Almost all of us when asked whether a plastic or a paper bag is more environmentally friendly would surely choose the paper bag. The choice solely on the basis that it is a natural product is biodegradable and is made from a renewable resource. In fact, basing this argument on facts, the paper industry creates some of the most toxic effluents that an industry can create.
Keeping in mind the above said, the most effective alternative is handmade paper. The most important aspect, which makes it an effective alternative, is the fact that it uses cotton rag as its raw material. The cotton rag used in the making of this paper is the waste from large textile mills all over India , which would otherwise be dumped in a landfill.
All the paper we make is bleach-free. We try using colours to the minimum, and whatever colours we use are approved azo-free colours. Which also means that the water pollution is close to nothing.
Since most aspects of the process are hand done, there is a very low usage of energy consumption.
All in all, this is a rural small-scale industry providing employment to people who don't have agriculture as a means of income, making it one of the most viable social alternatives to regular paper. 
|
