Plantable seeded paper origins - Lokta, vegetable, cotton, recycled

01227 730242

The English Cottage
Garden Nursery Ltd.
Kent. UK. Tel. 01227 730242

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SOME INFORMATION ON THE PAPER WE SUPPLY AND USE FOR OUR PRODUCTS

We Have tried to be as ethical as possible in the paper we use and supply and believe that we have found suppliers who treat their employees with respect and pay them a good wage.

Seeded Paper with Petals :-

This paper is made in the United States from a natural cotton fibre so is tree-free and has a luxuriant feel. The manufacturer makes every effort to conserve water and resources in making the paper. No chemicals or other agents are added to ensure that the process is as environmentally friendly as possible.

Seeded Small Flower and Heart Shapes/Confetti :-

These are made by a company in Canada. They collect post-consumer waste from businesses and schools in their local area, and use this waste as the basis for their paper. Through this collection, they save the local landfill 10 tons of paper per year. Their manufacturing waste is reused.

Seeded Forget-Me-Not and Dianthus Flower Shapes :-

These are made in the UK from natural starch sheets, fabrics and films. The company recycles its waste on site. They re-use grey water on their plant test beds and produce organic fertiliser from their flock of ducks!

Vegetable Papers with Leaf Imprints :-

Made from vegetable fibres. They are free from toxic substances and manufacture does not require the felling of trees.

The paper products is created and manufactured in the South of India, by an enterprise (lead by a passionate Italian and French woman) which employs more than 60 workers, mostly women, who come from neighbouring villages. They are given training and made sensitive to ecological concerns and a greater appreciation of nature's beauty. Creative capacities are encouraged in an atmosphere of constant learning and striving for perfection.

The local community participates in the management of their enterprise and the salary of the workers is above minimum wage. The work environment is very good and three years ago the enterprise built a brand new crèche for the children of the workers. The conditions of where these people work in are of a high standard. The local villagers involved learn everyday and can in this way provide for their own income and they are motivated to become independent. Some local women began their own little enterprises after being taught.

The profits being made are being used to develop the community and the enterprise, in this way more local villagers can learn, work and develop themselves.

Lokta Paper :-

The paper we use is imported by a UK company, and is totally treeless paper. This unique paper is made in the Himalayas in Nepal. Completely free from any chemical treatments. There is no bleach or chlorine used in the making of this paper - making it totally natural. The soil in which the plants are grown is 100% organic. The Lokta plant from which this tree-less paper is made is only found at an altitude of 6,500 to 10,000 feet in the Himalayas, and the plant bark only is used ensuring that the plant continues to grow - therefore making it completely sustainable . The paper itself is made n rural mountainous villages in Nepal, using no electricity. It then travels for 5 days by donkey to reach the nearest passable road until it reaches Katmandu where it is made into the paper sheets and envelopes we use.

The importer is registered as a fair trade importer and supports the Esther Benjamin Trust which is a charity that rescues Nepalese children who have been trafficked or displaced into India - including many who were sold into Indian circuses and forced to work as performers.

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