Growingpaper is a network of eight printing companies whose business model is built around zero waste and sustainability. They use seed paper, which is literally paper made from recycled material with viable seeds in it. The idea is that once you no longer need the printed item, you can plant it in the soil and the seeds will germinate.

Their printed material includes flyers, brochures, business cards and lanyards so businesses can opt for an eco-friendly product which also looks good. The inks they use are water-based and biodegradable, and the materials are made using zero-waste techniques. There are three different weights of paper containing different types of flower seeds:

• the 80g paper is machine made from 100% recycled paper in the Netherlands,
• the 150g paper is handmade in India from 100% cotton waste,
• the 250g paper is handmade by a social enterprise in South Africa which pays fair wages.

The papers are all printed using a technique which does not prevent the seeds from germinating. The company has been awarded the EU Ecolabel.