As sustainability remains a priority, local businesses are doing their part to contribute to a more environmentally-conscious world. Growing Paper is an all-female team making stationery that sprouts into flowers and herbs.
Founder Roxanne Schumann teamed up with her friend Nileta Knoetzen in 2009, starting the business with some second-hand paper-making equipment and a goal.
The two wanted to create a sustainable product that would be both practical and beautiful. As Growing Paper opened the following year, the two began with creating greeting cards and gift tags by using recycled paper.
They embedded the paper with seeds so that once discarded, the paper could be planted and grow into flowers, herbs, or vegetables.
Now, the business has a team of permanent employees creating recycled paper products for various commercial and artistic applications.
Sitting 65km outside of Cape Town in the Swartland region of the Western Cape, Growing Paper sells their products locally and internationally.
Along with the founders’ passion for their innovative products, they also aim to actively create jobs as the business expands.
Also read: Cape Town joins top cities on an “A List” for environmental impact
With secure employment being a priority for the business, Growing Power provides ongoing training and life skills workshops for their employees, and aims to put people in positions suited to their abilities and interests.
Growing Paper has also collaborated with South African artists, with the artists printing their work on recycled seeded paper products. Artists they have teamed up with include Paper Tales, by Monet, Pudding & Pickles and Alexander Maritz.
This is a local business that deserves your support and gives you a chance to be environmentally conscious about what you consume. Buy their 100% recycled and biodegradable products here.
“They say in a world in which you can be anything, you should choose to be kind, and this is what Growing Paper is all about – being kind to the environment, the community and the strong, beautiful people that form a part of it.”
Watch how to plant the seed paper here:
Also read:
Earth Age: sustainability, fashion and function merge into everyday wear
Picture: Growing Paper
