A School Business Project Making Eco-Paper from Reed
Reed paper solves several problems at once: it helps clean water bodies, reduces the need
to cut down trees, and offers
a cleaner production process.
The technology uses only
one chemical reagent.
to cut down trees, and offers
a cleaner production process.
The technology uses only
one chemical reagent.
Every year, around 130 million trees are cut down worldwide for paper production. But paper does not have to be made only from wood. It can also be produced from more sustainable materials – grass, leaves, and reed.
This is exactly what inspired our Science teacher, Natalia Grom, several years ago, when she was still living and working in Belarus. She began experimenting with paper made from reed and created the project Papernik.
Reed was chosen for a reason. It is accessible, renewable, and at the same time often problematic for local ecosystems. Removing reed from water areas can help clean them without harming nature.
This is exactly what inspired our Science teacher, Natalia Grom, several years ago, when she was still living and working in Belarus. She began experimenting with paper made from reed and created the project Papernik.
Reed was chosen for a reason. It is accessible, renewable, and at the same time often problematic for local ecosystems. Removing reed from water areas can help clean them without harming nature.
The process is simple enough for students to take part in. Under Natalia’s guidance, children learn how to make paper themselves – step by step, from raw material to finished product.
At the same time, the final material is strong and practical. It can be used to make postcards, packaging, boxes, bags, notebooks, magnets, and even printed on with a regular printer. Each item has its own texture and character. It is not just paper – it is a product with a story and a purpose.
At the same time, the final material is strong and practical. It can be used to make postcards, packaging, boxes, bags, notebooks, magnets, and even printed on with a regular printer. Each item has its own texture and character. It is not just paper – it is a product with a story and a purpose.
A New Life for Papernik in Lithuania
In Lithuania, Papernik has entered a new stage. Together with students, Natalia began developing it as a real school business project.
In August 2025, Papernik joined Junior Achievement –
a programme that supports school entrepreneurship initiatives –
and was officially registered as a student business company.
Today, five Stembridge students from Grades 5 to 8 are officially part of the Papernik company. For them, this is not just a game, but a real model of how a business works.
The company receives documentation and must keep track of expenses, income, profit, and financial planning. Each participant buys shares in the company – at least two shares. One share costs €5, which means students invest their own money into the project.
Through Papernik, students can also earn money: by taking part in fairs, selling products, and running workshops. The profit is then distributed among the company members.
a programme that supports school entrepreneurship initiatives –
and was officially registered as a student business company.
Today, five Stembridge students from Grades 5 to 8 are officially part of the Papernik company. For them, this is not just a game, but a real model of how a business works.
The company receives documentation and must keep track of expenses, income, profit, and financial planning. Each participant buys shares in the company – at least two shares. One share costs €5, which means students invest their own money into the project.
Through Papernik, students can also earn money: by taking part in fairs, selling products, and running workshops. The profit is then distributed among the company members.
Events and Exhibitions
Papernik regularly takes part in events and competitions supported by Junior Achievement.
In December 2025, the project participated in the Christmas exhibition of student business companies at Litexpo.
In April 2026, Papernik took part in the Junior Achievement regional fair in Vilnius.
At its stands, Papernik presents postcards, sheets of handmade paper, magnets, notebooks, and packaging samples. The products always attract strong interest from visitors.
Papernik remains a unique project, and we sincerely believe in its future.
In December 2025, the project participated in the Christmas exhibition of student business companies at Litexpo.
In April 2026, Papernik took part in the Junior Achievement regional fair in Vilnius.
At its stands, Papernik presents postcards, sheets of handmade paper, magnets, notebooks, and packaging samples. The products always attract strong interest from visitors.
Papernik remains a unique project, and we sincerely believe in its future.
About Junior Achievement
Junior Achievement is an international educational organisation operating in Lithuania. It teaches students the basics of entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and economics through practice.
As part of the programme, students can create student companies, produce and sell goods, take part in fairs and competitions, keep financial records, and earn real money.
As part of the programme, students can create student companies, produce and sell goods, take part in fairs and competitions, keep financial records, and earn real money.
About
Natalia Grom
Natalia Grom
Science Teacher
Natalia graduated from Belarusian State University, Faculty of Biology, and Minsk State Linguistic University, where she completed a professional development and retraining programme.
She taught English, biology, and chemistry at school for 19 years. Natalia is an active participant in school research and environmental grant projects and the author of publications in the scientific-methodological journal Biology and Chemistry.
Natalia graduated from Belarusian State University, Faculty of Biology, and Minsk State Linguistic University, where she completed a professional development and retraining programme.
She taught English, biology, and chemistry at school for 19 years. Natalia is an active participant in school research and environmental grant projects and the author of publications in the scientific-methodological journal Biology and Chemistry.