Welsh Company Proves it Gives a Shit

Creative Paper Wales is proving to be an appropriate name for one small UK company. In an ever-vigilant attempt to protect natural resources with innovative, sustainable ideas, Creative Paper has developed a new form of making paper out of sheep dip (or “poo” as they like to say). I admit, it’s an idea I never thought of and I bet you didn’t either. But it could just be crazy enough to work.

The company collects fresh sheep poo, washes it, sterilizes it and creates pulp out of the cellulose fibers. Why sheep and not, say, cow or horse? Because sheep only digest 50% of the cellulose fibers they eat, leaving lots of usable bits left over on the “other side.” Then, using traditional paper making techniques, the pulp is formed into sheets and hung to dry. The washing process produces a big pile of usable fibers that make very usable paper. As a nifty by-product it also produces a clean, rich, liquid fertilizer which the company offers to local farmers.

Founders Lawrence Toms and Lez Paylor began the line of Sheep Poo Paper™ for environmental reasons but also to show that there are numerous creative ways to think outside the proverbial box about how we tackle some of the challenges the environment faces.

It appears the idea is hot. Creative Paper Wales is currently in discussion with a Fair Trade eco-sensitive goods store in Manhattan, New York and is beginning discussions with a wide range of similar stores across the US. Look the popular line of Christmas season greeting cards as Christmas 2006 approaches.

In addition to their best selling Christmas card line, Creative Paper Wales recently introduced their Sheepy di Bergerac or “I Love Ewe” Valentine cards to the US market. Because nothing says “I Love Ewe” like a card made out of sheep dip.

For more information: www.creativepaperwales.co.uk