Mark Bologna preparing his raw
material

 

JOHNSON TAI

 

Consumers in BC often hear the cries of
forest companies to increase the amount of
annual allowable cut or company towns’
requests to bail out their mills. Many
pundits blame the economic downturn on
the NDP government, while others shrug it
off as simply part of the economic cycle.
However, Mark Bologna, owner of Green
Man Nonwood Paper Mill, points out the
problem is rooted much deeper.

“We started to make paper out of trees

Green Man Nonwood Paper Mill special-
izes in tree-free stationeries with flax, hemp
and cotton as raw material. Bologna also pulps
bits of scrap paper from publishers to pro-
duce hand made papers.

The process is very ancient and simple, he
said. First, pulp is made from the thin outer
layer of the stalk of a variety of plants.
Second, a screen is dipped into the thick solu-
tion and evenly lifted out of it. Third, excess
water is drained off and the wet sheet of fibre
is flipped onto a piece of chamois. Lastly, the
stack of alternating paper and cloth is pressed

Reviving tradition and the Canadian economy

Cree-free paper-maker

ets of waste paper waiting to be transformed
into highly stylized paper. There are also a few
large bags full of a variety of grasses on the
shelves. A well-used mountain bike leans
against a storage case. Clusters of green plants
sit next to the windows, bathing in the Sunday
afternoon sun

“More education is what we need. It takes
three or four repetitions to get the message
across to people. It takes time for people to
really realize paper doesn't have to be made
out of trees,’ said Bologna, hammering home
his message.

only very recently. We thought there was a

All photos by Johnson Tai to drain further and let dry. :
SURE “T add coloured

paper bits, tea leaves

plentiful

    

 

supply of
forests.
Now,

industries

and pine needles to give
character to [the
paper]. I don’t think I

have real-
ee am one but some peo-

ized these

sis art ple say I am an

artist, said Bologna,
are running

 

with a modest smile.
at less than

90%
capacity
and are los-
ing money.
These mills
are so big,
they need to operate at 100% to be profitable.

Industries blame government red tape and

The one-man paper
mill is unlikely to save
the world, but Bologna

believes it makes a revo- Bizgaes

  

lutionary contribution
to both the environ-
ment and the economy.

 

Green Man shows off his finished product

“We need to start treating our forests as

ecosystems. We need to realize our forests are

demand more supply of logs. In fact, the giant worth more in the ground. And we need to be

mills with outdated technology and dependen- wuiche-dezs waste tena

. . . . ” %
cy on wood are just running into reality,” said

In his modest-sized studio, there are buck-
Bologna.

 

GREENMAN NONWOODS PAPER MILL

THE GREENMAN PAPER MILL is your source
for the most environmentally conscious
papers available today. We supply only
tree free papers and products including
hemp, flax, cotton, kenaf and more!

Ideal quality papers for resumes, thesisses,
special presentations and business cards. Inkjet, laser, pho-
tocopier compatible. Six different colours to choose from.

 

10% OFF
all entrees
for all Students,
Faculty & Staff
of Douglas College

Handmade journals, pocket joumals, sketchbooks, pads and more
are also available and make unique gifts that don't cost the earth.
Order yours today in time for Christmas. Shipping service available.

 

Visit our booth at the Natural Life Expo
on Sept 7th at Douglas College.
Live papermaking demonstrations all day.

Come down and make your own paper and

learn about papermaking with tree-free fibres!
50—8th Street, 2J - 138 West SIXTH AVENUE
New Westminster VANCOUVER. BC. V8Y 1K6
PH: (604) 708-4403 e Fx: (604) 708-4425
GREENMAN@LYNX.BU.CA

604.524.9788

 

 

 

 

Disagree with Devil's Advocate? Hate Reverend Tom?

Have an opinion on someone elses opinion?
Write it down aad send it te the OP

Room 1620 Kew West campus or

A3167 David Lam campus or E-mail
submit@ep.deuglas.bc.ca

You can't wait to write us your opinion
We can't wait to tell you you're wrong!

   

 

The Other Press November 41998 Page 9