Join the Paper Chain

Author: Laura Clarke

FSC Encourage Consumers To Take The FSC Christmas Card Pledge

Forests are an extremely important part of the environment. Well-managed sustainable forests give multiple benefits to society, such as livelihoods, ecosystem services and biodiversity, while helping to tackle climate change. To ensure the long-term health of European forests, sustainable forest management underpins how the paper industry operates and sources its main raw material. A number...Read More

Nikki Panganiban Deschamp – Artist Interview

“I want to combine lots of paper styles to show to the world what paper can do.” Our artist of the month is Nikki Panganiban Deschamp. Primarily specialising in paper art through the medium of edge quilling, origami, paper craft, paper cut and miniature paper art, Nikki really has done it all! Read on for...Read More

International Artists Day 2023

International Artist Day is a day designed to honour and celebrate the incredible talents of artists from around the world and their creative processes. Here are three artists that we have interviewed and who you can read more about in their respective blog articles: The Art Of Quilling - Sena Runa Sena Runa, a talented...Read More

New Paper Poppies Available This Remembrance Day!

Starting in October 2023, you can get your hands on the NEW 100% recyclable, Paper Poppies! These new poppies have been created using a mix of fibres from responsible sources. This means you can put the poppy in your home recycling bin once you are finished with it. Removing Single-Use Plastic Over the last three...Read More

Robinsons Unveils Super Strength Squash In Innovative Plant-Based Carton

Robinsons, the renowned beverage brand known for its commitment to quality and innovation, has introduced an exciting addition to its product lineup: Super Strength Squash, now available in a revolutionary plant-based carton. This latest trial of super-strength squash demonstrates Robinsons' dedication to sustainability while delivering a powerful burst of flavour. With an increasing global focus...Read More

The Future Of Festivals: Sustainable Paper Products Are Taking Centre Stage

It’s festival season! As thousands of people head out on long weekends of music, dancing and mosh-pits, this year’s headliner is sustainability. You might be curious about how sustainable large-scale events like this can be. Research body, Think Tank estimates that each year, there are around 23,500 tonnes of waste from festivals alone. Sustainability has...Read More

Travel Journalling: A Paper Passport to Your Past Adventures

Holidays are a great way to escape the everyday grind and create memories that will last a lifetime. But how can you make sure that your holiday memories stand the test of time? A travel journal is a great way to document your holidays, from both the big and the small moments. You can write...Read More

Books Offer Best Form Of Escapism

A survey by the Publishers Association found reading to be more popular than going to the cinema or browsing social media, coming second only to watching TV. It has been revealed that more people plan to escape into books than go to the cinema this summer. This has been due to a new polling survey...Read More

5 Ways You Can Spread Kindness Using Paper

This month marks World Kindness Day, set up by the The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation to raise awareness and drive conversations relating to mental health and wellbeing. To support your mental well-being, we have come up with 5 ways you can switch off, connect with friends and family, or learn a new hobby, using...Read More

Artist Interview With Mel Cowley

It is approaching wedding and party season. Instead of paying above and beyond for flowers that will last up to a month, why not consider paper flowers that will last a lifetime? Mel Cowley aka, The Little Paper Flower Shop, has created a beautiful array of paper flower bouquets for any occasion. She creates paper...Read More

World Environment Day 2023

"This World Environment Day join us in the global effort to #BeatPlasticPollution" “Only one Earth” was the slogan for the 1972 Stockholm Conference. Though 50 years have passed, this message still holds relevance and importance. The #OnlyOneEarth campaign for World Environment Day 2023 aims to celebrate the planet through collective environmental action. The objective is...Read More

Invest In Our Planet – Earth Day 2023

Earth Day 2023 is a global call to action for governments, businesses, and people to protect the environment to ensure we can all work with nature to enjoy a sustainable future. Promoted as the ‘World’s Largest Environmental Movement,’ Earth Day is an annual global campaign that aims to gather support for the protection of the...Read More

What Tree Are You? Celtic Astrology

You have probably heard of Star Signs and Astrology, but have you heard of Celtic Tree Astrology? Find out what tree you are and what that means to you, below! What Is Celtic Astrology Celtic Tree Astrology originates from the beliefs of the ancient Druids. Druids were Celtic priests who believed that forests were of...Read More

Paper Party – Easter Edition

Are you planning a get-together this Easter? Why not have it on theme, from printable decorations to party games, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Printable Egg Hunt An Easter egg hunt is a great activity for all ages and can include chocolate and/or paper Easter eggs. If you choose to print them, you...Read More

International Day of Forests 2023

The UN International Day of Forests is an annual celebration of the biodiversity, health benefits and valuable climate role of these priceless ecosystems. Discover the powerful link between forests and world health. This year, the UN International Day of Forests will be celebrated on March 21. Established in 2012, the day raises awareness of the...Read More

