0

Zero, nil, nothing, zilch, zip is the amount of waste paper we produce. Using only recycled paper we have developed a way of manufacturing our handmade paper pots without any waste. No leftover paper. Really nothing goes to waste. The making of zero waste paper pottery in several steps. Check it out...

0 (Absolutely Zero)

Zero, nil, nothing, zilch, zip is the amount of waste paper we produce. Using only recycled paper we have developed a way of manufacturing our handmade paper pots without any waste. No leftover paper. Really nothing goes to waste. The making of zero waste paper pottery in several steps. Check it out...

We buy paper leftovers and offcuts from the printing and packaging industry. We also buy recycled paper from a recycling paper mill in our province.

01

This paper is cut into the correct sizes to make the core of the paper pots. For precision cutting of these components, we are using laser cutting machines.

02

The pieces are bundled and distributed amongst the mothers who work from home. They also receive the necessary materials to fabricate the paper cores.

03

Every day the finished cores are brought to our collection centers where we select according to size and model.

04

In our factory, several layers of natural latex are applied to waterproof the now semi-finished pots. the Sri Lankan sun plays an important role in the process.

05

The offcuts from our laser cutters are collected separately.

06

These paper scraps are soaked for 24 hours in water without any chemicals. The mix is stirred until we get a smooth paper slurry.

07

This slurry is now diluted with more water. we do not add any chemicals during the whole process. The pulp is now scooped onto a deckle leaving a thick layer.

08

Our skilled workers now remove the excess water by sponging the layer of pulp. The layer of paper pulp is now transferred onto a cotton cloth for drying.

09

The cotton and paper are placed onto a mould. A pattern is now pressed into a stack of moist paper sheets.

10

The paper is not ready yet. The cotton sheets are hung to dry. Drying takes, depending on the cooperation of the Sri Lankan weather, from 12 to 48 hours. We don't like the monsoon season.

11

When completely dry the paper sheets are carefully peeled of the cotton. The paper is ready to be used.

12

We cut the paper to size. The offcuts are collected and used again by mixing them in the next batch of pulp. So when we say zero waste, we really mean zero waste!

13

The paper is now applied to the paper core and another unique zero-waste pot is ready!

14

We buy paper leftovers and offcuts from the printing and packaging industry. We also buy recycled paper from a recycling paper mill in our province.
This paper is cut into the correct sizes to make the core of the paper pots. For precision cutting of these components, we are using laser cutting machines.
The pieces are bundled and distributed amongst the mothers who work from home. They also receive the necessary materials to fabricate the paper cores.
Every day the finished cores are brought to our collection centers where we select according to size and model.
In our factory, several layers of natural latex are applied to waterproof the now semi-finished pots. the Sri Lankan sun plays an important role in the process.
The offcuts from our laser cutters are collected separately.
These paper scraps are soaked for 24 hours in water without any chemicals. The mix is stirred until we get a smooth paper slurry.
This slurry is now diluted with more water. we do not add any chemicals during the whole process. The pulp is now scooped onto a deckle leaving a thick layer.
Our skilled workers now remove the excess water by sponging the layer of pulp. The layer of paper pulp is now transferred onto a cotton cloth for drying.
The cotton and paper are placed onto a mould. A pattern is now pressed into a stack of moist paper sheets.
The paper is not ready yet. The cotton sheets are hung to dry. Drying takes, depending on the cooperation of the Sri Lankan weather, from 12 to 48 hours. We don't like the monsoon season.
When completely dry the paper sheets are carefully peeled of the cotton. The paper is ready to be used.
We cut the paper to size. The offcuts are collected and used again by mixing them in the next batch of pulp. So when we say zero waste, we really mean zero waste!
The paper is now applied to the paper core and another unique zero-waste pot is ready!