Paper waste has been a serious problem in many industries and offices for years. Paper may account for 70% of a company’s total waste. An average office worker uses about 10,000 sheets of paper a year. Design An Mor has been exploring the physical and aesthetic properties of waste paper to develop materials that enhance this local resource. This research opens up new areas of innovative applications for waste paper, such as interior and design materials.

Design An Mor works with local partners to classify, shred, and manufacture waste paper into new fibre materials. The entire production process is designed as a cycle, from waste paper to raw materials, from raw materials to finished products. Until every piece of material that is no longer needed is ground up and remade into a finished product.

The aesthetics and properties of paper material allow it to be integrated into product designs. Due to the variety and complexity of paper scraps, it carries remnants of pre-recycling styles and treatments that make each piece of Paper Clay unique in colour, composition, and structure. As part of this research, their team also explored the development and use of locally available minerals and metal oxides in multiple colors. By applying resources and craftsmanship with minimal ecological impact, the Paper Clay project reunites these scraps of paper with natural materials.