Sustainability and creativity go hand in hand at Botanical PaperWorks. As a leading manufacturer of seed paper, paper waste is transformed into eco-friendly products that grow into beautiful flowers when planted. The journey began with a simple yet powerful idea: finding a sustainable use for discarded paper.
The Roots of Botanical PaperWorks
Botanical PaperWorks was co-founded by Mary Rimer and Heidi Reimer-Epp. It all started in an elementary school classroom, where excessive waste paper was being discarded daily. Instead of letting it go to waste, a vision emerged to give it new life. That vision blossomed into a thriving business that employs over 35 staff members—scaling up to nearly 50 during peak seasons.
“Botanical PaperWorks was founded by my mom, Mary Rimer, and myself. It all started because my mom was an elementary school teacher, and she was looking for a use for the waste paper that she saw in the classroom.” – Heidi Reimer-Epp
What Botanical PaperWorks Does
Specializing in producing high-quality seed paper in various shapes and colors, Botanical PaperWorks offers a diverse range of products, including:
- Promotional Products – Sustainable marketing materials for businesses
- Bulk Paper – High-quality seed paper available for creative applications
- Contract Manufacturing – Custom printing for other companies
- Consumer Goods – Wedding invitations, memorial products, and sustainable packaging
One of the signature products is seed bombs, compact balls of seed paper inspired by the Guerilla Gardening movement. These seed bombs can be tossed into urban spaces, where they grow into wildflowers or herbs, adding greenery to city landscapes.
A Circular Economy Approach
Sustainability is at the heart of every process. A circular economy approach ensures products are created with minimal environmental impact, focusing on three key areas:
- Reducing Harm – Evaluating the inputs and outputs of the production process to minimize environmental harm.
- Utilizing Waste Streams – Repurposing waste materials to create new products.
- Giving Back to Nature – Promoting sustainability by encouraging plant growth and habitat restoration for bees and butterflies.
“The circular economy, as I see it, is about producing a product in a way that we’re not creating pollution or other environmental harm. It’s also an opportunity to take existing waste and transform it into seed paper, and finally, to create a product that regenerates and does good for the environment—in our case, planting and growing habitats for bees and butterflies.” – Heidi Reimer-Epp
Zero-Waste Manufacturing
A commitment to zero waste is reflected in the production facility. This includes:
- Water Reclamation – Reusing water throughout the paper-making process.
- Reincorporating Waste – Any rejected seed paper sheets are processed back into production.
- Upcycling Scraps – Trimmings and cuttings are shredded for box fillers, which are used in packaging or sold to customers.
A great example of this commitment is the soap dishes, crafted from upcycled wooden pallets. These were originally used for transporting materials, but instead of discarding them, the wood is repurposed to complement handmade soaps.
Advice for Small Businesses Going Green
For businesses looking to become more sustainable, the key is to start somewhere. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the possibilities, but the first step is to implement one sustainable practice. Once that step is taken, the next one becomes easier. Aligning efforts with company values will help guide the journey towards sustainability.
“To small businesses looking to be more sustainable, I would say: pick something and get started. That is the most important thing. It’s very easy to get overwhelmed when you see all the things you could be doing and end up doing nothing. So pick something, implement it, and then move on to the next thing.” – Heidi Reimer-Epp
Botanical PaperWorks is dedicated to creating products that not only reduce waste but also give back to nature. By embracing sustainability, a positive impact can be made—one sheet of seed paper at a time.
To learn more about Botanical PaperWorks, check out at:
https://botanicalpaperworks.com/
