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Telecom company to run trial of wheat straw paper

Sprint will test the use of paper made from wheat straw in a two-month pilot project, a company executive said recently during the Sustainable Brands conference. According to a report in the guardian newspaper on June 4, explained that Sprint…

Sprint will test the use of paper made from wheat straw in a two-month pilot project, a company executive said recently during the Sustainable Brands conference. According to a report in the guardian newspaper on June 4, explained that Sprint is seeking an alternative to wood-based paper.

“Wheat straw is ready for prime time. Hopefully we will pave the way for creating national demand,” said Keanon Swan, manager of strategic partner relationships and postal alliance at Sprint, according to the Guardian story.

Sprint is buying 20 rolls of papers through Prairie Papers for its pilot project. The paper is made of 80% wheat straw and 20% wood fiber. For the pilot project, Sprint is planning to send out about 2.5 million notices over August and September, Swan said.

The project will use wheat straws and paper made in India, but Sprint wants to buy the products from within the U.S., Swan said. Buying local would reduce the cost and the carbon footprint of shipping paper Asia.