Back then when I was a student in high school and college, I remember how paper was highly used. We use paper every day to study and to play. I remember printing out my assignments or copying some teachers’ files. I remember my buying-books routine every few months, choosing which notebook I should buy from its cover design was something fun to do! I remember buying cute binder paper for exchange with my friends. 

Ah, 1990s and early 2000s are truly our golden years. We were happy without smartphones and social media platforms. We didn’t need them, as we enjoyed direct social engagements, and paper was part of it. 

Yes, two decades ago, printing and photocopy services were two prominent business ideas. I couldn’t live without them as a student. I came from a middle-low class family who didn’t have any phones, computer, or printer. A few months ago, when I was back in my hometown in Yogyakarta, I was kinda sad seeing the largest photocopy center in my neighborhood has turned into a trendy café-y barbershop. 

But, hey, this is not the end of the paper! Despite the declining amount of photocopy service, paper has survived. We still have paper in our daily life. From shopping lists to confidential corporate documents, paper is still in used. 

Call me old school or retro, but I believe paper has some unbeatable strengths, no matter how advanced and sophisticated our digital technology is. Let me explain them, and you’ll understand why. 

Paper gives variety to our activity. Scrolling smartphone screen for hours is tiring. Staring at our computer screen all day is exhausting. But when we take some breaks by reading, writing, or even drawing, it feels so refreshing! 

Paper adds a more personal touch. When I received a digital wedding invitation from a friend of mine, I felt like I’m one of his/her meaningless social media friends. Digital invitation is practical, but it’s boring and less personal. I guess some people in our lives deserve a physical, conventional, memorable invitation or greeting card. Do you exchange postcards with your fellow friends or travelers? It’s fun, right?! We collect them and keep them in a safe, or even private, place. 

February 8 2020 was the first time I celebrated my girlfriend’s birthday, Ara. I wanted to give her something personal, precious, and irreplaceable. After took some time to think, I decided to create our own comic book using my unused papers. I drew it and then colored it on my own. The comic itself tells a story about our journey, so I called it, “RAGISTORY”. “Ragi” is derived from our name, Ara and Nugi, and “ragi” (yeast) has a great meaning, specifically for us Christians. Just like yeast, we want us and everything around us to grow.

To make it firm, I went to the nearest photocopy center and added a hard-cover to it. We were in a long distance relationship, so I sent my gift to her in Palembang, South Sumatera. She was so happy and impressed! I guess I’m succeed. Now, her heart has already mine and we’ve been married for 2 years 🙂

Paper gives comfort. Reading a conventional, paper-based novel in a whole day is an enjoyable thing to do. We can read it by sitting, laying on bed, enjoying a cup of tea, or even when we are in a bathtub. But reading a digital novel for more than 2 hours? It would be so tiring, both for our hands and eyes. 

Paper makes us easier to remember. Studies and research I read online stated that when we write something on a paper, specifically in different colors, it lets our brain remember them easier than when we type on a keyboard. That’s why when you’re studying for your exam, it’s better if you write down what you learnt, engage with your textbooks (underline some words, add a little bit of a note, etc.). 

Paper is stronger than digital form for confidential and important matters. Even when nowadays almost all banks have their own digital banking line, paper is still highly used for customers approval, customers statement, etc. 

Now, when we’re talking about the usage of paper, there is certain mixed feeling appeared. 

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Do You Feel Bad Using (Too Much) Paper? 

In this era of global warming and paper is strongly related to it, some activists make us feel guilty to use some papers. Here’s the good news. Recently I’ve just found out that paper comes from a renewable natural resource. So, if the pulp and paper company have their own plantation and are doing the reforestation, I guess I’m fine with it. 

APRIL Group, manufacturer of the popular PaperOne, for example, conserve 250.000 hectares of HCV forests and works in a public-private partnership called Restorasi Ekosistem Riau (RER) to restore more than 150.000 hectares of peat forest in Kampar Peninsula. This is twice the size of Singapore! Since 2015, they’ve been running a 1-for-1 commitment where they restored or conserved an equal area of the forest land they managed for production.  

