The impact of choosing PaperWise
Our materials offer 54% lower environmental impact than conventional paper, contributing to a more sustainable future.
54% lower impact
Life cycle assessment
In 2020, the consultancy organization CE DELFT conducted our second independent environmental study, comparing the environmental impact of PaperWise with that of FSC-certified and recycled paper. This study, a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), evaluated three key sustainability themes: human health, ecosystem diversity, and resource availability. It measured 16 environmental indicators, including climate change, soil and water ecotoxicity, human toxicity, smog formation, fossil fuel depletion, and soil acidification.
LCAs provide valuable insights into environmental footprints of products and companies. The results of the LCA showed that PaperWise has an environmental impact:
- 54% lower impact than paper made from trees.
- 38% lower than recycled paper.
Now, after the last years of growth and continuous improvement, our operations have become even more efficient and sustainable. To reflect these developments, we are currently conducting a new Life Cycle Assessment to measure and validate the environmental performance of PaperWise today.
Material comparison
The difference in raw material for paper production by PaperWise compared to conventional paper manufacturing.
| Wood fibres FSC | PaperWise Tree-free alternative | |
|---|---|---|
| Raw material origin | Primary | Secondary |
| Raw material renewability in time | 40+ years | 1 year |
| Raw material yield per hectare annually | 3.24 ton | +44% 4.67 ton |
| Efficient use of land and plant | Paper | Food + Paper |
| Lower environmental impact with green energy and agricultural waste | 240 CO₂ eq (without transport) | 110 CO₂ eq (transport included) |
| Recyclability of paper | 7x | 7x |
| Quality of paper | White / Multifunctional | White / Multifunctional |
| Average useful life of paper | 5 minutes | 5 minutes |
Impact in numbers
Since its launch, PaperWise has grown to become Europe’s market leader in paper and board from agricultural waste. We have over 3,500 customers in 23 countries, including well-known companies such as Lufthansa, Tony’s Chocolonely, Heineken, IKEA, Accenture, Staples, World Expo Dubai and Weleda.
Together with our customers, we have (by the end of 2025):
-
18,033,994 kg Agricultural waste given a second life. -
27,050,991 kg CO₂ eq saved by preventing the burning of agricultural waste -
147,023 Trees saved, alongside 2,042 hectares of deforestation prevented.
What does this impact look like?
Understand the scale of our emissions savings through these comparisons.
Saved CO₂ eq equal to driving a car for
253,759,940 km
Saved CO₂ eq equal to driving around the world
6,332 times
Saved trees and prevented deforestation equal to
3,037 football fields
Calculate your environmental impact
Check what you have savedClimate action plan
PaperWise is committed to reducing our environmental impact and contributing to the fight against climate change. Through responsible business practices, sustainable products, and continuous improvement of our operations, we aim to strengthen climate resilience. PaperWise is committed to supporting the global ambition to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, in line with the Paris Agreement. This Climate Action Plan outlines the roadmap we have established to help achieve this goal. Progress against the climate action targets set out in this plan will be monitored quarterly and reviewed every two years to ensure they remain relevant and effective. Updates and achievements will be communicated annually through our Sustainability Report. Overall ownership of these goals rests with the Sustainability Manager, who will work with relevant departments to deliver these commitments.
1. Measure and report Scope 1, 2 and relevant Scope 3 emissions annually
Target: By 2027, establish a greenhouse gas emissions baseline, covering Scope 1, Scope 2 and relevant Scope 3 emissions. Measure and report emissions annually to monitor progress and identify reduction opportunities.
Immediate action: Create and implement emissions data collection process. Identify key emission sources, collect relevant data from suppliers and logistics providers, and establish a consistent annual reporting method.
Stakeholder engagement: Engage employees, suppliers and logistics providers to improve emissions data collection and quality, identify reduction opportunities, and encourage shared responsibility for climate action.
Resources:
- Sustainability Manager: coordinates data collection, calculations and reporting.
- Support from relevant employees for providing energy records, purchasing invoices, transport data and supplier information.
- Spreadsheet-based tracking tools and emissions reporting templates.
- Limited external support where specialised carbon calculations are required.
2. Increase the use of low-emission freight partners
Target: By 2030, ensure that sustainability criteria, including emissions performance, is a consideration when using logistics providers, and increase collaboration with providers actively working to reduce transport emissions.
Immediate action: Review current logistics providers, collect available transport emissions data, and introduce sustainability criteria into providers’ evaluations and future agreements.
Stakeholder engagement: Engage logistics providers and customers to identify opportunities for lower-carbon transport solutions, improved delivery planning and reduced transport-related emissions.
Resources:
- COO: integrates sustainability criteria into logistics providers reviews.
- Existing supplier communication channels.
- Logistics data, shipment records and supplier sustainability information.
- No dedicated investment required; improvements integrated into normal procurement decisions.
3. Encourage lower-carbon transport options for employees
Target: By 2027, assess employee commuting patterns and implement at least one initiative to encourage lower-carbon transport options.
Immediate action: Gather employee feedback on commuting habits and identify realistic actions that can reduce transport-related emissions, such as supporting cycling, public transport, car sharing and electric vehicle adoption.
Stakeholder engagement: Consult employees through informal discussions or surveys to understand commuting challenges and identify suitable solutions.
Resources:
- Sustainability Manager: coordinates assessment and initiatives.
- Existing internal communication channels.
- Simple surveys or employee discussions.
- Employee incentives such as public transportation allowance.
4. Train employees annually on sustainability and climate awareness
Target: From 2027 onwards, ensure 100% of employees receive annual sustainability and climate awareness training, and collect feedback to improve future training.
Immediate action: Develop an annual sustainability briefing covering PaperWise’s climate commitments, environmental impacts and employee actions.
Stakeholder engagement: Engage employees through training sessions, and feedback opportunities to identify practical sustainability improvements.
Resources:
- Sustainability Manager: develop and deliver training.
- Employees: complete annual sustainability training.
- Training materials, presentations and communication resources.
- Minimal training costs using internal experience and publicly available resources.
5. Publish annual progress against climate targets through a Sustainability Report
Target: From Q4 2026 onwards, publish an annual Sustainability Report, communicating progress against climate targets, key environmental performance indicators, improvement actions, and stakeholder engagement activities.
Immediate action: Define key sustainability reporting indicators, assign data collection ownership and prepare a simple annual sustainability update.
Stakeholder engagement: Share progress with employees, customers, suppliers, and relevant stakeholders to maintain transparency and encourage collaboration.
Resources:
- Sustainability Manager: coordinates data collection and reporting.
- Marketing Specialist: creates reporting templates and supports publication.
- Existing operational and sustainability data.
- Input from employees and suppliers where relevant.
Governance and Approval: This plan has been formally reviewed and approved by PaperWise’s executive team as of 1 January 2026.