Tree-Free was formed with a commitment to the environment, and that is why we are dedicated to the use of kenaf. We are the first card company to have a goal of reaching a 100% non-tree source paper product. Because this has not yet been attempted, we have worked out a step-by-step program to reach our goal of being totally tree-free. At the moment, our total product is over 60% kenaf and expect to be 100% kenaf within a year.
There are only good reasons to use KENAF for paper making:
* Saves Trees: Growing kenaf eliminates the need to cut trees and preserves delicate habitat for animals, plants and humans.
* Annual Crop: Kenaf is grown yearly compared to trees, which can take up to 40 years to reach harvestable size.
* Insecticide Free: Paper is made from the kenaf stalk, so insecticides are not needed to protect the fruit or the flower.
* Kenaf does not spread! Unlike other non-native plants, kenaf requires very warm weather for seed production and cannot spread places that harm other plants.
* Uses Less Chemicals & Energy: Kenaf fiber requires less energy than wood to turn it into pulp and has a very light color, which means that it has a chlorine-free bleaching; this means that no harmful dioxins are released into the air to make kenaf paper.
* In short, when considering all of the information and proof of kenaf, there are few reasons to ever cut another tree for paper! In addition to all this, kenaf can also be RECYCLED.
Kenaf is a 4,000 year old crop with roots in ancient Africa. It is related to hibiscus (Hibiscus cannabinus L) and a cousin to both cotton and okra. Kenaf grows quickly and is capable of rising to heights of 12-14 feet in as little as 4 to 5 months. After evaluating over 500 plants, the US Department of Agriculture chose kenaf as the best replacement for trees in paper making.
- Vision Paper News, January, 2001