It’s not possible to know the source of all the paper that goes into making recycled paper, so we prefer to use virgin paper that we know for certain came from a sustainably managed forest. The paper industry also relies on virgin fibers to sustain the paper cycle as recycled fibers degrade after several uses.

They’re currently not, but they are designed to last and we are looking for a biodegradable alternative.

Nearly always. Every Papier order with standard delivery comes in plastic-free packaging you can recycle at home. Orders shipped via USPS priority mail arrive in a plastic envelope – we are currently working on switching to a plastic-free solution. Some other carriers in the US request that our boxes and book wraps are placed in their branded poly bag, but this is rare.

Upcycled leather uses cast-offs from other industries that may otherwise go to waste. These leather scraps are combined with a natural latex binding material, then embossed to look and feel like real leather. Vegan leather usually consists of plastic instead of leather scraps, and is often combined with an oil-based material (like polyester) instead of natural materials. While upcycled leathers do have a thin acrylic coating, they still use less plastic than other vegan leathers. We chose to use upcycled leather because it reduces the use of new materials including plastic and is made of mostly natural materials.