Earth Day 2021 is just around the corner on April 22nd. We want to explore some of the myths around the paper industry and shine some light on the ways that we can all reduce our impact on the environment. Environmental awareness is especially important nowadays as our impact on the environment is only increasing. So let’s look at what we can do, especially when it comes to eco-friendly paper solutions.
Paper gets a pretty bad name when it comes to the environment, and for good reason. But from notepads to packaging, paper is a necessary product for millions of people and activities in our lives, and it’s clear that it isn’t feasible to live without it. So, like so many other products that we need in our daily lives, it’s important to find green alternatives that won’t damage the environment so much. Enter: eco-friendly paper.
Eco-friendly paper refers to paper that comes from recycled or sustainable sources. It usually comes in two forms: recycled paper and FSC certified paper. Let’s look at what this means in a little more depth.
Recycled paper
Recycled paper is manufactured from post-consumer waste - think pre-used notepads and packaging. These ‘waste’ products are repurposed and used to create brand-new paper products. The main advantage for the environment is clear here because this kind of paper doesn’t need fresh trees to produce new products. So using recycled paper takes away the need to mass-produce new paper, which uses up a lot of energy and resources. Making this type of eco-friendly paper dually beneficial.
FSC Certified paper
An FSC certification comes from the Forest Stewardship Council, an international organization that is committed to promoting the responsible management of the planet’s forests. They have a program where they certify certain products if they uphold their standards and environmental and social standards. This is a common certification that you’ll find on many different products, from pencils to paper and notepads.
At Captain Notepad, we use the former, and at least 30% of the paper in our products comes from post-consumer products. Helping us to reduce our impact on the planet with every sale.
But even using sustainable sources for products doesn’t do much to improve paper’s bad reputation. Environmental awareness is extremely important, but some of the things we believe about the paper aren’t completely true. It’s easy to assume that because paper comes from trees that it’s bad for the environment. In reality, there are sustainable ways to source paper. Let’s look at some facts that you might not know or consider about paper and the environment.
Not all paper products come from deforestation
Many people think that all paper is cut down from trees and that this is contributing majorly to deforestation. Whilst this is the case with some manufacturers, it isn’t necessarily true all of the time. A lot of paper is made from the pulp of trees that have been intentionally planted for the purpose of using the pulp for paper. This is actually a good thing for the environment, as pre-existing trees don’t have to be cut down in order to produce paper products!
Trees are a renewable resource
A lot of environmental issues come from the use of the planet’s non-renewable resources, such as fossil fuels. But when it comes to paper, it’s important to remember that trees are a renewable resource, meaning that we can sustainably use them without irreparably damaging the environment. Trees can be intentionally planted with the intention of producing paper from them, leaving existing trees, forests, and ecosystems intact
Environmental awareness at Captain Notepad
As a company where paper is at the center of our operations, we know that we have a responsibility to be mindful of and reduce our impact on the environment. That’s why at Captain Notepad, we are proud to use paper that is made of a minimum of 30% post-consumer paper. This means that at least a third of the paper in each of our products consists of recycled paper. Allowing us to do our part in supporting environmental efforts to reduce the impact of paper production on the environment.
Help your audience get greener with our custom-printed seed packets
Speaking of doing our part for the planet, although our main product offering consists of custom notepads, calendars, and more, we also have a range of custom-printed seed packets that make awesome promotional materials that encourage everyone to get a little greener!
They’re a unique and fun promotional product that will last a lifetime too (if you take care of them properly of course) and can be customized with your company or organization’s logo, brand name, and colors. Have a look at our selection here and get some springtime inspiration!
