How to save Money & the Planet with Zero Waste Toilet Paper?
All our zero-waste, sustainable living attempts seem to fumble a bit when it comes to this – the toilet. Yes, toilet paper is the ultimate single-use item that is also essential to our way of life — or is it? Well, it certainly is the unsung hero of our time. Its value was mainly unnoticed until its 5 seconds of fame in Spring 2020, when the shortage of it sent across waves of worry.
However, the fact is that toilet paper stinks a little. Americans are the world’s greatest toilet paper users, accounting for 20% of worldwide consumption while accounting for only 4% of the global population.
Millions of trees are chopped down, billions of gallons of water are consumed in its manufacturing, and hundreds of gallons of bleach are needed to colour it all only to be used once and then flushed down the toilet.
The good news? We don’t necessarily require it. Yes, according to societal standards, and major businesses’ marketing departments, there is no better alternative. But it’s 2022, and if we can carry around all-knowing computers in our smartphones, there must be a better alternative to toilet paper somewhere.
The ‘Clean’ History
Humans have been cleaning themselves since the dawn of time, but it hasn’t always been using paper from trees.
What type of natural instruments were employed for this icky work depended on social rank, culture, and even climate. Some of the tools used were water, snow, leaves, grass, wood, and seashells, among others.
Why Is Toilet Paper So Difficult?
You’re effectively flushing away old trees with each tile you flood. The bulk of toilet paper in the United States is made from virgin old trees in Canada’s boreal forest. Not only are the trees being felled, but so is the ecology that supported them.
The Canadian boreal forest is known as the Amazon of the North, encompassing over 270 million hectares and reaching from one end of the nation to the other. This forest is responsible for 12% of the world’s carbon storage (the Amazon contains about 25% of the world’s carbon).
Is it a Necessity?
There’s a debate about whether we need toilet paper, and many countries now don’t use it at all – or at least not as much as Americans do. The average American consumes 140 rolls of toilet paper each year.
The fact is that toilet paper corporations have convinced us that using paper to clean ourselves is the most sanitary option. This couldn’t be further away from the truth. In fact, over-wiping can cause discomfort, irritation, and even bleeding, and toilet paper, like makeup remover wipes, doesn’t truly remove makeup; it merely smears it about (yes, we know!).
For an environmentally responsible experience of getting down to ‘business’, there are several alternatives, namely a bidet, reusable or recycled toilet paper.
The Best Zero-Waste Toilet Paper
Is the Bidet!
Yes, one of the most common methods of cleaning in major eastern and European regions, the most obvious advantage of using a bidet is that it saves trees as well as the bleach and other chemicals used in toilet paper manufacturing. Every year, this equates to almost 15 million trees, 437 billion gallons of water, and 253,000 gallons of bleach.
What is the best way to use a bidet?
Connecting a bidet to your toilet’s hose line is as easy as connecting an attachment to the hose line. The bidet sprays a focused stream of water at your unmentionables after you’ve finished your business. You may regulate the water flow using a nozzle to get your ideal level of cleaning.
You may then air dry, pat dry with a smaller quantity of TP, or be particularly eco-friendly and set aside clothing to pat yourself dry with.
Zero Waste Recycled Toilet Paper
Zero-waste toilet paper that can be reused
Doesn’t sound very appealing, does it? But don’t fret! Don’t worry if a bidet isn’t an option for you; there are alternative zero-waste toilet paper solutions. Reusable cloth toilet paper is always an option.
To use — Keep your clean unpaper strips beside the toilet and use them like ordinary toilet paper, but don’t flush them. After using the towels, throw them in a small garbage can with a cover or a damp bag. Wash, dry, and reuse every 2-3 days.
To wash — The process is quite similar to that of washing cloth diapers! Pre-soak with vinegar/cleaning solution as needed, then wash for at least 25 minutes in hot water that is at least 160°F (71°C). It also works if you have a sanitise setting.
Never fear if you don’t have access or are uncomfortable using a bidet or reusable toilet paper. You may also use bamboo toilet paper or go for recycled paper’s toilet rolls.
