Why we stopped making Notepads

A quick kōrero about a change we actually made 2 years ago, but people are  noticing now as the stock ends and you see we have not replaced, and have no intention to.  It is a good time to share some updates about our journey towards sustainability and how we're evolving to better care for Papatūānuku.

Moving Away from Tear-Off Notepads

Many of you have loved our tear-off notepads, the “Mahia te mahi” To do pads. They've been a staple in our collection, and we've appreciated your support. However, as we've deepened our commitment to sustainable stationery, we've recognized that these single-use items contribute to unnecessary waste.

It's easy to jot down a note, tear off the page, and toss it without recycling, which isn't eco-friendly. Studies show that producing just one sheet of non-recycled paper releases about 0.02 kg of CO₂ into the atmosphere.  When these pages aren't recycled, it adds up, increasing our carbon footprint.

Embracing Sustainable Stationery

At Tuhi, we're all about "making things that matter." This means creating eco-friendly office supplies that are both beautiful and sustainable, that you'll cherish and want to keep or share

Here's how we're doing that:

• Eco-Friendly Materials: We use recycled and FSC-certified papers and soy or vegetable based inks, ensuring our products are responsibly sourced and have a minimal environmental impact.

• Durable Designs: Our notebooks, journals and other items are crafted to last, encouraging reuse and reducing the need for disposable alternatives.

• Improving our Practices: By designing products double sided and standard sizing to reduce waste, recyclable packaging and a conscious decision not to add unnecessary packaging just for ‘insta unboxing purposes’ paying into the Planet programme monthly to offset our emissions and also repurposing all of our stock packaging.

About Our PU Leather Covers

A small number of our planners have PU (polyurethane) leather covers. PU leather is a synthetic material designed to mimic real leather. While it's more animal-friendly, it's not biodegradable and can persist in the environment for a long time.  However, it's considered more recyclable than other synthetic leathers, making it a relatively greener choice.  We're continuously exploring better materials to enhance the sustainability of our products, yet still deliver stylish durable products people love.

Introducing Digital Planners

We're excited to announce that we're currently testing digital planners designed to sync seamlessly with your Google Calendar. These digital planning tools offer an eco-friendly alternative for our tech-savvy customers, helping to reduce paper waste while keeping you organized. We hope to have the 2025 Monthly & Weekly Planner available in digital format before the end of 2024.

Join Us on Our Sustainable Journey

We understand that change can be challenging, especially when it involves products you've come to love. Our decision to discontinue tear-off notepads is a step towards offering more sustainable office solutions. We invite you to join us in embracing these eco-conscious choices, knowing that together, we can make a positive impact on our planet.

Ngā mihi nui,

The Tuhi Team