SUSTAINABILITY
Paper stands as one of the truly renewable, recyclable, and sustainable materials available to us.
At our commercial print studio, we are dedicated to responsible waste management. All paper waste generated is diligently transported to a local recycling company with a steadfast commitment to zero waste to landfill practices. Through this process, the discarded paper is transformed into fresh, new papers, further contributing to the circular economy.
In our boutique stationery store, the spotlight is on recycled paper. We primarily source papers that are either wholly or partly made from Pre and Post-Consumer Waste (PCW), thus actively reducing landfill waste. Beyond this, we're excited to offer stationery crafted from innovative materials like wheat straw, elephant poo, grass, seaweed, and cannabis fibers, some of which save up to 50% more resources than traditional paper. Our plantable wildflower seed paper, made from 75% recycled content, is a customer favorite. Not only is it fully biodegradable, but it also blooms into native British wildflowers when planted.
As specialists in foil stamping and embossing, we constantly strive to make our production processes as sustainable as possible. Foil stamping, our primary method, is a dry and solvent-free technique that minimises energy consumption while imparting a dazzling metallic or special effect finish onto paper. This process leaves no emissions in its wake, exemplifying our commitment to environmentally conscious practices.
At our core, we strive to harmonise creativity and sustainability, offering you stationery products that not only inspire but also leave a positive imprint on the world around us.
Zero Foil 2 Landfill
After Hours Creative is enrolled in the Zero Foil 2 Landfill initiative which means our foil waste is converted to solid recovered fuel (SRF) to be used in the cement industry. This is used as a replacement for fossil fuels such as coal. Twelve tonnes of the polyester film used as a carrier for stamping foil replaces ten tonnes of fossil fuel.
Aside from recycling our foil waste, we also strive to deliver a clear message with our product collections, which is; foil stamped products are fully recyclable. It is a common misconception that a product with a metallic foil stamped finish cannot be recycled. Once transferred to paper, foil is so incredibly thin that it is completely dissipated during the re-pulping process. The process involves mixing paper or card products with water to turn them into a pulp. The pulp is then pressed, dried and rolled into new sheets of paper. This means that any of our foil-stamped products can be fully recycled. The foils used on our plantable products are also compostable and have even been shown to enhance seed germination.