By Stella Solitana

Paper is basically described as a thin piece of material used for various purposes, though we usually use it as a tool for writing upon or for packaging. How are they made? Well, it’s just simple and systematic. Damp fibers are pressed together and then dried in order to form flexible sheets.

Paper is very important to us human beings. Imagine the world without it, isn’t it terrible? Therefore, we have to use it appropriately while making sure that it doesn’t affect nature’s balance. So how can we do this? Organic paper is the solution to that problem.

We must remember that paper production may bring about pollution, specifically paper pollution. Of course, people need paper products, but we should see to it that it comes from organic sources, sustainable, and goes through an ecological safe production.

When we talk about organic paper, we are actually referring to those papers crafted from a variety of natural fibers, may it be pulp wood fibers or hemp plant fibers. Moreover, it should have observable textures, degrees of natural shades, and a general organic guise and sense. The world’s first entirely organic, non-toxic paper made was brown in color with components such as wheat, maize, and other crop bushes.

There are actually different types of organic paper available in the market. This would include organic rice paper, organic wheat paper, organic maize paper, mixed organic paper, and organic bamboo paper.  First of all, organic rice paper is basically non-fibrous, refined, delicate, thin paper that comes from the pith of rice paper tree that is commonly cultured in China and Japan. With the use of a sharp knife, the pith is then cut and made into thin layers. Rice paper is generally white in appearance, absorbent, long-lasting, and is often used in arts and crafts. Aside from these, it is also a best choice for calligraphy, poster painting, sketching, and ornate purposes.

Another type we have is the organic wheat paper. It is made from the name itself, wheat fibers, that are golden in color. The excellently compressed wheat pulp provides a fine surface to the wheat paper. This type of organic paper is commonly used for art purposes and at the same, time as home decorations. The third type is what we call organic maize paper. This paper is one that is made from the fibrous litters of maize processing. Fact is, it is a good replacement for the wood fiber used mainly in paper. Maize paper is indeed gleaming and thin and they are mostly used for packaging purposes.

Next, we have the mixed organic paper which is best for card making. It has milky shading and implanted natural trimmings including coconut, banana, mango, and more. And lastly, we have the organic bamboo paper. Long and thin fibers from bamboo are used in this type of paper. In the process, the bamboo is crushed and is soaked in lime water for months. After the sheets are dried, they are now peeled off as fine-looking bamboo papers.

These are only some of the many organic papers that can be made from natural sources. They do not do much harm to the nature’s balance than those made from in-organic, synthetic ones.

By David Hewitt
          People are becoming more aware that we live in a finite and fragile world. There are constant natural disasters, wars over valuable resources, and environmental catastrophes. These things are all indicators that we, as consumers, need to be more environmentally responsible. We cannot continue to strip mine, cut down the precious rain forests, fight horrible wars over oil reserves, pollute and contaminate our precious drinking water, without it all having disastrous consequences. The first step we all can take is to “BUY ORGANIC”. Organic is not just about food anymore; it also applies to the home improvement materials we buy.

            Organic is naturally sustainable living. Everything made with chemicals is not organic. Our living environments are literally filled with chemical-laden materials. One of the biggest polluting chemicals is PVC, or poly vinyl chloride, in our home vinyl flooring. Science has proven that PVC outgases micro-vapors of this highly toxic chemical compound. Most modern carpets are made using a chemical called chromate copper arsenate (CCA), which contains the arsenic compound. Arsenic has long been used as rat poison! Who wants to breathe in rat poison? Many homes use flooring, carpeting, and wall materials that contain formaldehyde, another deadly chemical. Modern paints are filled with lead, a very deadly toxic substance that causes neurological disorders.

            Organic home improvement materials are those that are biodegradable and do not outgas toxic vapors. You may already have good organic materials in your home. Natural fiber wool, jute, or sisal rugs are organic materials. Board and lumber that are UN-treated are good, organic, home improvement materials. Treat your building boards with natural, organic oils, such as tung, hemp, or linseed oil. Mineral spirits will have harmful chemicals, especially if there is the “skull and crossbones” label on the can!

            There is an entire industry devoted to “green building” materials and techniques. Whole books are written on how to build or add on to a home using straw bales (using organic straws like wheat, rye, or oat), and using clay, sand, and manure to form bricks or cob. The Orientals have used bamboo flooring for centuries. Bamboo is a beautiful, organic, and sustainable building material. People may not know that while bamboo is technically a grass, it is actually harder than maple wood! It is tougher than many hardwood floors, moisture resistant, and because of its natural growth patterns, can add incredible warmth to your home.

            There are so many diverse areas where the eco-conscious home builder/buyer/remodeler can add to and improve their homes with biologically sustainable, organic products. There is tough “paper stone”, tumbled glass (which looks like crushed gravel, but is smoothed recycled glass that can be used on walkways, mosaics, garden mulch, and more), rammed earth, LED lighting, pellet stoves, and so much more.

            Let’s all do our part in building a sustainable future. The first step is becoming environmentally aware of the diverse ecological issues facing us as a global community. Then take direct, individual action, by buying organic whenever possible, whether it is food, clothing, or home improvement materials. A biologically sustainable future is really the only sane choice we have!

By Nida Rasheed
Carpets have become a staple part of home décor or interior design for many years now. There is something about walking on such component or material which enhances the overall experience of the person. Likewise, carpets can also be associated with the idea of affluence and good taste in design. Carpets create a certain kind of ambiance like no other.

In the same manner, there are many types of carpets that people can choose from. From varying styles, colors, designs and materials, people can surely find an array of products to choose from. Nonetheless, one of the most important or initial considerations when choosing the right carpet is whether to go for a synthetic or natural one at that.

Composition of Synthetic carpets

Synthetic carpets, as the name implies, make use of artificially produced materials. One of the most prominent benefits of getting a synthetic carpet is that it is comparatively cheaper than wool carpets or those made from natural fiber. Since synthetic materials are easy to produce and acquire their production costs are comparatively lower than getting natural fibers.

Two common types of synthetic carpet are nylon and acrylic. Acrylic is very resilient to stain and has very low absorption rate of moisture. This makes acrylic carpet very easy to clean and maintain. Acrylic carpet can also be used under direct sunlight because it does not wear out upon direct exposure. Nylon, on the other hand, is well known for its exceptional strength. It is very resistant to matting.

Composition of Natural carpetss

Since natural carpet uses genuine fibers, there is a certain value in them that synthetic carpet cannot achieve despite the latter’s inexpensive and practical nature. Just like how rare gems provide a certain aesthetic and overall appeal, the same goes for natural carpet. There is nothing quite like the look a wool or other genuine materials all put together for an extraordinary floor ensemble.

Natural carpet also has a certain kind of durability which many synthetic carpets cannot achieve or perfectly mimic. Synthetic fibers are often finer and translucent which make them vulnerable to another number of things that natural carpet is not. Natural carpet also has a bounce factor. Just like how you press a ball and it returns to its original shape, the same goes for wool carpets – they do not easily get distorted unlike many synthetic carpets. Natural carpet is not easily flattened.

Making the Choice

The choice of which carpet to use ultimately depends on the preferences of the individual. Each type offers certain set of advantages and incurs a range of disadvantages. It is up to the person whom set of advantages and disadvantages they are more amendable to.

Likewise, the design value of a carpet also mostly relies on the person and how he or she will use it. The wise choice will have to be the type of carpet that accommodates the person’s budgets as well as preferences. There are many designs to choose from that it should not be problem finding the most appropriate one for your living space.