This article originally appeared on GreenBlue's In the Loop blog, and is reprinted with permission.

Paper -- at least in a historical context -- really didn't have much to do with trees and forests until as recently as 1843. We're quick to connect paper and forests, but for the 2,000-odd years proceeding 1843, paper was derived almost exclusively from recycled textiles such as hemp, linen, and cotton.

What might be even more surprising is that in the time since papermaking from wood fiber was introduced back in 1843, only a small percentage of paper today is derived from fibers other than wood. And, 85 percent of that amount consists mostly of non-wood papers made in China. Is it because it took that long to figure out that wood is the best and most preferable source of fiber for papermaking? Probably not.

Take kenaf, for example. Kenaf is a fast-growing annual, related to cotton and okra, that many studies suggest absorbs more CO2 than trees, outcompetes most weeds, and is resistant to many pests and diseases so that it can be farmed with minimal chemical inputs. It also produces two types of fiber suitable for papermaking.

These studies also show that it is easier to pulp than wood-based fibers and therefore can be processed with less energy and water, as well as less environmentally problematical chemicals. Farmers can even rotate kenaf into production with other row crops like corn or soy.

Kenaf is also one example of what is referred to as an "alternative fiber" for papermaking. "Alternative," at least to me, is an interesting choice of words given that wood fiber would have been considered an alternative for much of paper's history. Regardless, in the present day alternative fibers are referred to as any non-wood fiber that can be used as material for paper and packaging.

These fiber materials are also called "tree-free" and consist of fiber sources grown a: 1) a primary crop (like kenaf and hemp); and, 2) agricultural residues (like wheat straw).

Proponents of alternative fibers suggest that the use of non-wood fiber for papermaking has less environmental impacts due to the cultivation, yield, and efficiency of non-wood fibers. These proponents argue that using non-wood fiber will have less impact on the forest, save trees, and divert agricultural residues from being burned. It also could help areas that can't grow trees create an industry for making paper fiber.