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Tag: Sustainability

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

Don’t Throw Away Your Old Christmas Wrapping Paper!

Christmas is a time full of excess, including excess waste – typically an increase of about 30% compared with the rest of the year.[1] Even though many of us will be spending a little more carefully this year, there are things we can do to also reduce waste – and have fun in the process....Read More

8 Clever Christmas Gift Wrapping Ideas

How To Create Maximum Effect With Minimum Environmental Impact Nothing heightens the sense of anticipation on Christmas morning more than beautifully wrapped presents under the tree. But, as we all become more conscious of our environmental responsibilities, you might be wondering if that means you need to compromise on your wrapping paper and start wrapping...Read More

Sustainable Christmas Presents

What should you get your environmentally conscious family member this Christmas? We round up some of our favourite eco-friendly presents. How to Save Our Planet by Mark Maslin Described as a ‘handbook of how we together can save our precious planet’, the latest book by Two Sides Seminar speaker Mark Maslin has gained praise from everyone...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

COP27 – Frustration At The Lack Of Progress

We pick out the positive moments of the recent COP27 climate conference in Egypt and look forward to the COP15 Biodiversity Summit. For many of the world’s environmental campaigners, global organisations, conservationists, NGOs, charities, academics, and press, this year’s COP27 climate conference offered a chance for action, an opportunity for world leaders to gather and...Read More

Pretty Paper: Tips For A More Sustainable Christmas

Having a sustainable Christmas needn’t be a chore and through small changes and research, we can make a conscious decision to be greener in our festive celebrations. Paper and wood products from sustainable sources enable us to enjoy the creativity and magic of Christmas without a guilty conscience and ensure that some of our favourite Christmas traditions can continue and be kind to our planet.

Study Reveals That People Prefer Paper Books Over E-Readers

A new report has confirmed the increasing popularity of physical books over e-readers – especially on holiday where paper is the ideal companion. So how was your holiday? Go anywhere nice? Lots of sun? Hopefully, you have managed to get a summer break and are now dealing with the barrage of questions about your holiday....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

How A Car Was Made Entirely From Paper

When London-based Scottish paper artist Kyla McCallum was commissioned by automotive manufacturer Lexus to create a model car made of paper, she turned to Antalis for advice on suitable materials. The scaled car, complete with a paper city through which it cruises, features in a promotional video created by Lexus in tribute to Takumi craftsmanship....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

World Environment Day 2022

“In the universe are billions of galaxies. In our galaxy, there are billions of planets, but there is only one earth.” “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 2022 aims to celebrate...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

Paper Furniture: The New, Environmentally-Friendly, Design Trend

Over the last couple of years, while we’ve all been spending more time at home, many of us have taken the opportunity to give our living spaces a makeover in an effort to make them more comfortable as well as more practical for homeworking. But what about the furniture we buy – and throw out?...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

International Forest Day

If you go down to the woods today… The International Day of Forests celebrates and raises awareness of all types of forests all over the world. Discover everything they do for us and what we can do for them. International Day of Forests is a day to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of...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

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

Good COP Or Bad COP?

COP26 was a combination of landmark deals and last-minute negotiations. But what was the verdict? On October 31, during the opening ceremony of COP26, the world leaders, politicians, members of Royalty, CEOs, climate experts, negotiators and civil servants assembled in Glasgow’s SEC were shown a film. The four-minute video titled ‘Earth to COP’ was comprised...Read More

The Launch Of Love Paper Latin America

Due to the success of Two Sides Latin America promoting the sustainable use of print, paper and paper-based packaging to consumers, Love Paper Latin America has now officially launched. Two Sides global effort in promoting the sustainable attributes of print, paper and paper-based packaging has helped increase the consumer's awareness that paper is sustainable and...Read More

10 Ways To Use Paper Around The House To Put The Horror In Halloween

Halloween is a fun-filled night of the year with spooky costumes, scary stories, and lots of candy. Getting into the Halloween spirit doesn’t mean you need to buy overpriced costumes and Halloween decorations. You can easily horrify your home to be a Spooktacular place on Halloween night. This list will give you ideas on how...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

FSC Friday

Friday 24 September is FSC Friday. It’s an annual event organised by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) to raise awareness of their work and what we can all do, at work or at home, to support it. This year’s theme ‘Save our forests. Save our climate.’ aims to highlight the FSC’s support for international climate...Read More

How To Become A Recycling Pro At Home

Rising consumerism, an increasing population – it is well-documented that humanity is generating more waste than the planet can handle. Fortunately, as we become more conscious of the need to protect our environment and live sustainably, many of us are also realising that responsibility begins at home. One really easy contribution we can all make...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

Consumers Underestimate The Great Recycling Rate Of Paper. Latest Study Reveals

Consumers are becoming increasingly conscious of their impact on the environment, and the majority of UK consumers believe the recycling rate of paper isn’t very high. This low consumer awareness is worrying when paper is, in fact, one of the most recycled materials in the world with a recycling rate of 74%.[1] A study, conducted...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

