A Sustainable Journey of Handmade Paper from Past to Present: A Review

Abstract

Paper is an excellent medium of expression and knowledge preservation and communication because of its writing, printing, and packaging abilities. It is a thin sheet or web-like structure made by a dilute suspension of cellulosic fibres. Handmade papermaking technology was mass accepted and considered a precious commodity before development of an industrialised wood- pulp based paper industry. This modern papermaking practice harms the environment as it uses enhanced natural resources (ample amount of water, trees as a primary source for wood pulp) and generates pollution due to release of harsh chemicals. This paper reviews the history and process of handmade paper manufacturing from past to present. Along with that, all the pillars of sustainability (environmental, economic, and social) in relation to the handmade paper industry are deep rooted since ancient times and very much relevant for the present era of sustainable development. Various kinds of cellulosic raw materials from plants (Paper mulberry, Kazo, Gampy, hemp, bamboo, banana, etc.) and other used materials (old rags, ropes, nets, newspapers etc.) with the chemical-free production process and products make this industry eco-friendly. Craft based, small scale and labour-intensive guild art gives it social strength; whereas an infinite product range having functional and decorative uses, as well as strong export potential of the industry gives it an economic strength. Due to the present need of sustainable production, waste minimisation, and circular economy, the handmade paper seems to very potential industry to recycle various kind of waste like weedy battles, textiles, tetra packs, currency, plastic etc. This paper is an attempt to review the journey of handmade papers, its recycling potential, various production processes, products, advantages and disadvantages of the industry from past to present.

Crafts as a key factor in local development: Bibliometric analysis

“…Arts and crafts can therefore be a sustainable business [ 21 ]. In this sense, crafts are a cleaner, more sustainable and ecological activity than industrial activities, such as, for example, the production of craft beer [ 22 ]; fashion designs [ 23 ]; batik production in Indonesia [ 24 ]; papermaking [ 25 ]; jewelry processes [ 26 ]; or the use of wood waste to treat gray water [ 27 ].…”

Glycome Profiling and Bioprospecting Potential of the Himalayan Buddhist Handmade Paper of Tawang Region of Arunachal Pradesh

“…Traditionally, handmade papers are made from wood-free materials, like silk cotton, banana fibers, cotton, kenaf, mat grass, bagasse, and agro-wastes. It has been reported that handmade papermaking was earlier practiced in China but due to its high potential, it is also being practiced by many European and Asian countries as well ( Jain and Gupta, 2021 ). Handmade papermaking is regarded as the most important environment-friendly approach to paper production as it emphasizes the conservation of natural resources like forests, large trees, etc., along with the significant reduction of detrimental compounds leaking into the environment.…”