Recycled Paper Making Process

Speaking of symbiosis, It's been at the forefront of our minds to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Our relationship with waste needs rejuvenation. Our packaging materials absolutely needs a strong looking into for innovations as well. While assessing my own waste materials, it struck me that I could start small. Looking at the quality of many paper products wasted fro packaging gave me an idea.. I'll make paper! And eventually design packaging. Then I'll implement a recycle based branding strategy for Citrine Tangerine.

Last month I started making recycled paper with materials in my life that would other wise go into the trash or I'd throw it in the recycle bin. Truth is, I have NO idea if the items I place in the recycle bin actually see another life besides just being thrown away, any way. It's kind of tragic but It is a lie that I no longer wish to tell myself. The waste created from packaging  products is absolutely reckless and It is my ambition to turn more of these wasteful items into useful things. The beginning of this process is recycled paper. 

There is an incredibly alive community of artisanal paper makers globally. When I searched for resources to guide me in this process, a blog called Paper Slurry popped up immediately. This site literally gives all the information anyone could possibly desire on the journey to make paper. I am so grateful for creative hubs like this one because it helped a TON! All questions answered, shops and makers found, all in one lovely place. THANK YOU PAPER SLURRY!

The first deckle and mould used to make paper is from Arnold Grummer. My goal was to make sets of cards to screen print with new and old designs. The process is quite simple to make a sheet or two but making a set proved to be quite tedious! I am still ironing out kinks as far and the drying process and it does take up quite a bit of space to dry / store wet sheets of paper. I admire making recycled paper as a whole. It's awakened my spirit for screen printing as well as working with my hands. There is something meditative about a repetitive, multi step process. It's addicting. 

The first sets of cards turned out great and it was a total surprise to have already sold out of those packs! Thank you! I appreciate the support. Recently two new sets of cards were added to CitrineTangerine.com in the Paper Parlor. A set of 10, 5.5 in. x 8.5 in. sheets have been added as well. The cards currently are being sold without envelopes but that is the next addition to the paper making production process. Just need to sell a few items for the envelope template. <3 

​Moving forward, Citrine Tangerine will be recycling paper and fiber materials to make most, if not all, of our packaging. Already we are reusing boxes, wrapping with tissues/bubble wrap from other packages, and creating new insert cards for our future purchases. It is our honor to breathe new life into materials that will otherwise be wasted. The burden is ours to solve. With time, love, patience. and ingenuity, we can create a more sustainable business practice for packaging that can be accepted by all!! More businesses need to hold themselves accountable for the waste their business creates. If you ever get a package from Citrine Tangerine, KNOW that as much as possible the materials are reused to better serve our glorious planet.