Growing Your Own Toilet Paper

Growing Your Own Toilet Paper: A Sustainable Alternative

Every year, about one million trees are cut down globally to produce toilet paper, leading many to seek eco-friendly alternatives. One such solution comes from Meru, Kenya, where Benjamin Mutembei has been growing the Plectranthus barbatus plant since 1985—not for food, but as a sustainable toilet paper substitute.

The Green Alternative: Plectranthus Barbatus

Plectranthus barbatus, a leafy plant that can reach up to 6.6 feet tall, is known for its minty and lemony fragrance. Its leaves, similar in size to industrial toilet paper squares, have a soft texture thanks to tiny hairs that cover them. Thriving in warm, tropical climates, the plant is commonly grown in parts of Africa and is also used for marking property boundaries.

Mutembei, who learned about the plant from his grandfather, has been using it for years as a cost-effective alternative to commercial toilet paper. In Kenya, the cost of toilet paper has risen sharply, largely due to the high price of imported wood pulp, which now makes up 75-80% of the final cost of toilet paper products.

A Rising Demand for Eco-Friendly Options

The production of toilet paper primarily relies on virgin wood pulp, contributing to deforestation and environmental degradation. According to the Environmental Impact Consultancy Edge, the global paper industry consumes about 35% of the world’s harvested trees, leading to biodiversity loss and ecosystem disruption.

Martin Odhiambo, a herbalist at the National Museum of Kenya, believes the Plectranthus barbatus plant could provide a sustainable solution to the environmental issues caused by traditional toilet paper. “This has been Africa’s natural tissue for a long time,” Odhiambo explains, “and it could be an environmentally friendly alternative that more people should embrace.”

The Plant’s Growing Popularity

Though there are no official statistics on how many people in Kenya use Plectranthus barbatus for toilet paper, the plant is widely cultivated in rural areas across Africa. The plant grows quickly from cuttings, reaching full height in just 1-2 months, with cuttings costing as little as 50 Kenyan shillings (about $0.37).

Odhiambo’s botanical garden in Nairobi has become a hub for teaching people how to grow their own toilet paper, with over 600 participants in his classes. “People are excited to learn about the plant and often ask for cuttings to take back to their communities,” he says.

International Interest in the Plant

Robin Greenfield, an environmental activist in Florida, has been promoting the use of Plectranthus barbatus for five years. He grows over 100 plants at his nursery and shares cuttings for free or voluntary donations. His “Grow Your Own Toilet Paper” initiative has inspired hundreds of people in the U.S. to try this eco-friendly alternative.

While some people associate using plant leaves with poverty, Greenfield emphasizes that industrial toilet paper is made from plants as well, and the benefits of growing your own toilet paper go beyond just saving money.

Overcoming the Challenges

Although large-scale production of Plectranthus barbatus has not yet been explored, companies like WEPA, one of Europe’s largest toilet paper manufacturers, are taking steps to reduce the environmental impact of conventional toilet paper. WEPA has developed a process using recycled cardboard to make toilet paper without bleaching the fibers, which typically releases harmful chemicals into the environment.

However, one challenge with using the toilet paper plant on a larger scale is that most wastewater and disposal systems, especially in Europe, are not designed to handle plant-based paper. Greenfield suggests that compost toilets could be a solution, as they allow the plant leaves to break down naturally and return to the earth, enriching the soil.

The Future of Sustainable Toilet Paper

Plectranthus barbatus, however, is not without its challenges. In places like South Africa, the plant is considered invasive, and its cultivation is banned. Wendy Applequist, an associate scientist at the Missouri Botanical Garden, suggests that growing the plant in controlled environments could mitigate its potential environmental impact.

Despite these challenges, the potential for Plectranthus barbatus to become a mainstream, green alternative to traditional toilet paper remains strong. “If we continue to promote this plant and keep an open mind, it could become a sustainable and widely used product in the future,” says Odhiambo.

Source: BBC

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