The Chinese Secret
Paper, invented by the Chinese from hemp around 100 BCE, has evolved from a simple packaging material to the advanced, moisture-resistant materials in use today. The papermaking process was a closely guarded secret that the Chinese kept to themselves until the sixth century, when the concept was transferred to Japan by a Buddhist monk named Dam Jing. The Japanese quickly mastered this technique and began producing the valuable commodity using pulp from mulberry bark. Before paper became a staple in daily life, people utilized papyrus as a writing surface.
Paper and Forests
An interesting fact is that one-third of the USA’s territory is forested, a result of using paper sourced from renewable resources. Precisely 93.6% of corrugated cardboard packaging in the United States is recovered for recycling.
Vanishing Packaging
The packaging industry offers surprising innovations such as microwaveable paper containers and magical juice packaging made solely of agar-agar and water, which disappear as the contents are consumed.
The Luxurious Aura of Paper
Paper packaging can lend a sophisticated air to any product. In a study, 63% of Americans felt that paper packaging made a product seem more luxurious.
The Legend of the E-invoice…
Is the transition to paperless forms such as invoices meant to serve the idea of ‘being eco’? Do not be swayed by such slogans—they are often not backed by facts! In North America, 120 businesses—including many from the Fortune 500 list—have clarified or withdrawn such claims. Electronic infrastructures also have their environmental footprint. In the United States in 2016, only about 22% of electronic waste generated in the country was collected, compared to the paper recovery rate, which was 67% in 2018 and increased to 68% in 2021.
