If all paper cannot be made from 100% recycled fiber, what should we use?

Recycling paper was one of the earliest and most important actions individuals and companies took to treat our natural world more gently.But despite great advances in paper recycling, we don’t have enough recycled paper fiber to go around.So, if we cannot make every new product from recycled paper, which products should be made from recycled and which should use sustainably grown new fiber?A new tool is being developed to help answer that question. But first, let’s explain why we need it in the first place.

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If all paper cannot be made from 100% recycled fiber, what should we use?

Timberland walks the extra mile to end plastic waste

The footwear giant cleans up its supply chain by partnering with a startup that promises to add financial value and empower workers in Haiti.

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Timberland walks the extra mile to end plastic waste

Punah Project recycles industrial waste into fashion-forward accessories

It’s not often that manufacturing companies are overly concerned with the environmental impact of their excessive waste , but one of India’s largest manufacturing conglomerates, Godrej & Boyce , is shrewdly turning theirs into a fashion-forward gold mine. Under the initiative Punah Project , the company has created a circular economy by converting their industrial waste into swanky new products like metal shoes and handbags, which were recently on display at Tent London during London Design Festival . It’s estimated that Godrej & Boyce industries generate approximately 18,505 tonnes of waste materials annually, all of which have previously gone straight into landfills and incinerators. This process is not only damaging to the environment, but also a complete misuse of potential materials. Related: Glitter Without Guilt: Ethical Rings Created from Recycled Precious Metals Focusing on “re-thinking the definition of waste and the use of waste materials”, the Punah Project team has created a sustainable manufacturing process that separates waste into six categories of recyclables: oils, metals, wood, chemical, paper, and electronic materials. The potential value of each material is evaluated based on its natural properties and versatility. A variety of new products are then created using as little energy as possible. The results, which were recently on display at the London Design Festival, include fashion-forward items like kicky metal shoes and hand clutches made with leftover metal crimping pieces. Mr. Hemmant Jha, Chief Design Officer, Godrej & Boyce, said the company’s zero-waste process not only works to reduce waste in landfills, but also benefits local economies. He added: “As initiators of The Punah Project, we are focusing on developing alternative applications for non-hazardous industrial waste through material design and research. We aim to adopt a zero-waste policy across all the Godrej & Boyce manufacturing sites. We are happy to have displayed the applications that are a result of our extensive research on over 600 materials and several collaborations with different manufacturing teams at Godrej & Boyce as well as skilled craftsmen and designers across India.” + Punah Project + London Design Festival + Inhabitat coverage of London Design Festival

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Punah Project recycles industrial waste into fashion-forward accessories

13 Cradle to Cradle products for a safe and eco-conscious home

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13 Cradle to Cradle products for a safe and eco-conscious home

NASA’s Cady Coleman on the necessity of circular economy thinking

It might seem far-fetched, but space exploration could provide a window into the future of sustainability on Earth.

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NASA’s Cady Coleman on the necessity of circular economy thinking

K-Cup killers? Hotel suppliers seek better single-serving coffee

The search for sustainable alternatives to hard-to-recycle coffee and tea cartridges.

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K-Cup killers? Hotel suppliers seek better single-serving coffee

Yes, recycling is still good business — if this happens

A recycling crisis is looming, despite innovation from names including Sioneer, Momentum, Durst and Gotham. Here’s the solution.

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Yes, recycling is still good business — if this happens

How companies, cities and individuals can close the loop

Joel Makower, Tim Carey, Ron Gonen and Tom Carpenter talk about the recycling or closed-loop economy.

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How companies, cities and individuals can close the loop

Trash talking Starbucks’ reusable cups

It's time that Starbucks addressed the fatal flaw in its reusable $1 coffee cups.

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Trash talking Starbucks’ reusable cups

Trash talking Starbucks’ reusable cups

It's time that Starbucks addressed the fatal flaw in its reusable $1 coffee cups.

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Trash talking Starbucks’ reusable cups

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