Amsterdam Pulp Paper

Long description

In the streets and parks of Amsterdam, there are approximately one million trees. Every year about four percent of these trees are cut down for public safety reasons. Trees can also lose branches during storms or may simply need to be removed to accommodate new traffic situations.. Part of these felled trees are cut to benches and used for the production of new street furniture, for example. The generated residual sawdust is an important ingredient for the paper presented here. The bright color wood fibers of poplar trees are perfect for making paper. After the Second World War, the poplar tree was widely planted in Amsterdam and its suburbs. Given the fact that an average poplar tree has a life expectancy of about 70 years, this stock will become a very valuable resource in upcoming years, guaranteeing a reliable and continuous flow of raw material for producing large amounts of paper in the future. The residual material, which normally is considered waste, can now be used to produce a high quality paper product.

Amsterdam Pulp Paper is made from locally sourced products and is produced within a tolerable distance from our studio. This project illustrates how a mass-produced and standardized product, such as paper, can be turned into a bespoke item that uses local resources and is designed for specific needs.

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