Over the course of her career, Neha Kaul has always been struck by the amount of waste that goes on in the office environment. Having lived in Dubai for 14 years and been employed as a marketing professional across a range of industries, she has often witnessed first-hand how resources are routinely squandered. "Paper waste is one of the largest areas of waste I have encountered in my professional career," she says. "It really used to irk me."
So she was always the first to offer to run office recycling campaigns and, in fits of frustration, used to staple sheets of used paper together to create recycled notepads for herself and her colleagues.
Then, a year ago, she decided to take things one step further by launching Paper Spice, a company that sells stationery, home accessories and jewellery made out of recycled paper and other natural materials. In addition to its eco-credentials, the venture is also a socially responsible one, since all of its products are sourced in India and made by women living in rural communities.
With Paper Spice's colourful and quirky creations, Neha is hoping to challenge commonly held misconceptions about sustainable products. "Our aim is to change the perception of eco-friendly as either crude and rustic or super-expensive. We are bringing products to the region that are handmade, created out of waste paper, cotton, herbs and leaves, but are still extremely chic, fashionable, user-friendly, durable and affordable.
"I feel that over the years we have all been exposed to enough truths and have become more aware about where the planet is headed. Sensitivity to ecological depletion and conservation has been heightened. There is definitely a growing market for such products as more and more people realise that going green is becoming less an option and more a necessity. My partner and I aim to promote a variety of eco-friendly lifestyle products in the region, while also balancing our goal of supporting employment, especially for rural women," she explains.
These women are playing a fundamental role in the evolution of the concept - as crafters and budding designers, but also as an invaluable source of information about locally available materials. "Working with these rural women has actually been an eye-opening experience," says Neha. "Their enthusiasm for working with something new and their knowledge of nature is awe-inspiring. Since our project only uses leaves that fall naturally, these women create teams that know when and how to gather leaves and what colours to pick, from the rusty browns to the pale greens.
"They quickly rattle off the botanical names of the various trees and shrubs which are used in creating our leaf imprint range, from the large teak leaves to the tall and slender cypress. Many of them now head the various divisions, including quality check, where the reject pile demonstrates their keen eye for detail."
Today, the portfolio of products offered by Paper Spice contains everything from eco-art, bowls and pots to earrings, necklaces and stools. But the story started with stationery. The first products to be created out of recycled paper were notebooks, cards and gift tags - simple creations that were bound and sewed together by hand using cotton threads.
"Interestingly, since the workshop follows a zero-waste philosophy, the girls involved in making the notebooks started innovating with cuts of paper that were waste from the notebooks. That is how our first earring was born. Since then, every new innovation, including that first earring, is named after the woman who created it."
There are now more than 70 jewellery designs on offer, ranging from chunky bracelets in striking shades of orange, purple and turquoise to dainty earrings in a similarly arresting palette of colours. They come in all shapes, sizes and designs, but are all bright, unique and beautifully made.
Next came the home accessories, which actually meant taking a step back, says Neha. "It involved looking beyond recycled paper sheets to creating something with the pulp. This is when the coojas, pots, bowls and urns were born, over an extended period of design, trial and development, of course. The larger home decor and art items have been a result of this process of using paper and cotton pulp, adding colour and glue, and pasting it on top of varied moulds to create exotic crafts. In this decor series, a stunning culmination of art and utility comes in the form of our paper stools, which are reinforced to take 150 kilograms of weight and are available in a stunning range of 40 shades and suitable both for office and home use."
Coming up next are jewellery, bowls, trays, table mats and purses made out of newspaper, as well as jewellery made out of natural seeds and table mats created from leaves. Because paper is such a malleable material and can be shaped into so many different forms, the potential for recycled paper goods is unlimited, says Neha. The only challenge is the amount of time that it takes to create each item.
"Like anything handmade and anything creative, it requires patience, time, a diligent eye for detail and nimble finger work. To produce a sheet of paper, from collecting leaves to final calendaring, takes three days. And since the objects are intricate with a very high quality finish, the process of creation cannot be hurried to mass-produce in high numbers. But we take this challenge in our stride.
"We are in no hurry to get anywhere, and we believe that something which is created with patience and time and love is truly a masterpiece that stands out from its mass-produced counterparts."
Paper Spice products will be showcased as part of an Indian art exhibition taking place at Pro Art Gallery, Palm Strip Mall, Jumeirah Beach Road, from May 15 to June 15
Where to buy it
O'de Rose Al Wasl Road
Majlis Gallery Bastakiya
Wud Events and Flowers Al Wasl Road
Art House Dubai Al Wasl Road
Private home showings Visit www.paper-spice.com for more details and to make arrangements.
