The verdict
Is The A5 Notebook worth it?
Yes — The A5 Notebook is one of the stronger picks we track in office & stationery. It holds 2 verified certifications (B Corp, Cradle to Cradle). Priced in the $$$ band.
- Cruelty-freeUnverified
- VeganUnverified
- Plastic-free packagingUnverified
- Recyclable / compostableUnverified
- Palm-oil safeUnverified
- Certified organicUnverified
- Fair labourYes
Karst
The A5 Notebook
Ethics Score
Composite of certifications, ingredient analysis, and sustainability practices.
Certifications
Buy From
* Affiliate links help support EthiCompare's mission.
Customer Rating
Best for
Outdoor enthusiasts, messy coffee drinkers, and professionals wanting a premium, tree-free experience.
AI Ethics Review
Revolutionary 'stone paper' notebooks made without water, trees, or bleach, providing a waterproof and tear-resistant writing surface.
Gallery
Claim-by-claim check
The questions shoppers ask most about The A5 Notebook, answered from certifications, tags and sourcing notes on file.
- Is The A5 Notebook cruelty-free?
- Unverified — no third-party cruelty-free certification is recorded for The A5 Notebook in our database.
- Is The A5 Notebook vegan?
- Unverified — The A5 Notebook has no certified vegan claim on file; check the ingredient notes below.
- Is The A5 Notebook plastic-free?
- Unverified — we have no plastic-free packaging claim on record for The A5 Notebook.
- Is The A5 Notebook recyclable or compostable?
- Unverified — end-of-life handling for The A5 Notebook is not documented in our data.
- Does The A5 Notebook avoid problem palm oil?
- Unverified — no palm-oil policy is recorded for The A5 Notebook.
- Is The A5 Notebook certified organic?
- Unverified — no organic certification is on file for The A5 Notebook.
- Is The A5 Notebook fairly made?
- Yes — The A5 Notebook is backed by a labour or fair-trade standard.
Ethics Breakdown
Each pillar is independently scored from public certifications, ingredient/material sourcing, and brand disclosures, then averaged into the composite Ethics Score above.
How it compares in Office & Stationery
Benchmarked against 3 other published products in the same category.
0%
of compared products score lower
-2
points vs the category average
2
verified certifications on file
In-Depth Review
A New Paradigm: Paper Made from Stone
Karst has disrupted the traditional paper industry by eliminating the need for timber altogether. Their A5 Notebook is crafted from repurposed calcium carbonate—essentially waste marble and limestone collected from construction sites and quarries. This stone is ground into a fine powder and bonded with a non-toxic resin to create a surface that is strikingly smooth and significantly more durable than wood-pulp paper. Because the process avoids trees, it also avoids the intensive water usage and chemical bleaching typically required for pulp production.
The Performance of Stone Paper
One of the most remarkable features of Karst paper is its naturally waterproof and friction-free nature. Pens glide across the surface with zero drag, and accidents like coffee spills can be wiped away without damaging your notes. The paper is also difficult to tear, making it an excellent choice for archival records or outdoor journaling. Despite these 'plastic-like' qualities, the stone paper is Cradle to Cradle certified, meaning it is designed with a circular economy in mind.
The manufacturing facility is powered by solar energy, and the company is a certified B Corp, meeting the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance. Karst also partners with One Tree Planted, ensuring that while they don't use trees, they actively contribute to global reforestation efforts. Below is a comparison of their environmental metrics:
| Impact Category | Traditional Paper | Karst Stone Paper |
|---|---|---|
| Water Used | High | Zero |
| Trees Cut | ~18 per ton | Zero |
| CO2 Emissions | High | Low (Solar Powered) |
The aesthetic of the Karst notebook is minimalist and professional, featuring a vegan leather hardcover and an expandable back pocket. It serves as a reminder that luxury and high performance do not need to come at the expense of the ecosystem.
"We didn't just want to make a better notebook; we wanted to make a notebook that shouldn't exist according to old rules."
- Waterproof and tear-resistant pages.
- No trees, water, or bleach used in production.
- Acid-free and bright white without chemical additives.
- B Corp Certified and Climate Neutral.
Pros
- ✓Completely waterproof
- ✓Incredibly smooth writing feel
- ✓No trees or water used
Cons
- ✗Slow ink drying time
- ✗Heavier than standard notebooks
Key Facts
- Brand
- Karst
- Category
- Office & Stationery
- Ethics Score
- 94/100
- Price Range
- $$$ (≈ $35)
- Avg Rating
- 4.6/5 (1250 reviews)
- Cover
- Vegan Leather
- Weight
- 120 gsm
- Material
- Calcium Carbonate (Stone)
- Dimensions
- 148 x 210 mm (A5)
- Sheet Count
- 144 Pages
- Certifications
- B Corp, Cradle to Cradle
🌱 Sustainability
Saves 18 trees per ton of paper; 100% solar powered manufacturing; carbon neutral shipping.
🧪 Ingredients & Materials
80-90% calcium carbonate (waste stone) bonded with HDPE resin.
Price & where to buy
Typically around $35 — prices change often, so check the live listing.
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects the ethics score.
What Reviewers Say
"The smoothest paper I have ever touched. It feels like silk."
"Great for hiking, I don't worry about the rain ruining my sketches."
"Gel pens take forever to dry, stay with ballpoint."
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The A5 Notebook by Karst ethically made?+
Yes. The A5 Notebook earns an EthiCompare ethics score of 94/100, backed by third-party certifications including B Corp, Cradle to Cradle. Revolutionary 'stone paper' notebooks made without water, trees, or bleach, providing a waterproof and tear-resistant writing surface.
Is The A5 Notebook worth buying?+
The A5 Notebook scores 94/100 on our ethics rating. That puts it in the upper band of the products we track, so it is a defensible buy on ethics grounds.
Is The A5 Notebook cruelty-free?+
We have not verified a third-party cruelty-free certification for The A5 Notebook. See our Karst verdict page for the brand's full animal-testing position.
Is The A5 Notebook vegan?+
The A5 Notebook does not carry a certified vegan claim in our database. Check the ingredient notes above and the brand's own disclosure before buying.
What are the best alternatives to The A5 Notebook?+
We list higher-scoring office & stationery products from other brands on this page, and a full set of ethical alternatives to Karst on its alternatives page.
What certifications does The A5 Notebook hold?+
The A5 Notebook holds the following certifications: B Corp, Cradle to Cradle. These independent verifications cover sourcing, animal welfare, environmental impact, and ingredient safety.
How sustainable is The A5 Notebook?+
Saves 18 trees per ton of paper; 100% solar powered manufacturing; carbon neutral shipping.
What are the key ingredients or materials in The A5 Notebook?+
80-90% calcium carbonate (waste stone) bonded with HDPE resin.
How much does The A5 Notebook cost?+
The A5 Notebook is priced in the $$$ range for office & stationery. Visit the retailer links above for current pricing.
Where can I buy The A5 Notebook?+
The A5 Notebook is available from the brand's official website and major retailers. The product page above lists every verified retailer we track.
Is The A5 Notebook plastic-free?+
Unverified — we have no plastic-free packaging claim on record for The A5 Notebook.
Is The A5 Notebook recyclable or compostable?+
Unverified — end-of-life handling for The A5 Notebook is not documented in our data.
Does The A5 Notebook avoid problem palm oil?+
Unverified — no palm-oil policy is recorded for The A5 Notebook.
Is The A5 Notebook certified organic?+
Unverified — no organic certification is on file for The A5 Notebook.
Is The A5 Notebook fairly made?+
Yes — The A5 Notebook is backed by a labour or fair-trade standard.
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