When choosing a notebook, one should pause and consider that external signs, such as an earthy brown cover, a leaf logo, or the inscription 'eco-friendly,' can be misleading. It is important to consider the paper composition, the materials used, the durability of the product, and its potential for subsequent recycling.
Ashutosh Anant, co-founder of the paper and stationery brand 'Rescript,' emphasizes that product sustainability goes beyond appearance. He asserts that for a notebook to be considered sustainable, its origin, manufacturing method, service life, and what happens to it after use must be analyzed.
The brand 'Rescript,' founded in 2021 by Ashutosh and his school friend Naren Raj, produces notebooks, journals, planners, and other stationery using paper made from 100% recycled raw materials. Initially, the friends explored biofuel ideas in 2019, and later turned to corporate gifts, which allowed them to see the huge volume of paper consumption by businesses.
It was recycled paper and notebooks that became the starting point for the company, which subsequently expanded its range to a wider line of stationery. The co-founder shares six aspects that consumers should pay attention to before purchasing.
What to check when buying a notebook
Firstly, it is necessary to study the composition of the paper itself, as it constitutes the main part of the notebook. Instead of relying on general terms like 'eco-friendly' or 'green,' it is recommended to look for a clear indication of the percentage of recycled material. As Anant explains, a notebook made from 100% recycled paper reduces the need for virgin fibers and gives a second life to already used paper.
The percentage matters: a notebook with 10 or 20 percent recycled fiber differs from one made entirely from recycled paper, even if both are marketed as containing recycled materials. If virgin fiber is used, buyers should look for information on whether it was sourced responsibly.
Searching for reliable certifications
Claims become more significant when confirmed by independent auditing bodies. Ashutosh advises paying attention to recognized labels such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), while understanding the meaning of each. The FSC Recycled label guarantees that the corresponding fiber is 100% recycled. Whereas FSC Mix may include a blend of recycled material, virgin fiber, FSC-certified, and controlled virgin fiber.
Anant notes that the precise indication of fiber composition, certification number, and production information says much more than just a brown cover with a printed leaf.
Do not judge paper by color
Brown, beige, and gray paper is often associated with eco-friendliness, but color itself cannot indicate how responsibly the notebook was produced. The co-founder warns that a brown or gray notebook does not necessarily mean greater eco-friendliness. Color may indicate the paper processing, but it does not provide sufficient information about the fiber origin, degree of recycling, or overall level of production responsibility.
Bright white paper may undergo additional processing, bleaching, and optical brightening. Recycled paper can also be bright white, while virgin paper can be brown or beige. 'Rescript uses careful sourcing, segregation, de-inking, and controlled processing, avoiding chlorine bleaching to achieve its natural warm-white shade. For us, the goal was never just to create recycled paper; we aimed to create recycled paper that people would choose because it is good paper,' he explains.
Examining the cover and finishing
Even if a notebook contains recycled paper, it may include materials that make it difficult to recycle. Plastic lamination, synthetic covers, heavy coatings, foil, and other decorative elements increase the amount of materials used. When these components are firmly glued to the paper, separating them at the end of their service life becomes more difficult.
Anant points out that people often talk about eco-friendly paper while adding heavily laminated, plastic-coated, or synthetic covers. He recommends using paper or recycled covers and avoiding coatings that offer no practical benefit.
Checking durability
Sustainability concerns not only the composition but also how long the notebook remains useful. A notebook with fragile pages, poor binding, or a cover that quickly deteriorates may need replacement before fulfilling its function. The co-founder emphasizes that a notebook that falls apart mid-life and requires replacement is not particularly sustainable.
It is necessary to check the quality of the binding, the strength of the paper, and the construction. Thread binding keeps materials relatively simple, whereas a metal spiral mechanism can usually be separated from the paper before recycling. He concludes that choosing sustainability should not mean accepting a low-quality product; the ideal is a combination of eco-friendly material and a truly high-quality item.
Considering the fate after the last page
Ashutosh advises choosing products with a simple design and minimal unnecessary non-paper components. After full use of the notebook, detachable metal spirals and other separable parts should be removed if possible. Special attention should be paid to plastic lamination, glitter, foil, and heavy coatings, as some of these can hinder the recovery of paper fibers. The possibility of recycling also depends on local capabilities, so consumers should clarify what their local recycler accepts.
He concludes that the simpler the design, the easier it is overall to recover and recycle the materials. His recommendation is to use the notebook completely, separate removable parts, keep the paper clean and dry, and consult local instructions. Anant explains that recyclability depends not only on the theoretical possibility of recycling the material somewhere in the world but also on how reasonably the product is designed and whether the available recycling system can actually restore it.
Turning recycled paper into an everyday choice
For Ashutosh and Naren, these points are central to 'Rescript's' efforts to popularize recycled paper among consumers and businesses. The company's paper is made from 100% recycled raw materials and is processed without chlorine bleaching. According to published comparisons, this paper consumes approximately 50% less water and produces 37% less carbon dioxide compared to the traditional equivalent. The company holds FSC certification under license code FSC C163185.
By September 2026, the company had used over 1000 tons of recycled paper since launch. According to the company's estimates, this is equivalent to saving over 18,000 trees, preserving about four crore water bodies, and preventing emissions of approximately 13 lakh kilograms of carbon dioxide compared to producing the same amount through traditional processes using virgin paper. The company currently supplies products to private, institutional, and corporate buyers, including DMart, JP Morgan, Hero MotoCorp, LIC, and ICICI Prudential. Ashutosh believes that replacing traditional paper on a large scale can accelerate the positive impact.
He concludes his thoughts by stating that they use recycled paper because they consider it the right material choice, but the ambition is not just to create a sustainable notebook, but to create a notebook that people will choose because of its paper, texture, design, and overall experience, even if sustainability is not their main priority.
