Where do you start when you want to make the world more sustainable? At PAPER & TEA, we have dedicated ourselves to this question and are always looking for ways to conserve resources and thus refine our craft. Our goal is not only to inspire tea lovers, but also to make the planet a little better. It's the big steps like phasing out plastic and switching to organic teas that attract public attention. But behind the scenes, we work with just as much dedication on the small yet subtle details that we believe also make a big difference.
In the summer of 2023, we launched our Sustainability Department - a division that not only focuses on the entire production process and value chain, but also looks for ways to minimize our environmental footprint through more efficient logistics processes, holistic product development and long-term partnerships with like-minded companies. You can only achieve something like this by leaving conventional thinking behind and asking new questions. For example: What do we do with our leftover tea?
From tea waste to tea paper: a sustainable adventure
An important part of our commitment to sustainability at PAPER & TEA, is the thoughtful management of waste to reduce our environmental impact. This means more than just avoiding waste - it's about closing loops and making the best use of resources. No matter how hard we try, inevitably dry leftovers arise at various points in the production process that we cannot sell as tea, for example due to aroma samples or, in rare cases, rejects. The challenge we confront is: how do we bring this valuable raw material back into the cycle?
We found the answer in the idea of collecting all of our leftovers and recycling them in a creative way. This gave rise to the vision of PAPER & TEA tea paper - a product that is not only sustainable, but also aesthetically pleasing. Together with Gmund Papier, we began transforming dry tea waste into high-quality paper containing 10% tea. The result is not only an innovative design product, but also a prime example of sustainable collaboration. Jean-Philippe Aiguier, our Director of Sustainability, explains: “It was an obvious decision for us to choose paper manufacturer Gmund as our partner. When it comes to protecting the environment, Gmund sets standards and develops sustainable solutions with enthusiasm. This means that Gmund not only plays a pioneering role but is also the perfect partner with whom we can achieve our own goals.”
Our partner Gmund Papier
For generations, Gmund has stood for the highest quality in paper production and combines tradition with advanced, environmentally friendly techniques. The focus on energy efficiency, state-of-the-art technology and comprehensive recycling is a perfect match for our vision. The company is committed to careful recycling and already has a strong environmental footprint with a pre-consumer recycling rate of around 20%. We are thrilled to be working with Gmund and producing our PAPER & TEA tea paper at their facility in Tegernsee. It is important to us to anchor as much of our production as possible locally in Europe. Greenfibra Labs, a Gmund spin-off, is researching sustainable packaging solutions and alternative plant fibers - the origin for the development of our new PAPER & TEA tea paper. Sabrina Gassner, Project Manager at Gmund, said: “PAPER & TEA brings inspiration and an authentic commitment to the environment. Together, we are focusing on innovative ideas to protect our planet and offer our customers sustainable real value.”
©Gmund Papier & Greenfibra Labs
Innovation you can touch
The PAPER & TEA tea paper is a true innovation. We do not know of any paper on the market so far that is machine-processed with tea content. Until now, we have not reused leftover tea - we are now transforming it into high-quality design paper and integrating it back into the cycle. This new material combines paper and tea in a unique way, creating a product that is both visually and functionally impressive.
Our PAPER & TEA tea paper will soon be appearing on our business cards and in our stores. Very soon, you’ll be able to discover how this special tea paper has been crafted into a unique PAPER & TEA Advent calendar. Without giving too much away, we’re excited to introduce you to this product, which was developed with sustainability in mind from the very beginning – as part of our holistic approach that considers the entire value chain. Through innovative solutions, we too can have a positive impact on our planet.
