Paper - from a most unusual and environmentally friendly source

Paper - from a most unusual and environmentally friendly source  

(Source: http://the-print-guide.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/paper-from-most-unusual-and.html)

Paper can be made from a variety of materials, but perhaps one of the most unusual and environmentally friendly is paper made from stones.


Stone paper is known by many names including rock paper, limestone paper, eco-stone, and synthetic paper.

How it's made

Stone paper is made with a mixture of about 80% calcium carbonate which is also used in the manufacture of conventional tree-based paper. The calcium carbonate usually comes from limestone, marble and other stones collected as waste material from existing quarries for the building and construction industry. The stones are ground down to a fine chalk-like powder then a small quantity (about 20%) of non-toxic resin (HDPE- High Density Polyethylene) is added as a binder for the calcium carbonate. Together these materials create a soft, smooth, bright white paper that is tough, durable and both water and tear resistant. The paper is chlorine free, acid free, and safe for the environment.
 
The ECO benefit

• One ton of virgin paper uses 20 trees, 36,000 BTU’s of energy, creates 16,000 gallons of contaminated waste water, uses bleach, and contains 20-30% calcium carbonate (stone).
• One ton of recycled paper uses 4 trees, 22,000 BTU’s of energy, creates 9,000 gallons of contaminated waste water, uses bleach, and contains 20-30% calcium carbonate (stone).
• One ton of stone paper uses 0 trees, creates absolutely no waste water, and uses half the energy of virgin paper and 1/3 the energy of recycled paper. Stone paper does not require bleaching chemicals and generates no air pollution.

Stone-based paper is recyclable with both paper and plastic. Since it is stone it is not biodegradable. On exposure to UV light, e.g. from the sun, and moisture, the High Density Polyethylene breaks down after about a year returning the calcium carbonate to a power form. Egg shells are 95% calcium carbonate and decompose in a similar way. The HDPE is also recyclable and has the number "2" as its recycling symbol. Much of household waste is sent to WTE (Waste to Energy) plants where it is incinerated, scrubbed of carbon, and ‘recycled’ into energy.  Even conventional paper waste ends up in WTE plants.  If stone paper ends up at a WTE plant it actually is a great contributor since it burns more cleanly than many other materials and does not produce toxins.

The calcium carbonate itself is the most abundant natural mineral on earth making up 70% of all minerals on the planet.  Mining and quarrying operations already existing in the world scrape away tons of calcium carbonate each year in an effort to get at the ‘more precious’ minerals.  This excess material makes calcium carbonate a great ‘filler’ for papers, plastics, some food products and many household products.

Stone-based papers are:

•  Water Proof

•  Grease Proof

•  Tear Resistant

•  Weather Resistant

•  An alternative to synthetic papers such as Yupo, Tyvek and polypropylene films

•  A great grease barrier

•  A great outdoors product (with the addition of UV blockers)


Some stone-based paper brands include: 
UK: Parax Stone Paper
USA: FiberStone® Natural Stone Paper, Terraskin, and Rockstock. 

Save a Tree. Use Parax Stone Paper
www.parax.co.uk

Parax Stone Paper: the UK 2013 Green Champion

Parax Stone Paper has become the UK 2013 Green “Champion” in the Paper & Packaging category.
Stone Paper competed against more than 500 other nominations and was presented with the highest achievement award of “UK Green champion” at a glittering presentation ceremony in the House of Commons on November 11, 2013.

 

It is of no great surprise since the Stone Paper is made of Calcium Carbonate 80% (chalk) and High Density Polyethylene 20% (HDPE), no water, bleach or acid is used in it and the entire production use 50% less energy and generates 50% less CO2.
This incredible pulp-free alternative paper is white, soft and lux and can easily be converted to stationary, packaging, promotional material, charts and maps to name a few. What makes Parax Stone Paper even more desirable and applicable to all outdoor uses, is the fact that it is waterproof and tear resistant.
The high environmental credential does not stop there, the main raw material (chalk) is byproduct of mining for construction and although in its infancy the technology can be applied to other construction waste material in future.
As a result of this success Parax Stone Paper is invited to have their winning paper published in The Green Book, the leading international work of reference on environmental best practice. Parax Stone Paper is also asked to represent the UK in the European Business Awards for the Environment.
The company is young and active with an ethos of supplying environmentally friendly products that are designed for everyday use. To grow the use of their alternative paper, they offer a wide range of own label services for other stationary, packaging and retail companies.