How To Picnic With Paper

A snack-packed picnic is a staple of the British summer, but packaging the food safely usually involves plastic. Here’s our guide to the latest paper products for your outdoor food and drink. OK, so you may not be jetting off this summer without a series of expensive tests and four-hour airport queues when you get...Read More

World Environment Day 2021

Celebrated every year on the 5th of June since 1974, World Environment Day is celebrated by governments, businesses and society to address serious environmental issues and presents a global platform for inspiring positive change. This year, the theme of World Environment Day is Ecosystem Restoration. Over the last century, half of the world’s wetlands have...Read More

The Packaging Demand

The production of packaging is a huge global industry, generating over $900 billion in annual revenue worldwide.¹ Despite the economic hardships many of us have faced due to Covid-19, the packaging industry has boomed during the pandemic. In 2020, Amazon reported over $570 billion in increased market capitalisation. This shocking growth highlights how many of us...Read More

A Paper Powering Business: Papershades

Paper is quickly becoming a sustainable alternative in our homes. From paper flowers and cardboard plant pots, we are slowly changing for a more renewable, long lasting and eye-catching material source as part of our home décor. We recently spoke with Rosalind of Papershades, a fast-growing paper lamp shade business owner, who showed us just...Read More

Morrisons Move to a More Sustainable Future with Paper Bags

Morrisons launched a “paper bag only” trial in eight of its stores in January 2021. Having proved popular with many customers, Morrisons are now removing plastic bags from all their UK stores in favour for paper bags. Their Welsh stores will be the first to move to paper carrier bags, before being rolled-out in the...Read More

Cracking Down on Easter Plastic

We look at how supermarkets and retailers are making their Easter packaging more sustainable. Tuck in! By now your Easter egg haul is very likely to be down to single figures. After a long bank holiday weekend of exercise/TV (delete according to honesty) and chocolate, you are now left with a series of elaborate packages...Read More

The Facts On European Forest Growth

As the effects of environmental issues, such as global warming, become more evident each year, we have begun to reconsider our impact on the Earth and change our actions for the better. However, in our efforts to generate a greener world, misinformation can spread and create scepticism on what is and isn’t a sustainable resource....Read More

The Art of Decoupage

Decoupage is a popular craft which uses paper to uniquely decorate a variety of different furnishings. The hobby is becoming trendy with those who want to add a personal touch to their home or want to easily make beautiful handmade gifts. With over five thousand followers on Instagram, using the handle @romantic_art_decoupage_by_olja, Olja showcases and...Read More

5 Tips To Help You Recycle At Home

Whilst cleaning and getting organised can be great ways to brighten your mood and lift your spirits, it can also be beneficial to the environment if done correctly. A report from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), revealed that British households create over 26 million tonnes of waste each year. In the battle...Read More

Living Sustainably with Paper in 2021

After almost an entire year of dealing with the uncertainty brought on by Covid-19, we could all benefit from creating some self-motivating New Year’s Resolutions. However, with the UK now in its third national lockdown, it can be difficult to figure out what resolutions you should make while staying safe at home. Living sustainably with...Read More

Why McDonald’s have chosen paper in a bid for sustainability

Image Credit: McDonalds McDonald’s have stated that from 2021 Happy Meals will come with either a paper-based toy, a soft toy or a paper book. The fast food franchise hopes this effort will save more than 3,000 metric tonnes of plastic in use at its UK business from 2021, which would be its biggest single…

Paper Bags – The Sustainable Choice

The way we shop has changed drastically in the last decade. These changes include what we buy and how we buy it. Online shopping has undoubtedly revolutionised our purchasing habits, however one of the most profound and prominent changes in shopping trends is the consumer’s newfound conscience for being environmentally friendly.

High tech, high footprint

One of the biggest media myths is that digital communications has a small carbon footprint. We examine the true environmental cost of technology.

The sustainable nature of paper

Paper is a unique and versatile product that we use frequently in our everyday lives. It is hard to imagine going a day without encountering at least one paper product – whether it be in the mail delivered to you each morning or the toilet paper in your bathroom. Paper is everywhere.

Coffee cup recycling programmes gather steam

There’s been a lot of work in the area of coffee cup recycling over the past 12 months. We examine the schemes cutting down the 2.5 billion cups sent to landfill every year.

Deliveroo solve the recycling problem for their pizza boxes

After discovering that the majority of people are unaware that pizza boxes tainted with food cannot be recycled, food delivery company Deliveroo came up with a solution.

How much does the public really know about packaging and sustainability?

The range of recycling symbols and confusion over what can and can’t be recycled is contributing to the British public’s concerns about packaging. But with paper and cardboard, there’s no confusion – just basic common sense. When it comes to recycling, there’s little doubt that the British public have a great deal of concern about single-use…

Your daily coffee is turning into a serious environmental problem

With over seven million cups going to landfill every day, having your daily coffee is turning into a serious environmental problem. So what’s the solution?