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Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
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%3Cp%3EAverage%20amount%20of%20biofuel%20produced%20at%20DIC%20factory%20every%20month%3A%20%3Cstrong%3EApproximately%20106%2C000%20litres%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAmount%20of%20biofuel%20produced%20from%201%20litre%20of%20used%20cooking%20oil%3A%20%3Cstrong%3E920ml%20(92%25)%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ETime%20required%20for%20one%20full%20cycle%20of%20production%20from%20used%20cooking%20oil%20to%20biofuel%3A%20%3Cstrong%3EOne%20day%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EEnergy%20requirements%20for%20one%20cycle%20of%20production%20from%201%2C000%20litres%20of%20used%20cooking%20oil%3A%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%96%AA%20Electricity%20-%201.1904%20units%3Cbr%3E%E2%96%AA%20Water-%2031%20litres%3Cbr%3E%E2%96%AA%20Diesel%20%E2%80%93%2026.275%20litres%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Dubai World Cup factbox
Most wins by a trainer: Godolphin’s Saeed bin Suroor(9)
Most wins by a jockey: Jerry Bailey(4)
Most wins by an owner: Godolphin(9)
Most wins by a horse: Godolphin’s Thunder Snow(2)
Company%20Profile
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THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre V6
Power: 295hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 355Nm at 5,200rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.7L/100km
Price: Dh179,999-plus
On sale: now
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Tips on buying property during a pandemic
Islay Robinson, group chief executive of mortgage broker Enness Global, offers his advice on buying property in today's market.
While many have been quick to call a market collapse, this simply isn’t what we’re seeing on the ground. Many pockets of the global property market, including London and the UAE, continue to be compelling locations to invest in real estate.
While an air of uncertainty remains, the outlook is far better than anyone could have predicted. However, it is still important to consider the wider threat posed by Covid-19 when buying bricks and mortar.
Anything with outside space, gardens and private entrances is a must and these property features will see your investment keep its value should the pandemic drag on. In contrast, flats and particularly high-rise developments are falling in popularity and investors should avoid them at all costs.
Attractive investment property can be hard to find amid strong demand and heightened buyer activity. When you do find one, be prepared to move hard and fast to secure it. If you have your finances in order, this shouldn’t be an issue.
Lenders continue to lend and rates remain at an all-time low, so utilise this. There is no point in tying up cash when you can keep this liquidity to maximise other opportunities.
Keep your head and, as always when investing, take the long-term view. External factors such as coronavirus or Brexit will present challenges in the short-term, but the long-term outlook remains strong.
Finally, keep an eye on your currency. Whenever currency fluctuations favour foreign buyers, you can bet that demand will increase, as they act to secure what is essentially a discounted property.
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
The Outsider
Stephen King, Penguin
Find the right policy for you
Don’t wait until the week you fly to sign up for insurance – get it when you book your trip. Insurance covers you for cancellation and anything else that can go wrong before you leave.
Some insurers, such as World Nomads, allow you to book once you are travelling – but, as Mr Mohammed found out, pre-existing medical conditions are not covered.
Check your credit card before booking insurance to see if you have any travel insurance as a benefit – most UAE banks, such as Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, have cards that throw in insurance as part of their package. But read the fine print – they may only cover emergencies while you’re travelling, not cancellation before a trip.
Pre-existing medical conditions such as a heart condition, diabetes, epilepsy and even asthma may not be included as standard. Again, check the terms, exclusions and limitations of any insurance carefully.
If you want trip cancellation or curtailment, baggage loss or delay covered, you may need a higher-grade plan, says Ambareen Musa of Souqalmal.com. Decide how much coverage you need for emergency medical expenses or personal liability. Premium insurance packages give up to $1 million (Dh3.7m) in each category, Ms Musa adds.
Don’t wait for days to call your insurer if you need to make a claim. You may be required to notify them within 72 hours. Gather together all receipts, emails and reports to prove that you paid for something, that you didn’t use it and that you did not get reimbursed.
Finally, consider optional extras you may need, says Sarah Pickford of Travel Counsellors, such as a winter sports holiday. Also ensure all individuals can travel independently on that cover, she adds. And remember: “Cheap isn’t necessarily best.”
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Three ways to boost your credit score
Marwan Lutfi says the core fundamentals that drive better payment behaviour and can improve your credit score are:
1. Make sure you make your payments on time;
2. Limit the number of products you borrow on: the more loans and credit cards you have, the more it will affect your credit score;
3. Don't max out all your debts: how much you maximise those credit facilities will have an impact. If you have five credit cards and utilise 90 per cent of that credit, it will negatively affect your score.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Essentials
The flights
Etihad (etihad.ae) and flydubai (flydubai.com) fly direct to Baku three times a week from Dh1,250 return, including taxes.
The stay
A seven-night “Fundamental Detox” programme at the Chenot Palace (chenotpalace.com/en) costs from €3,000 (Dh13,197) per person, including taxes, accommodation, 3 medical consultations, 2 nutritional consultations, a detox diet, a body composition analysis, a bio-energetic check-up, four Chenot bio-energetic treatments, six Chenot energetic massages, six hydro-aromatherapy treatments, six phyto-mud treatments, six hydro-jet treatments and access to the gym, indoor pool, sauna and steam room. Additional tests and treatments cost extra.
