About Blanks gives new life to old books

About: Blanks
Type of organisation or company
Country
Netherlands
City
Rotterdam
Language for original content
Project elaborated in partnership
No
Start/End date
Ongoing
Yes
Type of funding
Kjell Betlem
Description

About Blanks makes sketchbooks and notebooks from old books and recycled materials found in closets, attics and at book fairs.

The old book covers are reused by removing the pages inside and refilling the cover with sustainable blank sketch paper. Each About Blanks note- and sketchbook is different and therefore unique.

Sustainability goes beyond reusing and recycling materials. About Blanks products are made in a social employment facility, where people with a disability or poor job prospects can get a job and participate in society. 

Sustainability also means that a product should last a long time and so quality plays an important role, with materials selected appropriately. The sketch paper comes from responsible sources (FSC).

Main activity field
Identified challenge (s)
Main results
  • About Blanks reuses existing materials and moulds them into new combinations, giving new life to old books.
  • Each About Blanks book is unique and hand-crafted by people with a disability or poor job prospects.
  • The residual material that can no longer be reused is collected and sent for recycling.
  • Waste paper is recycled and used to produce new paper and cardboard.