As a graphic designer I am in constant need of a sketchbook. I have an entire shelf on my bookcase dedicated to my sketchbooks from the past, containing every logo idea, random thought, and color obsession I’ve had since design school. These books have become my lifeline, my source of every single thing I think and do related to design.
Since my reliance on my sketchbooks is so strong, I’ve taken to buying recycled paper versions at my local art store, partial to Strathmore’s line. But I’ve never liked the tooth of the paper in these books, I find it to be too textured, and the fiber is more absorbent than I’d like. Still, I felt like using a sketchbook filled with virgin fibers was irresponsible, so I put up with those somewhat minor inconveniences for the sake of sustainability.
Thankfully, Strathmore has released a sketchbook made from 100% Windpower paper, supplied by Mohawk Paper (Strathmore’s parent company).* In 2003, Mohawk was the first paper company to dedicate a plant to run on solely wind-generated electricity, and today about 60% of the company’s overall power use is comprised of renewable energy sources. You can read more about Mohawk’s switch to windpower in this little PDF.
Of course, the whole thing smacks of being trendy, but these new sketchbooks are so good that I don’t care. The paper in Strathmore’s windpower sketchbooks is less toothy and textured than their previous recycled version, and the pages have a convenient perforation so I can tear out a page and have a clean edge. And, like the recycled version I used before, the fiber contains 30% post-consumer recycled content.
Read about how Mohawk’s windpower paper has affected the environment on Treehugger, and you can buy this sketchbook over here, or look for it in your local art supply store.
*UPDATE: Apparently Strathmore isn’t owned by Mohawk any longer, although Mohawk does still manufacture these sketchbooks using their windpower paper. As for the new owners of Strathmore, “Pacon now sells the Strathmore Artist papers under a license to use the Strathmore name from Mohawk”, according to Brian Cowie of The Paper Mill Store. Thanks, Brian!
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Jody 06.05.07 at 5:49 am
I’m curious about the comment about the product being trendy. I have often found myself repelled by an environmentally/health conscious product by a mainstream company because I felt it to be trendy (I assume this is what you meant). If it is a good product, and the product walks the walk even though the company doesn’t always, should I buy it? I have arguments that go either way. No, because the rest of the company’s products don’t walk the walk; and Yes, because maybe they will get the message if more people buy the greener product. What do the rest of you do?