At Growingpaper, we think sustainability is very important in all areas. Therefore, here is a list of what we are already doing very well and what we are still working on.
- Our product is not perfect, but it's better - Seedpaper is made from 100% recycled paper. No new trees have to die for it. We leave the production of the paper to the professionals. We don't just buy any seed paper, but look carefully at which producers fit in with us and our values.
- Sustainability profile of our 80 grams seedpaper - The paper is produced by a European manufacturer who works with a workshop for disabled people. The new seed paper is glued together from two layers of recycled paper and seeds. Starch from potatoes is used as the glue. All seeds used are 100% GMO free (certificate available on request).
- Sustainability profile of our 150 grams seedpaper - The paper is produced in India. The manufacturer creates a good working environment, pays a liveable wage, and doesn't discriminate. The growingpaper is made by hand and is 100% cotton waste, without chemicals. All seeds in this paper are 100% GMO free.
- Sustainability profile of our 250 grams seedpaper - Our supplier in South Africa Africa is a social enterprise that collects waste paper from the surrounding area (e.g. schools, etc.) and then shreds it by hand and processes it into a paper pulp. No bleaching agents are used, only water. The seed paper is then scooped by hand and air dried (see video). We offset the CO2 emissions caused by transport with Trees for All (certificate available on request). The seeds come from the EU and are safe for the European region. The phytosanitary certificate is available on request.
- Our seeds are free from genetically modified organisms (GMOs) - The seeds in our paper are 100% GMO-free (certificates available on request).
- We know exactly where our seeds come from - We know exactly where our seeds come from (certificate available on request).
- The earth and our ink "like" each other - We print exclusively with water-based ink that is 100% biodegradable.
- There is actually no waste - We recycle all our offcuts.
- You can already buy many sustainable envelopes from us - Besides the seed paper envelopes, you can also buy our Bio Top 3® envelopes from Papyrus Envelopes as a sustainable envelope option. The paper of the Bio Top envelopes is made without wood content, without the use of brighteners and is FSC certified, which guarantees that the paper comes from sustainably managed forests (see FSC certificate).
- Recyclable Packaging - Our packaging (Packaging 1 & Packaging 2) is made from 70% recycled materials and is 100% recyclable after use.
- Only sustainable envelopes - With our growing paper we only off sustainable envelopes.
- B-Corp Certification - Growingpaper will soon be a certified B-company.
- Official papers for our ink - We are currently looking for an expert who can officially confirm that all components of the ink we use are safe for the environment.
- More food for the bees - We want our bee and butterfly mix to only consist of seeds that are good for bees and butterflies.
- More organic quality in seeds - We want to move more towards organic mixtures. Organic mixtures are produced without pesticides, which is better for bees and butterflies. It is better for the field and the seeds that are produced. It is also a lot healthier for the bees and butterflies that eat from the flowers that grow and bloom from the seeds.