livius drusus
07-28-2004, 09:13 PM
This is old news apparently, because the prime minister of Sri Lanka gave the GW Bushes a gift of personalized stationary 2 years ago made from elephant shit, but I'd never heard of it until I read this (http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200407/s1162368.htm). The company which made the Presidential stationary, Maximus (http://www.ecomaximus.com/who_we_are.htm), has a great mission statement:
Despite being registered as a Limited Liability Company, our company objectives and mission are very clear. At Maximus we strive to enhance conservation and as a result make it profitable and sustainable. The stakeholder theory is adhered to and influences business thinking, our key stakeholder is the Elephant. In other words, the foundation on which Maximus rests is based Conservation, primarily that of the Sri Lanka elephant.
Maximus aim to use the “Elephant Dung” paper to create and then further raise awareness to the tragic circumstances that surround the Sri Lankan Elephant. We are also developing strategies aimed at improving the socio – economic situation that currently restricts under privileged people living in rural areas. Conflict between man and wild elephants over land are severely detrimental to both. Our vision is to bring these two together by implementing Project “Peace Paper”. In conflict areas we hope to create autonomous and self-sustaining re-cycling plants that make Elephant dung paper from wild elephant dung. This we hope will create a mutual and beneficial relationship between man and beast rather than the conflicts that currently exist.
As someone with an avowed stationary and pen fetish, I think it's a great, great thing. The ecological and social network Maximus seeks to build is creative, targeted local action. At the same time, the product is so curious they're garnering world-wide attention. I dig the hell out of this and fully intend to put elephant dung paper all over my Christmas list. Which I will write on elephant dung paper. After having found just the right pen.
On a side note can I just say that politicians get the coolest damn presents. Lucky, lucky bastards.
In July 2002 on a visit to the US, Sri Lanka's then premier Ranil Wickremesinghe gave Mr Bush a box of gold-monogrammed dung writing paper, envelopes and name cards.
He elected the more delicate bougainvillea paper stationery for Mrs Bush.
Mr Powell received a spicy variety of cinnamon and banana-recycled paper.
Despite being registered as a Limited Liability Company, our company objectives and mission are very clear. At Maximus we strive to enhance conservation and as a result make it profitable and sustainable. The stakeholder theory is adhered to and influences business thinking, our key stakeholder is the Elephant. In other words, the foundation on which Maximus rests is based Conservation, primarily that of the Sri Lanka elephant.
Maximus aim to use the “Elephant Dung” paper to create and then further raise awareness to the tragic circumstances that surround the Sri Lankan Elephant. We are also developing strategies aimed at improving the socio – economic situation that currently restricts under privileged people living in rural areas. Conflict between man and wild elephants over land are severely detrimental to both. Our vision is to bring these two together by implementing Project “Peace Paper”. In conflict areas we hope to create autonomous and self-sustaining re-cycling plants that make Elephant dung paper from wild elephant dung. This we hope will create a mutual and beneficial relationship between man and beast rather than the conflicts that currently exist.
As someone with an avowed stationary and pen fetish, I think it's a great, great thing. The ecological and social network Maximus seeks to build is creative, targeted local action. At the same time, the product is so curious they're garnering world-wide attention. I dig the hell out of this and fully intend to put elephant dung paper all over my Christmas list. Which I will write on elephant dung paper. After having found just the right pen.
On a side note can I just say that politicians get the coolest damn presents. Lucky, lucky bastards.
In July 2002 on a visit to the US, Sri Lanka's then premier Ranil Wickremesinghe gave Mr Bush a box of gold-monogrammed dung writing paper, envelopes and name cards.
He elected the more delicate bougainvillea paper stationery for Mrs Bush.
Mr Powell received a spicy variety of cinnamon and banana-recycled paper.