It’s the new age of conscious consumption, and we’re constantly learning more about how even seemingly vegan products have hidden components that make them problematic. Take paper, for example. It comes from trees, so it’s vegan, right?
Well, it’s complicated, but you’re mostly safe. A basic sheet of paper is probably vegan since it’s made with wood pulp and water. But there are some types of paper that are created using animal byproducts. So it depends on how far you want to look into the process to determine whether it fits into your idea of veganism.
If your veganism involves eschewing any products derived from animals, we can help you parse the details of the extent to which the paper you’re printing documents or jotting down notes on, wrapping gifts with, or between the covers of the books you read are totally vegan – even if you don’t, you know, plan to eat them.
In What Ways Is Paper Not Always Vegan?
Paper is typically seen as a plant-based product since the primary raw material used to make it is wood pulp derived from trees. However, various stages of paper production can incorporate animal-derived products and the finished product non-vegan.
One place where animal products come in is in the papermaking step called sizing.
Sizing involves treating the paper to make it resistant to water so it’s more durable and can hold ink without blotting. Historically, sizing was done using gelatin, a substance derived from boiling the skin, bones, and connective tissues of animals.
While many paper manufacturers have switched to synthetic alternatives or plant-based substances, some high-quality art papers and archival papers may still use gelatin for sizing.
Today, there are various types of paper sizing agents available, including synthetic and plant-based alternatives. Synthetic sizing agents, such as alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) and rosin size, are widely used in modern paper production.
Veganism and Paper Printing
Another non-vegan culprit in the paper industry is the use of animal-derived ingredients in the inks and dyes used to print on paper.
Many traditional inks contain ingredients like shellac (a resin derived from the secretions of the female lac bug) and bone char (charred animal bones) to achieve certain colors and textures.
Animal glue is sometimes used in bookbinding as well. Caseins from skim milk are used mainly in wood-to-wood bonds. There are also synthetic alternatives that are becoming more popular. But it is probably going to be very difficult to tell if a book has been created with animal products unless you investigate each part of its construction.
While knowing whether or not your notepad or book is vegan may be hard to discern, the good news is that more people are asking and pressuring companies to be more transparent. These inquiries can also help the industry move away from unsustainable methods if they know people care.
How Can You Buy Vegan Paper?
So, how do you find vegan paper? Start by looking for paper labeled as tree-free, cruelty-free, or vegan.
There are now several brands that offer these products, using materials like bamboo, hemp, or recycled content. More companies are opting for plant-based sizing agents too, and they’ll be marked as such.
If you’re into arts and crafts, consider exploring hand-made paper options.
Many artisans are producing beautiful hand-made paper using vegan-friendly materials and processes. Not only can this be a more ethical choice, but it can also lend a unique touch to your creations. Â
Another thing that might surprise you is the need to look for cruelty-free and vegan paper towels and toilet paper!
Customer inquiries to companies such as Kimberly-Clark (which makes Cottonelle and Scott) and Charmin both still test on animals and do not guarantee their products and production processes are free of animal materials.
If this makes you worry about looking around your house for non-vegan papers of other sorts, just know that you can probably skip the kitchen since wax paper and parchment paper are typically vegan.
However, tissues can pose issues due to their production processes. Luckily, there are cruelty-free, vegan versions available made from bamboo.
Paper and Sustainability
As a vegan, you’re probably concerned with sustainability in addition to animal suffering.
The paper industry contributes significantly to deforestation, habitat destruction, and climate change. These factors indirectly impact animals by destroying their habitats and altering ecosystems.
Does this mean we should stop using paper? Not necessarily. But it does underscore the importance of being mindful of our consumption and making an effort to source vegan and environmentally-friendly paper products or use digital products.
Summary
The growing popularity of veganism is encouraging more manufacturers to offer vegan, cruelty-free, and sustainable paper products.
However, it’s always crucial to read product labels and do a bit of research since some papers, notebooks, retail books, and even household paper products do still use animal products in their production process.
