Eco-paper for Change

Eco-paper for Change aims to provide training and support to 1 million Black, Indigenous, and Latinx entrepreneurs to make handmade paper. Handmade paper can be made from old newspapers, compost, or tree-free fibers such as cotton, hemp, corn, etc. This skill does not require access to machinery and can be made in every home. This project will build skills and provide training opportunities to entrepreneurs seeking additional income, unemployed, unemployment, or homeless to make high quality products made with handmade paper. 

In Ohio, 451,000 Asian, Pacific Islander, Black, Hispanic children from single-parent families live below 200% poverty as families do not know how to access sustainable jobs and livelihoods.[1] Many of the sustainable jobs available require time spent away from the workforce in community colleges or schools, time that single-parent families usually cannot spare. Other forms of livelihood require new machinery and technology that are not readily available in resource-poor communities.

[1] https://spotlightonpoverty.org...

We all use and consume paper, whether for office use or in restaurants. Rising demand for eco-friendly paper products can generate new products in the market.  Handmade paper turns waste from old magazines, compost, fabrics into incredible paper sheets. Unlike machine-made paper, each piece of handmade paper is made-to-size and can be made into high-end new eco-products such as drawing paper, writing cards, paper napkins, grocery bags, coasters, or wallpaper. Using handmade paper can reduce environmental damage as trees are not cut to produce this product; instead, waste material is recycled into a new finished product.

The waste material is first pounded and boiled for a few hours and added to a papermaking vat. Later the pulp is poured through a deckle. Once drained, the paper is pressed in a press and later air-dried and ready to be used. 

My advisor has worked with poor women's groups in Pakistan and has taught them to make handmade paper that has been marketed in stores. Many of the women have increased their income by 200%. Making paper is easy and can be produced in any home with little training.

Providing training to single-parent families living below 200% poverty in Ohio to learn new skills on making handmade paper to increase their incomes while creating new markets for eco-friendly paper products. 

Full-time staff: 1

I will ensure that people that work in my organization are drawn from communities where I will implement the training from

Asian, Pacific Islander, Black, Hispanic, and white single-parent communities living in poverty. 

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More paper is manufactured and wasted daily in the US. Eco paper takes an ancient method of recycling waste and making it into new products for the US consumer market. Although competitors are making wallpaper, paper bags, etc, this product is made from recycled products. Markets for handmade paper products in the US will be expanded through this traditional yet eco-friendly venture.

Rising demand for eco-friendly paper products can generate new products in the market.  Handmade paper turns waste from old magazines, compost, fabrics into incredible paper sheets. Unlike machine-made paper, each piece of handmade paper is made-to-size and can be made into high-end new eco-products such as drawing paper, writing cards, paper napkins, grocery bags, coasters, or wallpaper. Using handmade paper can reduce environmental damage as trees are not cut to produce this product; instead, waste material is recycled into a new finished product.

The waste material is first pounded and boiled for a few hours and added to a papermaking vat. Later the pulp is poured through a deckle. Once drained, the paper is pressed in a press and later air-dried and ready to be used. After market research, a designer will be hired to create products such as wallpaper, paper nags, and coasters for US markets. Sales to supermarkets and interior designers will be a key focus of this venture.

Handmade paper has been made in countries across the world; however, it has not gained much use in the US. As poverty has increased, unemployment has grown, I wanted to find a straightforward way to provide single-family households with the opportunity to earn an income by creating handmade paper sold at a premium. For example, this couple in New Zealand are making amazing handmade wallpaper in their home. I intend to help women in Ohio and across the US with this ancient technology that is good for the environment. 

  See https://www.paperhands.co.nz/

Providing affordable, skill-building, and training opportunities for single-family households to make handmade paper in Ohio will lead to increased income, improved environment, and household waste reduction.

I intend to help women in Ohio and, eventually, 1 million single-family households across the US learn this ancient technology and make and market handmade paper that is good for the environment. I will ensure that designers will incorporate traditional designs from native American, Asian, Pacific Islander, Black, Hispanic in products such as wallpaper and greeting cards.

I need to have $500,000 to buy equipment, develop training videos, hire large training spaces, and hire ethnic designers. I will also need to advertise the program, conduct thorough market research, find buyers for the communities’ handmade paper products

Winning the grand prize and working with Solve, Morgridge Family Foundation, New Profit, and other Challenge partner communities will assist me to overcome the financicial, market research, and marketing barriers.

Market research on which large supermarkets and interior design firms will be willing to place orders for handmade paper products.

My advisor has trained more than 75,000 poor women in Pakistan to make and begin selling handmade paper at a profit.

I have worked in more than 10 developing countries assisting poor women in supplementing their income, and I am determined to help women in my country who are suffering from a loss of employment or low incomes.

Not working with any other organization yet

Paper is used across the US.  Handmade paper has been made in countries across the world; however, it has not gained much use in the US. As poverty has increased, unemployment has grown, I wanted to find a straightforward way to provide single-family households with the opportunity to earn an income by creating handmade paper sold at a premium. 

I will ask for a 5% commission on all the handmade paper products sold to business contracts from the businesses. I plan to have annual sales of $240,000 in Year 1, increasing to $1,200,000 in Year 5. (Target of increasing annual sales by $240,000 each year)

Nil

I seek to raise $500,000 to begin operations.

I estimate that my expense will be the same amount I raised.

Financial and technical assistance in finding markets for products from the Morgridge Family Foundation, New Profit, and other Challenge partners.

Strong partnerships to help women in Ohio and across the US to develop an eco-product with multiple uses and marketing potential.