Comic Relief 2023 – Paper Red Nose Revolution

This year’s latest paper invention is taking the nation by storm. The new red noses have been revealed with the aim of helping to fundraise for this year’s Red Nose Day. Comic Relief turned to a paper-based solution in 2023 designed by Sir Jony Ive at LoveFrom, a design guru who worked for Apple for...Read More

Library Initiatives Around The World

Have you ever spotted a little swap and shop library on a walk? From mobile libraries to books hidden in giant mushrooms, we’ve found some great reading initiatives from around the world. The Mobile Library, Stockholm Since 2016, the mobile library in Stockholm City has been popping up all over the city to meet people...Read More

5 Creative Ways To Use Paper This Valentine’s Day

How do you usually celebrate Valentine’s Day? Whether it is a movie night, a party with friends or a romantic evening spent with your significant other, we have 5 paper-based crafts that you can use to impress this Valentine’s Day. Make Your Own Valentine’s Day Card February 14th is always a special day where you...Read More

6 Surprising Benefits Of Jigsaw Puzzles

Puzzles aren’t just a hobby or a good way to pass time and relax, they also have many health benefits. Here are 6 surprising advantages of jigsaws and instructions for how to make your own puzzle! 1. Mental Stimulation Putting the pieces of a puzzle together is a complete brain exercise that uses both sides...Read More

Plogging: The New Sustainable Fitness Craze?

Are you a fitness fanatic? Are you also trying to be more sustainable? This may be a new hobby for you! What Is Plogging? Plogging is a global movement that originated in Sweden, and anyone can join. It is a term that was invented by Erik Ahlstöm that refers to ‘the act of picking up...Read More

Gift Wrapping – The Highstreet Initiative

Did you know, not all wrapping paper we buy from the shops can be recycled? FatFace, along with some other big highstreet names, have come up with an initiative that will save you time, effort, and money this Christmas. Picture the scene. You’ve walked into your local highstreet retailer and picked up that perfect gift...Read More

5 Health Benefits Of Forests

When was the last time you went down to the woods? Forests are a fundamental part of our lives and vital to the health of the planet, so why aren’t we taking more time to be mindful of what is on our doorstep? It isn’t just the planet that is kept healthy and thriving by...Read More

6 Paper Crafts Designed To Boost Your Mental Health

Do you look after your mental health? Making time to look after yourself, both mentally and physically, is more important than ever at the moment. Having lived through a pandemic and the aftermath of several lockdowns, it is important that there are coping mechanisms or outlets available for when things get a bit tricky or...Read More

University Starter Pack – The Paper Edition

It’s that time of year again. Bags are being packed, timetables decided, and courses have been chosen. To help you sift through the chaos, here are 7 essential paper-based tips and tricks to help see you through your first year. 1. Lists It’s not all about partying, studying, and meeting new people. University means that...Read More

ALDI’s Summer Reading Initiative

Supermarket giant, ALDI, launched a campaign to get British children reading during their summer break. To do this, Aldi are giving away over 100,000 books, published by Macmillan Children’s Books, to children. The charity ‘Magic Breakfast', which provides free breakfasts to school children in disadvantaged areas, will support the distribution of books countrywide. The Facts...Read More

The Plantable Papers Of Japan

What do you do with your newspaper once you’ve finished reading it? A Japanese publisher of 'The Mainichi Shimbusha' newspaper, has devised a ‘green’ newspaper initiative meaning that people can plant the paper wherever it ends up. Why Was It Invented? If you have been to a city centre in the last few months you have...Read More

Sustainable Forest Management & Certification Schemes

Forests are an extremely important part of the environment. Well-managed sustainable forests provide multiple benefits to society, such as green jobs affecting livelihoods, ecosystem services and biodiversity, and helping to tackle climate change. To ensure the long-term health of European forests, sustainable forest management highlights how the paper industry operates and sources its main raw...Read More

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – The Gardening Edition

The age-old saying, “Waste not, want not.” carries more weight than ever before. Many nations and companies are pledging to reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfills each year, meaning that recycling rates are going up in the right direction. 74% of paper and 83% of paper packaging is recycled into new products...Read More

Earth Day 2022

With the theme of ‘Invest in our planet’, this year’s Earth Day falls on April 22. We look at its purpose and some of the events and activities happening around the world. What will you be doing on Friday 22 April? If you follow the environmental news, chances are you will know that April 22...Read More

The Art of Quilling – Q&A With Sena Runa

“Paper has many variations such as different colours, types, thickness, and weight.” Have you heard of quilling? This paper-based craft consists of carefully rolled and shaped strips of paper that are constructed on a flat surface and glued in place to resemble patterns or objects. The art of quilling has been around for hundreds of...Read More

