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BIZ Profile: Botanical PaperWorks

Botanical PaperWorks

Where: East Exchange – 111 Pacific Ave.
Staff: 45
In the Exchange District since 2008

The Work

Botanical PaperWorks co-founder and CEO Heidi Reimer-Epp

Botanical PaperWorks makes thousands of eco-friendly paper products, all with a seed paper component. Their seed paper is made with post-consumer material, meaning that no new fibers are used in the production of this paper. When the paper itself is planted, it composts away leaving only wildflowers, herbs, or vegetables… and no waste!

Seeds of Success

When Heidi Reimer-Epp first started out, she and the company’s co-founder – her mom, Mary – made paper in the basement of the family home.

Continued Growth

Today, the company’s plantable paper is made in the Exchange District at 111 Pacific Ave. From there it’s shipped to customers around the world, from Aruba to the United Arab Emirates.

Botanical PaperWorks is both the manufacturer of plantable paper and the designer and printer of plantable paper products.

Products include blank seed paper sheets for printing made with wildflower, herb or vegetable seeds; envelopes; biodegradable confetti; wedding stationery; promotional products for businesses; memorial products; eco-friendly packaging and event products.

In the 11 years they have been at the East Exchange location, the company has tripled its floor space, most recently expanding next door when the space became available this past summer. 

The new space was formerly Blue Moon Furniture and a home to the Costume Museum of Canada and the Manitoba Children’s Museum. 

Eco-value in the Exchange

Seed paper is made from post-consumer material that is infused with seeds in the pulping process.

Choosing to locate a manufacturing business in the Exchange was practical and fits with the company’s values, said Reimer-Epp. As a business with an ecological focus intent on reducing its carbon footprint, having a location that is central for team members is important, she said.

Most industrial parks are not easy to reach by bus, said Reimer-Epp – and they aren’t in areas that provide an interesting or cool factor the Exchange delivers.

Sprouting up Nearby

As the company has grown, they have also seen the East Exchange grow as well, with additional restaurants and fitness facilities many of the company’s 45 employees enjoy.

On their first day, new employees will find a gift certificate for nearby Joe and Lily in their welcome package. They have also booked Nonsuch Brewing Company for their strategic planning sessions. 

Team members take walking meetings at nearby Stephen Juba Park, a location they have also put to use for company lunches and for product photo shoots.

Visit Botanical Paperworks to learn more about all their products.

Walking meeting on the Waterfront.
Expansion into new space in the East Exchange.

Interested in learning more about eco-friendly businesses in the Exchange? You may also like: BIZ Profile Emerge Knowledge