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Plantables: Crafting a Greener Future with Seed Paper
By Ketul
Update 17 Sept, 2024
10 min read
Contents
Plantables, an Agra-based company, seeks to accelerate the shift of consumers toward more sustainable options. Plantables is proving that sustainability can be fashionable and enticing without sacrificing quality by fusing creativity, diligence, and a strong dedication to the environment. Their elegantly designed items and eco-friendly materials make it simple for customers to make ethical decisions.
Garima Capoor and Sumat Nanda founded Plantables, and since its inception, it has grown fast to become an environmentally aware movement. Their range of products, crafted from seed paper—a biodegradable material embedded with seeds that can be planted to grow into various plants—embodies their vision of sustainability with elegance and innovation.
From Wedding Cards to a Sustainable Business
Plantables’ tale started off in an unusual manner. As Garima and Sumat planned their wedding, they made it a point to include sustainability in all areas of their special day.
They wanted to create wedding invites that would benefit the environment rather than merely being thrown away after the ceremony. Their idea for seed paper sprang from here; instead of paper going to waste, it could be planted and grown into something into a plant that can be cherished or given back to the people after the wedding as well. Also, it would be a souvenir.
The pair opted to make their own because they could not find any good solutions on the market. They decided to expand on this idea after receiving encouraging feedback from their wedding guests, who subsequently emailed them pictures of the plants that had sprouted from the cards.
In order to provide sustainable stationery and other goods that not only fulfill a need but also meaningfully improve the environment, Garima and Sumat formally launched Plantables in 2018.
The Seed Paper Revolution
Plantables uses seed paper in an inventive way that distinguishes them from other environmentally conscious firms. As opposed to conventional paper, which is manufactured from tree pulp and then thrown away, seed paper is created from recycled cotton scrap, or textile industry waste. This paper may be planted in soil and will biodegrade, allowing new plants to grow from its imbedded non-GMO seeds.
Making seed paper is a labor-intensive procedure that needs close attention to detail. From obtaining raw materials to creating, printing, and packing their goods, Garima and Sumat are in charge of the complete production process. By being hands-on, they can guarantee that every product they make is of the best caliber and satisfies their exacting sustainability requirements.
Keeping the seeds alive during the production process is one of the primary concerns when dealing with seed paper. Conventional printing techniques, such offset printing, employ pressure and heat that might harm the seeds and make them unusable.
Plantables had to do a lot of research and development to create printing methods that maintain the integrity of the seeds while also creating gorgeous, premium goods.
Empowering Communities Through Sustainable Practices
Plantables aims to empower nearby communities in addition to producing sustainable products. Their headquarters are in Agra, a Tier 2 city in India, where they collaborate closely with a group of indigenous women, many of whom are from low-income families.
To guarantee that every product fulfills Plantables’ exacting requirements, these people have received internal training in handling quality inspections and handcrafting duties.
The fact that there are an equal number of men and women working for Garima and Sumat makes them very proud of this. They are dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive work environment for each and every one of their workers, believing that empowering women is essential to strengthening society as a whole.
Amidst the COVID-19 outbreak, Plantables encountered noteworthy obstacles. They were unable to function remotely as a production unit, and for three months they saw no sales. Even with their financial difficulties, Garima and Sumat were adamant about holding onto every employee.
Despite their tiny size, the staff recognized the circumstances and decided to forgo raises in order to keep the business afloat. This difficult time just made them more determined to carry on their sustainable and empowering purpose.
A Diverse Range of Products for a Global Audience
Plantables began with wedding invites, but since then, the company has grown to include a variety of stationery products, calendars, rakhi gifts, and even eCards. From the materials chosen to the packaging, every product is created with sustainability in mind. To further lessen their influence on the environment, Plantables gives priority to using recycled materials or plantable paper for packaging.
Plantables’ capacity to provide fully personalized items with no minimum order quantity is one of their distinctive features. Because of their adaptability, they have been popular with both individual customers and business clients, who enjoy the opportunity to customize eco-friendly products that reflect their ideals.
Plantables may now reach clients in 35 countries worldwide with the help of shipping partners and e-commerce platforms. Their capacity to reach a worldwide audience has been crucial in disseminating their sustainable message and cultivating a devoted clientele. Numerous patrons frequently make repeat purchases, attracted not just by the high caliber of the merchandise but also by their in-person contacts with the Plantables staff.
New Ideas and Continued Growth
Garima and Sumat are thrilled about the potential for Plantables as they look to the future. Whether it’s branching out into other sustainable materials or working with designers and artists to push the limits of what can be done with seed paper, they are continuously investigating new concepts and opportunities.
One area they are particularly focusing on is the paper industry’s ongoing shift toward sustainable alternatives. Although they acknowledge that there is some “greenwashing” in the industry—a practice where companies overstate the benefits their goods offer the environment—they see this as proof that people are starting to talk more about sustainability.
Garima and Sumat believe that although if companies are only now discussing sustainability, in the end they will shift toward more environmentally friendly operations.
A Personal Commitment to Sustainability
For Garima and Sumat, sustainability is a way of life rather than merely a business plan. They have deliberately tried to integrate sustainable habits into their everyday lives, such as using solar energy, cutting back on trash, or making environmentally friendly purchases.
They are also eager to impart their knowledge and inspire others to adopt modest lifestyle adjustments that may have a significant positive effect on the environment.
One of the key points they wish to make is that sustainability is a necessary change that helps businesses and the environment alike, not merely a passing fad.
They urge everyone to begin small, make thoughtful decisions, and progressively integrate sustainable practices into their jobs and personal lives—individuals, entrepreneurs, and students alike.
Final Thoughts
Plantables is a movement that aims to create a more environmentally conscious and sustainable world, not just a brand. Garima Capoor and Sumat Nanda are positively influencing the environment and demonstrating to the world that it is possible to design elegant, useful items that do not hurt the environment via their creative use of seed paper and their dedication to strengthening local communities.
Plantables will surely encourage others to follow in their footsteps as they expand and change, demonstrating that everyone can make a difference if they have imagination, hard work, and a strong commitment to sustainability. One seed paper at a time, Garima and Sumat are sowing the seeds of change via their goods, business dealings, and personal lives.
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