LEGO – Building Bricks Towards Sustainability

Lego is building bricks towards sustainability with their initiative to change all internal packaging within their sets from plastic to paper. Following Lego’s 2021 financial results, their Ambassador Network has issued a brief update on LEGO’s transition away from single-use plastic in its packaging. In their statement, it was revealed that from March 2022, people...Read More

Morrisons Milk to Swap Plastic for Cartons

Supermarket giant Morrisons is making an innovative move to switch all its branded milk from plastic bottles to paper-based cartons. With sustainability at the forefront of everyone’s minds, larger companies are doing their bit in the bid towards a greener, more sustainable future. www.printweek.com A First For Supermarkets From mid-February, nine types of Morrisons fresh...Read More

Popular Book Genres Around The World

Books have been teaching and inspiring people for hundreds of years, so World Book Day is more than a well-deserved celebration. To honour the day, ‘Study in Switzerland' has done some in-depth research into the most popular book genres worldwide. In the world of literature, there are many different types of books. Diverse genres cater...Read More

Postage Stamp Inspired Sustainable Packaging

The demand for sustainability has never been more prominent than it is currently. Sustainable clothing, furniture, and packaging are everywhere and are encouraging designers to think creatively and show initiative to do their bit for the planet. The Stamp Egg packaging is most notable as it can be detached and is made up entirely of...Read More

Mario Kart Cardboard Hovercraft

Are you a fan of the Nintendo franchise? If so, you’re probably a fan of the video game series Mario Kart. Like with everything though, there are regular fans and super fans. YouTuber DanCreator has proven his superfan status with his latest creations; the Mario Kart Hovercraft and arcade cabinet. Many people have tried to...Read More

The Beijing Winter Olympics Are Going For Gold in Sustainability

With the summer Olympics in Tokyo being such a sustainable success, it is only fair that the winter games put them to the challenge of being the most environmentally conscious sporting event of the last ten years. Matching the Tokyo Olympics, three weeks before the games are set to begin, a Pre-Game Sustainability Report has...Read More

5 Artists Who Fold Paper For A Living

Have you ever tried your hand at Origami? The ancient Japanese art of paper folding has become an ever-increasing popular activity for people of all ages. Translated, the word ‘Origami’, means ‘to fold paper’ in Japanese. Its complexity ranges anywhere from a simple paper plane to complex 3D structures such as creatures and flowers. These...Read More

Recycled Christmas Trees Helping To Reduce Flooding

If you have a real fern tree at Christmas, what do you do with it after it’s served its festive use and is looking a bit worse for wear? A Christmas tree recycling company has found a great way of aiding in the reduction of flooding in local areas. Based in Todmorden,  Sara Tomkins and...Read More

The Return Of The Handwritten Letter

When was the last time you wrote or received a handwritten letter? It seems that in our tech-dominated world that many people are wanting to change how we communicate and are going about it in a more traditional way. Thus, the handwritten letter is making a comeback. Over the last year, Hobbycraft has seen a...Read More

5 Ways To Repurpose Your Used Paper Cups

How often do you find yourself grabbing a quick coffee to go for your morning commute, or even whilst out shopping as a treat? After you have consumed your beverage though, what do you do with the cup? In the UK we use 7 million disposable coffee cups every day and less than 1% of...Read More

Paper Packaging Goes Travelling ‘Dan Dan Style’

Paper packaging is typically used for protecting goods whilst in transit or storage and for holding various objects and materials. Polar architect Yusuke Murakami has been exploring the unlimited potentials that paper and cardboard have to offer. Picture the scene; you’re walking through a forest and come across a clearing in the trees. Something catches...Read More

Sun, Sport And Sustainability – Tokyo 2020 Olympics Has It All!

Summer is here, and with the heat and sun comes sport, lots of it. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games have officially begun. Hosted in Japan this year, the country is well known for its innovative and creatively ingenious ways of working with technology, but what about sustainability? It would seem that they have taken a...Read More

Well Managed Forests Bring Multiple Benefits to Society

A well-managed forest can have multiple benefits for society. These benefits can include ecosystem services, biodiversity and livelihoods. European forests, from where the region’s paper mills source over 90% of their wood fibre, have been growing by an area equivalent to 1,500 football pitches every day. Over 60% of this area is certified to FSC®...Read More

Summer School Comic Book Initiative Launched To Help Children Catch Up

The National Literacy Trust and sustainable paper brand REY® have announced the delivery of 10,000 free literacy resource packs to Year 6 and Year 7 students across the UK. This forms part of the National Literacy Trust’s summer offer to support pupils as they transition from primary to secondary school. The REY activity packs are…

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