I come from the land where we don’t Really wipe our bums. This might sound a bit obnoxious to the very loyal toilet paper supporters but is not that much of a dirty business. Water is a universal solvent not paper then how did products such as toilet roll and facial tissues become necessary items in our lives? How do they affect the environment and what can we do to reduce our poop impact?
The first documented use of toilet paper dates back to the 6th century AD in early medieval China[1]. Joseph C. Gayette is recognised as the inventor of first commercial toilet paper which was sold in the USA in 1857 under his name[2]. Interestingly, prior to the vast commercialisation of toilet roll, civilisations across the globe had many ways of wiping their behinds e.g. the rich Romans used wool with rosewater, the Eskimos used snow and moss and ancient Jews are believed to have used pebbles which they carried in ‘special places’ in their bags[2].
Over half the population of the world does not use toilet roll. In many parts of the world people do not use them because of lack of trees. About 2.6 billion[3] people on our planet live without access to sanitary toilets. On the contrary, in 2005 estimated sale of toilet paper in the United States was worth $5.7 billion[3]. A shocking report by WWF states that everyday ~270,000 trees[4] are cut for the production of toilet roll, only to be flushed down the drain. Large amount of energy is used for their production and the chemicals used pollute the air and water.
This large scale deforestation has lead to huge ecosystem degradation in many parts of the world. Europe relies heavily on timber from Russia and the Baltic states for the production of toilet paper. One-third of timber logged in the north-west Russia and 50% logged in Estonia is illegal. These Illegal practises are putting native wildlife such as Amur tiger, white-backed woodpecker and Far Eastern leopard at high risk. Russia also loses about US$1 billion per year to illegal logging[5].
In developing countries such as Brazil, Chile, South Africa and Indonesia native virgin forests are being destroyed to make way for plantations to generate pulp for toilet roll production. One in four toilet rolls sold by New Zealands’ major retailers were found to come from Indonesian rainforest. Only 400 individuals[5] of critically endangered Sumatran tiger are believed to remain in the wild. Destruction of Indonesian rainforest is the biggest threat to the survival of these tigers and other species such as Orang-utans.
I am not preaching against anything after all, we humans are slaves to our habits. Use toilet roll, but with a bit more sensitivity. The recycled toilet tissue produced today is not as hard or scratchy as before so why not use it. Some studies suggest that if every household could replace just one roll of virgin toilet paper with 100% recycled paper, thousands of trees could be saved[6]. Many brands use misleading recycling claims on their toilet roll packages, read carefully before buying. While buying non-recyclable product choose products with a FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) label on them. This label is given to products which come from forests managed to high environmental and social standards. While buying, avoid a shiny white roll. The whiter it is, higher are the possibilities of it being heavily bleached or to be made from virgin wood pulp.
Personally I think water is the best choice. A bit of water a bit of roll can ensure your cleanliness. Let us not be blinded by consumerism. Be aware, be sensitive, take action and think next time you go take your morning dump.
References
[1] Needham, J. Science and Civilisation in China. 5 (1). Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
[2] Toilet paper. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toilet_paper
[3] Worldwatch Institute. Matter of Scale-Into the Toilet. http://www.worldwatch.org/node/5142, 2007
[4] WWF. Don’t flush forests down the toilet. http://wwf.panda.org/how_you_can_help/live_green/out_shopping/tissue_issues/
[5] WWF. Do you know where your tissue comes from. http://wwf.panda.org/how_you_can_help/live_green/out_shopping/tissue_issues/facts/
[6] Toilet Paper Fun Facts. http://www.toiletpaperhistory.net/toilet-paper-facts/toilet-paper-fun-facts/
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