PaperWise celebrates 10 years: From idea to impact!
“Why should we cut down trees when so much agricultural waste is available every year?” Founder Peter van Rosmalen asked himself this question ten years ago. This powerful idea grew into PaperWise: paper and paperboard made from agricultural waste for packaging, printing, and copying paper. By preserving natural resources and combating climate change, PaperWise has made an enormous contribution to the circular economy. This year, PaperWise celebrates a decade as an organization filled with innovation, sustainable impact, and remarkable milestones.
HOW DOES PAPERWISE MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
At PaperWise, it is all about being “Wise With Waste” – handling what others see as residual waste intelligently. Together with its customers, PaperWise has given more than 15.9 million kilograms of agricultural waste a second life over the past ten years. This means: 129,926 trees saved – equivalent to 2,684 football fields! Additionally, 23.9 million kilograms of CO2 have been saved by not burning waste, comparable to driving around the earth 5,610 times by car. These results are not just figures on paper, but tangible proof of what is possible when we view waste as a valuable raw material.
REMARKABLE MILESTONES
The PaperWise journey is full of special moments. In 2016, founder Peter van Rosmalen was invited to lunch with King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, a recognition of his contribution to sustainability. In 2018, Peter participated in a trade mission to India, alongside Prime Minister Mark Rutte, to combat the open-air burning of agricultural waste. PaperWise played a prominent role at the World Expo Dubai in 2021, where millions of visitors used PaperWise carrier bags via partner Natural Bag. In 10 years, PaperWise has won more than 15 awards and nominations, such as the German Design Award and the UK Packaging Award, a wonderful recognition of its impact in the fields of innovation and sustainability within the industry. And since 2024, PaperWise has been a certified B Corp™.
WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS
PaperWise is now active in 23 countries and has more than 3,500 end customers. The dream? That all children learn at school that paper is made from agricultural waste. PaperWise continues to innovate to make processes more sustainable and bring them closer to customers. Together with its partners, PaperWise demonstrates that sustainability works. Every sheet of PaperWise paper tells a story of impact, innovation, and responsibility.
WILL YOU JOIN US?
You too can make a difference. By choosing PaperWise, you contribute to a future where waste is a valuable raw material. Together, we make the world greener, smarter, and more sustainable. That is what we call Wise With Waste…
READ anniversary magazine
In this blog, several highlights of the 10-year anniversary have been mentioned. But there is more to read in the PaperWise anniversary magazine. Click this link, enjoy your reading!
