Selection of materials

• Sustainable paper production


  • The countries that produce the most amount of paper are: Japan, USA and China.
  • Paper production in the UK is also huge; there are huge paper production mills that produce tonnes of paper every year.
  • A paper mill company in Scotland is responsible for Typhoo’s tea tags and have to work hard to ensure they meet the demand.
• Environmental issues


  • Unfortunately, there are environmental issues associated with the manufacturing of paper and the extraction of the raw materials needed to produce paper.
  • For example, a large number of trees must be cut down to make paper.
  • During the process of photosynthesis, trees intake carbon dioxide and produce oxygen.
  • As trees are cut down for the production of paper, less oxygen is released into our atmosphere.
• Paper disposal


  • If the paper is discarded on a landfill then it results in the paper decomposing.
  • This releases methane which is one of the main culprits to global warming effects.
• Recycling paper

  • In recycling, we can use 50-70% less energy to reproduce paper which helps reduce the amount of power we use from production mills.
  • High-quality glossy paper is recycled and then can be used for high-quality recycled paper.
• Recycled toilet paper


  • Recycled toilet paper is made to not only save the environment but to save on costs.
  • Recycled toilet paper costs less to make than a virgin (from scratch) toilet paper, which means that it will also cost less for a customer to buy,
• Board recycling

  • Boards take longer to recycle but are commonly recycled using coloured bins.
  • In Britain, councils are still trying to increase the awareness of recycling to aid the message of recycling.
• Availability

  • Paper and boards are readily available, often found in high street shops, and paper is a common material used by designers.
  • However, specific paper and board sometimes need to be purchased from paper and board specialist shops.
  • UK paper companies have diversified to include as many different paper and cardboard types to maximise profits and customer relations.
• Types of availability

  • Papers come in the form of rolls, sheet and ply form (this is when papers are layered and in a roll e.g. kitchen and toilet rolls).
  • You will often see the toilet roll companies using the term ‘2 ply’, this is relevant as it is a prime example of a paper type being produced as a roll and as layers.
• Cost


  • The cost of paper can vary according to size, weight, and quality.
  • Certain printer brands will demand a higher price as they endorse and use their own paper.
  • In order to save money, designers and printing companies use thinner and cheaper paper to print drafts before the final print out is used on the desired paper.
• Ethical factors


  • It is important the companies make conscious ethical decisions when producing paper.
  • FSC permits companies to use their logo if there has been correct and responsible management of the forests.