 

The Green Apple Awards began in 1994 and have become established as the country’s major recognition for environmental endeavor among companies, councils and communities.  The awards are organised by The Green Organisation, an independent, non-political, non-activist, non-profit environment group dedicated to recognizing and promoting environmental best practice.

Judges for the Green Apple Awards are drawn from the Environment Agency, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, the Chartered Institution for Wastes Management and other independent bodies.

Are you taking down a note? Writing a massage on a birthday card? You may be breaking the law!

 

The EU timber regulation that came to force on 3 March 2013, also known as the (Illegal) Timber Regulation counters the trade in illegally harvested timber and timber products through three key obligations. http://ec.europa.eu/environment/forests/timber_regulation.htm

  

In Plain English, it means all paper products use in EU must come from responsibly sourced timber and not illegal logging of the natural/rain forests.

It works likes blood diamonds tracing. Companies buying or trading rough and polished diamonds should take steps – known as due diligence – to find out whether their purchases have funded conflict or human rights abuses at any point in the supply chain.

Now at least in the EU, companies buying or trading paper should take due diligence to make sure the paper comes from legally sourced timber.
What to do now? Luckily the law is not retrospective, which means you can use up that note book and send that Birthday card, but when you buy the next one you must get an FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) paper or better still buy an alternative paper.

 Best example is Parax stone paper. Their notebook are made of stone and contains no wood pulp, legally or illegally logged (www.parax.co.uk).

The notebooks are naturally white and really smooth to write on.

 

Your Bic pen will feel like a Mont Blanc writing on Parax paper and you will not run the remotest chance of breaking the law.

7 Stupid Things People Say About Climate Change That Aren’t At All True

The IPCC says warming is “unequivocal.” No matter what anyone else says, climate change is definitely happening.

Click on the link below to see the full article:
7 Stupid Things People Say About Climate Change That Aren`t At all True : Link

If I were to give you a list of things made out of limestone you’d expect me to say the Great Pyramids, Manhattan Courthouse, paper. Wait, what?

Written by Natasha Kalantar

I’ve not made an epic blunder, Parax Paper have developed a revolutionary script made from 80% Calcium Carbonate CaCO3 and 20% non-toxic HDPE. This innovative alternative to pulp paper is gaining planetary imminence by showing itself to be both ecologically and aesthetically superior.

 Per tonne of Parax paper manufactured, up to 20 fewer trees are cut down compared to the production of ordinary pulp paper. 167lbs of solid waste is not generated ad 6 million BTU’s of energy are not consumed. The entire process of Parax paper production involves no water, meaning there is 50% less CO2 emissions and 50% less energy used.

The ecological brilliance doesn’t stop there, Parax paper degrades naturally under UV light within a year, returning to its natural limestone state and can also be burned to provide waste-to-energy power, releasing no toxins as it’s burned.

The ecological positives do not by any means negatively affect the visual effect of the paper. The brilliant, crisp whiteness of the paper makes it a joy to write on and due to the poreless qualities of the stone, up to 30% less ink is used. The paper is tear resistant, grease proof and waterproof.
A multitude of products are available, from produce for the home and office such as notebooks, notepads, planners, calendars, envelopes and labels to maps, posters, catalogues, brochures, wrapping paper and bags.

Parax Stone Paper is a unique product, from beginning to end. Simply put, Parax Stone Paper is basic yet unparalleled in concept, fabrication and quality.


Save a tree. Use Parax Paper.
 
www.parax.co.uk