Jelena Stanojevic, Ars Nova – Senseless fear of recycled paper

Source: eKapija Thursday, 23.05.2019. 10:12
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A hand towel in Serbia is usually white, whereas in Slovenia it is yellowish. “Colored”, recycled paper has been pronounced harmful to health in the Serbian media. We asked Jelena Stanojevic, the director of the Belgrade-based company Ars Nova, which offers hygiene products, to explain this phenomenon.

– This is not a trend in Slovenia only. Most Western European countries use recycled paper, but only from controlled production and recycling processes, which is shown by certificates such as Eco Label, which pertain to both environmental protection and the safety of use. Personal hygiene products also need to be dermatologically tested.

eKapija: It seems that recycled paper is not popular here. Why is that?

– In our country, recycling is stigmatized, as we are not properly educated about the topic. It's important to look at the topic from all angles, to see what the advantages and the flaws of the products we use are and not to resist everything that's new. Do you think that people in Germany or Great Britain didn't have similar doubts and fears? Why have their changed their minds, using recycled paper for a very long time? Consumers in Serbia are not well informed, because there is no systematic approach to having this topic addressed properly. In developed countries, environmental protection is an unavoidable topic. These countries first implemented a system, which was then perfected, and non-compliance was penalized, while innovations and compliance were awarded. Now ecology and recycling are a part of their lifestyle and are present in architecture, fashion, auto-industry... and it is popular to say that you care about them. If cellulose is used, the minimum requirement is for it to have some certificate like PEFC or PSC, guaranteeing that, for each tree cut down, another was planted, or that the cellulose comes from trees planted for that purpose. Which in turn leads to the question why even do this when we can get cellulose from a tetra pak, while at the same reducing waste? Finally, let me remind that cellulose is not naturally white, which means that white color does not guarantee quality in a any way, but shows that there has been chemical treatment and that dyes have been applied.

eKapija: The eternal dilemma: paper towels or an electric dryer? What do users prefer and what is more cost-effective for companies? Which solution is more eco-friendly?

– Here, we're once again dealing with misconceptions, whereby dryers are believed to save money and the environment. Dryers consume power, they are expensive to procure, it takes longer to dry your hands, they require regular service and maintenance, but, above all, they are not safe. Research has confirmed that dryers do not fight bacteria, the primary reason why we wash hands in the first place. Unfortunately, there's not been an invention that addresses this problem in a more effective way than simply washing your hands and drying them with a piece of paper.


eKapija: Do we maintain hygiene well in working and public spaces, in kitchens and toilets in Serbia? Has the situation improved?

– The situation has improved, but it is still not good enough, and even if it were, we shouldn't stop improving our habits. Better hygiene means fewer sick people and, with that, savings in time and money, therefore, an easier life as well. We should take care of the hygiene for ourselves, but not just in public spaces, kitchens and toilets, because the hygiene of exterior space is important as well.

eKapija: Are companies wrong in trying to take care of the hygiene themselves, without hiring specialized companies? What would you suggest as the most economical option for small, medium and large companies?

– Regardless of the size of the company, as in many other fields, it's easier, but also more cost-effective to put someone else in charge of procuring hygiene products. Specialized companies should offer solutions adapted to the needs and the habits of clients, and the offer varies in that respect, but in all cases, professional systems, which entail the use of equipment for rationed use of consumables, protected by key from unauthorized use, help save time and money, while raising the level of hygiene.

M. R.
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