Jaymi: Future of Paper

Designers play a large role in most products that are born into this world. As such they have an ethical responsibility to design with materials that are sustainable and ecologically sound. One area is Paper. For example 90% of what Print Designers produce on paper will be thrown away within a year, a relatively short lifespan. Masses of paper are consumed only to end up in landfills. Designers have a responsibility not only to design a product but also to consider its impact a cradle to grave analysis.

We already know about paper alternatives such as recycled paper and paper made from other fibres such as hemp, straw and bamboo, etc. But newer forms of paper and other materials are being developed from synthetic, inorganic materials and the implication is that future materials could be used infinitely without any waste.

The book Cradle to Cradle by William McDonough shows us a glimpse of future materials. The book itself is produced entirely from a plastic material made to look and feel like paper but is tear and waterproof. It is unique in that the material can be melted down and reprinted into new books infinitely. These synthetic materials have major implications for the future promising a perfect cradle-to-cradle life of material with no environmental impact. Until then Designers and Graphic Designers alike have the power to choose papers and materials ethically.

http://www.whoknew.org/issues/index02.html
http://www.mcdonough.com/cradle_to_cradle.htm