Wallpaper is made from a number of different materials and built up in layers. The top layer is normally printed or structured. About 50 per cent of all wallpapers are made from paper or recycled paper, the other 50 per cent is made from fleece and other synthetic materials. The materials used define the quality of the wallpaper.
The production of paper impacts the environment on several levels such as the use of wood, fresh water, the use of energy, waste water and the management of the paper ‘waste’. In Germany 70 per cent of all paper produced is recycled and recycled paper is also used widely in the production of wallpaper. In Germany alone 80 million roles of wall paper are produced every year.
The use of recycled paper reduces the consumption of primary wood fibres and protects forests and wildlife habitat. It also reduces the use of primary fossil energy as the key driver of climate change.
The primary wood fibres used in the production process should come from sustainable sources. Two labels indicate the use of sustainable woods: FSC and PEFC. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes (PEFC) were both founded in the 1990s and they not only guarantee social responsibility in manufacturing but also the minimisation of the negative impact on climate and biodiversity.
High quality wallpapers with long lifecycles make ecological sense as they can be redecorated when faded or the colour is out of fashion. It reduces the use of new wallpaper, saves resources and avoids ‘waste’.
MissPrint launched its Dandelion wallpaper at 100% Design in London last year. All MissPrint products are produced in the most environmentally friendly way wherever possible. The complete wallpaper range is PEFC certified, it is printed with organic pigment inks, which are non-toxic, free of heavy metals and classed as non-carcinogenic. In addition to being beautifully designed, each of the products sold by MissPrint also helps preserve the planet.
For sustainable wood sources please see www.fsc-uk.org and www.pefc.co.uk .