as a traditional paper, we want to leave you with just a few references to buy it:
- Seed paper Their seed paper is handmade through a process called “Dutch Stacks”; they use cotton fibers discarded during the industrial process. You can find papers in two weights – 140 and 225 grams – with seeds selected for ease of germination.
- Botanical Paper Works. This is a well-stocked e-shop where you can find all kinds of plantable paper products. Inside you will also come across a video-tutorial explaining how the planting stage works.
- It’s very simple: type ” seed paper”into the search bar and you will get a variety of plantable paper products-from blank sheets to ready-made greeting cards.
We remind you again that in addition to plantable papers, there are also many types of recycled paper, an equally sustainable choice. If you would like advice on the type of recycled paper best suited for your project, we are here waiting to advise you.