We, as graphic designers, use paper so much and in so many ways from design conception to seeing a product on a shelf that considering options to reduce waste and to use recycled choices is an environmentally conscious choice. There has been a growing interest over the last couple of decades in utilising recycled paper resources rather than virgin paper or paper from old growth forests. Hemp and other plant materials, some as diverse as banana fibre, the water hyacinth weed or the bark of the lokta tree in Nepal, have been marketed as a viable option to cutting down forests of trees that may have taken years to grow.
Not only can designers and companies choose to use recycled paper for general production, in particular literature, but it is also in the areas of packaging that recycled or even hand made fibres can impact on less waste and more commitment to sustaining the ever-depleting resources of our planet. One renowned example is that of the UK company “The Body Shop” where the boxes and wrappings for products are made from plant-based paper product. In fact the company sponsors a paper making operation near Kathmandu in Nepal.
Supporting communities, particularly in the third world, is a way to benefit and revive traditional craft industries and it can directly support not only the local people but also the overall well being of our planet. These products have the benefit of being stiffer and stronger and the natural colours are a clear message to the consumer of their origin as well as having aesthetically appealing visual impact.
References:
Green Design: Design for the Environment. Dorothy Mackenkie.1991. Laurence King publishing.
1 comment:
excellent post, i wish there were many more businesses like the body shop
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