Furthermore, a baby elephant was born last April at Unit Konservasi Gajah Estate Ukui in Riau, an elephant conservation unit managed by PT Riau Andalan Pulp & Paper (RAPP), part of APRIL Group. They don’t only conserve trees or plants, but animals as well, and I think this is great. In RER, they protect globally endangered species (such as Regal Sumatran Tiger), Sialang Trees (any type of tree that hosts bees), and home to an Eco-Research Camp. No less than 27 endangered species of plants can be found inside RER from a total of 127 species of plants.  

As a part of Royal Golden Eagle (RGE) Group, they prove that Production-Protection model of plantation is possible! Hence, they initiate “APRIL 2030”, a vision where they have zero carbon emissions, zero extreme poverty in their communities, while keeping their business for sustainable growth.  

Now, I’m sure that you’ve heard a lot about recycling, a way that is globally spread to reduce waste and save the earth. Apart from recycling, there’s another fun way to apply a sustainable living: upcycling.  

No, recycling and upcycling are two different things. 

Recycling is an industrial process whereby waste is transformed into new materials, either for the same purpose (for example, recycled papers to make a cheap environmental-friendly paper) or change it to a new object (such as recycled papers to make a trendy shopping bag). Recyclables, such as paper or plastic bottles, need to be destroyed first before being transformed into a recycled object. They need to be taken to a recycling plant.  

Meanwhile, upcycling lets things as it is, we don’t need to crush them. We keep its original form and let it be recognizable. Upcycling can be done by yourself at home, you don’t need to bring your waste or unused stuff to a plant. For example, a wooden palette transformed into a chic and rustic bed or sofa. 

Check out these links below for reference:

• https://www.forgerecycling.co.uk/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-recycling-and-upcycling/   
• https://www.diversitech-global.com/post/recycling-vs-upcycling 
• https://www.upcycledzine.com/12-upcycle-design-ideas-using-paper/   
• https://thecrazycraftlady.com/newspaper-crafts/  

Upcycling includes creativity and innovation; hence it is sometimes called “creative recycling”. Upcycling transforms objects into a better, higher version of themselves. It even gives an object a new purpose to offer an entirely different function. Unlike recycling which consumes a large amount of energy, upcycling is way more energy efficient. Upcycling benefits us by reducing the amount of waste. Instead of just throwing off your used cardboard box, you upcycle them into a stationery box, a lamp shed, or your files organizer.  

What about paper? Can we upcycle them? 

Of course, even if it’s just plain white paper. You can upcycle your used printed out paper into a notebook. To do so, you need to bind them together with glue or stapler, then make it prettier by adding a colored carton paper as its cover. Now, you’ve upcycled your used paper into a notebook or drawing book! Paper upcycling can be easily done by yourself. 

Need more ideas? Below are some examples: 

1. Paper lamp shade 

2. Paper plant container 

3. Cute paper bag 

4. Paper photo frame 

5. Origami decoration. 

You can do more upcycle ideas with colored paper, old newspaper, cardboard box, or carton box. Let your creativity and craftmanship shine! 

Wow, upcycling is not only sustainable, but it’s also fashionable. A sustainable fashion! 

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I believe that some of you are now enlightened. What you knew before as recycling is, turns out, upcycling. Yes, I admit that the term “upcycling” hasn’t been popular here in Indonesia. Most people know the 3R—reuse, reduce, recycle—and have no idea that there is an “U”. U for “upcycle”, and U for “yourself”. The earth is in danger, and it needs YOUR help, it starts from YOU. 

Upcycling has been a new trend of sustainable living and sustainable fashion these recent years, whether you’re aware of it or not. A hotel from boxes of container? A cafe using a gasoline drum as tables? Now, let’s trend paper upcycling.  Starts from you, post it online, and spread the word. Keep living by upcycling~