Double A Paper goes a long way toward aiding farmers in Thailand by paying them for the ability to use their land for planting saplings of the Paper-Tree. Double A Paper’s process provides supplementary income to these farmers, and leaves a positive impact on the community. This level of financial support is part of Double A Paper’s sustainable process and can be seen in many ways.
Efficient Spaces & Materials
Over 50% of space in Thailand is used for farming, but a lot of this land remains unused, such as the vacant space between rice paddies. Known as the KHAN-NA, this land is now being put to good use. Double A Paper uses this land to grow a specific, fast-growing tree called the Paper-Tree. These trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen into the environment. Pragmatically, they also offer shade for farmers as they walk through their farm’s land.
In farming areas, this method of sourcing forms positive professional relationships within the local community by giving farmers additional income for the growth and cultivation of these trees.
Helping Local Farmers
Double A Paper’s process helps local farmers in many ways. For example, a farmer named Udom Noyok has planted Paper-Tree saplings along the edges of his rice patties for ten years. With the money he earns through these trees, he was able to pay for the education of his two children, both of whom have graduated college. But he isn’t stopping there. With the extra income he continues to bring in, he now helps to fund the education of his grandchildren while paying for his household expenses.
Surasak and Noi Tiposaon, with two kids and college education to cover, are also excited about earning extra income through selling their matured trees to Double A Paper. So is Vichai Kanmanee, who is participating in One Dream, One Tree to pay off his land rental. Double A Paper makes a difference in many ways, for farmers and their communities.
Social Sustainability
Social sustainability is equally important. Not only are saplings of the Paper-Tree planted in vacant areas around rice paddies, they are also planted in vacant spaces around schools in Thailand. Once the trees reach maturity, Double A Paper buys them and the schools use the profits to purchase educational materials and make improvements to their classrooms. Such school funding programs remain sustainable in that each school can count on regularly cultivating these trees, and in return, receive more income.
Never Wasting Energy
During the manufacturing process, all waste, including chips, wood bark, knotted wood, lignin, and even sludge, are converted into renewable biomass fuel. The self-sufficiency of the manufacturing process provides electricity for local power plants, which then provide fuel to the mill and energy to over 400,000 local people. By powering plants in local villages, Double A Paper works to better the lives of those in the community around them.
That’s not all – when it rains, it pours! In these communities, Double A Paper manufacturing plants utilize rainwater reservoirs which provides the local communities with water. This water also goes toward the growth process of the Paper-Tree, ensuring that the process remains sustainable.
With these combined efforts, the company is staying true to its commitment of improving the local communities in a sustainable fashion. If you’d like to contribute to these efforts, and promote sustainability, you can purchase a ream of Double A Paper today. Not only will you obtain high-quality, sustainably-produced paper, but you’ll be supporting farmers and school programs that could truly use the support. Make the right choice today, and see the difference that can be made with Double A Paper.