Energy Drink for Bees, Courtesy of Paper

Can a piece of paper feed tired bees?

The innovators behind Bee Saving Paper believe so. The concept is simple, yet brilliant. So simple and so genius, in fact, that after I read about it, I was left wondering: How come we’re not already using this on a large scale?

Here’s how bee saving paper works:

+ This fully biodegradable paper is infused with energy-rich glucose that is delicious for bees, yet keeps the paper suitable for everyday use – in other words, it won’t stick to your fingers. This kind of sugar is already used by beekeepers as nourishment for their hives throughout winter.

+ The paper can be turned into business cards, paper bags, take out plates, coffee cup sleeves, concert tickets, clothes labels, and whatever else your imagination desires. Currently, all of these single-use items are usually headed for the landfill after only a few minutes of utility, a practice that’s both wasteful and environmentally hazardous.

+ But once the items made of bee saving paper are no longer needed, they can be used as energy drink for bees. For example, you could place the paper bag in your garden, or set the business card in a flower pot on your balcony. The paper will attract bees due to its water-based UV paint which has been applied in patterns that bees see as a meadow. (More about how bees see UV this way.)

+ Once the bees find the paper, they can feast on the glucose, and gather up some energy for the road. What’s left behind is another bee favorite: Lacy Phacelia seeds (purple tansy), one of the most attractive plants for insects. The paper is fully biodegradable, so you won’t be left with litter that needs to be cleaned.

The bee saving paper is currently working with corporate partners to make

This project came together as a collaboration between Saatchi & Saatchi IS Warsaw and City Bees, an organization that advocates for the well-being and protection of bees in urban communities.