'I’ve ditched toilet paper for leaves… and you should too!'
Five years ago Robin Greenfield ditched toilet paper, and started using home-grown leaves instead. Now he wants the rest of the world to do the same. He claims the leaves of the blue spur flower are the perfect texture and size for wiping, and are so easy to grow that you’ll be able to create a supply to last a lifetime. He also says they’re prone to attracting dew… meaning they double as wet wipes. Robin joins us live from North Carolina to tell us about his unusual bathroom habits.
But if you’re not quite brave enough to make the switch to leaves just yet, our consumer editor Alice Beer joins us in the studio with other sustainable options you might feel more comfortable adding to your loo.
So, how damaging is loo roll to the environment?
Every day an estimated 27,000 trees are cut down just to make toilet paper. In the UK, the average person gets through 127 rolls of loo roll each year.
Are supermarkets offering more environmentally friendly choice?
First thing to look for is RECYCLED.
Recycled toilet paper produces around 30% fewer carbon emissions than traditional loo roll, purely because it requires less water and energy and creates less air and water pollution.
Five of the major supermarkets (Co-op, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Waitrose) offer an own-brand 100 % recycled toilet paper.
Look for NO PLASTIC PACKAGING - The more sustainable loo roll will come in packaging that is recycled.
How much more environmentally friendly is bamboo loo roll?
Recycled is a step in the right direction but bamboo loo roll is much more environmentally friendly, producing 65% less carbon than regular toilet paper. Bamboo loo roll is slowly making its way into supermarkets, but is the most sustainable source for tissue manufacture.
It is natural, antibacterial, requires no chemicals, grows incredibly quickly using only rainwater, and replenishes itself naturally, meaning less intensive forestry is required.