Wipe No Waste

NO WASTE

A BOOK ABOUT TOILET PAPER ROLLS

This project aimed at raising awareness about the environmental impact of toilet paper and promoting more sustainable alternatives.

The History Of Toilet Paper

Uncovering the history of toilet paper in a specific timeline. 1-12 13-23

Environmental Impact of Toilet Paper and Some Sustainable Alternatives

Uncovering the resources used globally to produce toilet paper each year and more sustainable products, like bamboo paper.

Investigation And Questionnaire

Uncovering the conversations between me and my target audience.

TRA DITIONAL

Function

Toilet paper is a tissue paper product primarily used to clean the anus and surrounding anal region of feces, and to clean the external genitalia and perineal area of urine or other bodily fluids.

It also acts as a layer of protection for the hands during these processes. It is usually supplied as a long strip of perforated paper wrapped around a paperboard core for storage in a dispenser near a toilet. The bundle, or roll of toilet paper, is known as a toilet roll, or loo roll or bog roll in Britain.

TOILET PAPER

THE USE OF PAPER FOR HYGIENE HAS BEEN RECORDED IN CHINA IN THE 6TH CENTURY AD.

There are other uses for toilet paper, as it is a readily available household product. It can be used like facial tissue for blowing the nose or wiping the eyes. Some women may use the paper to absorb the bloody discharge that comes out of the vagina during

menstruation. It can be used to wipe off sweat or absorb it. Toilet paper can be used in cleaning like a less abrasive paper towel. As a prank, toilet papering is a form of temporary vandalism by adolescents and often directed at someone who has to clean up the mess.

2ND CENTURY AD

A reference to the use of toilet paper dates back as early as circa 589 when the scholar-official Yan Zhitui wrote: Paper on which there are quotations or commentaries from the Five Classics or the names of sages, I dare not use for toilet purposes.

During the later Tang dynasty (618–907 AD), an Arab traveller to China in the year 851 AD remarked: They [the Chinese] do not wash themselves with water when they have done their necessities; but they only wipe themselves with paper.

During the early 14th century, it was recorded that in what is now Zhejiang alone, ten million packages of 1,000 to 10,000 sheets of toilet paper were manufactured annually.[6] During the Ming dynasty (1368–1644 AD), it was recorded in 1393 that an annual supply of 720,000 sheets of toilet paper (approximately 2 by 3 ft (60 by 90 cm)) were produced for the general use of the imperial court at the capital of Nanjing

Toilet paper is first recorded in China, where it is

used by the wealthy and the Emperor's court. It is

made from soft materials such as silk.

Ancient chinese making toilet paper for emperor

From: Wikipedia

By the Ming and Qing dynasties, the production of paper had increased greatly and some of it was used as toilet paper to wipe bottoms. However, paper was still very expensive and was generally only used by large families to wipe their bottoms.

14TH CENTURY CHINA

Elsewhere, wealthy people wiped themselves with wool , lace or hemp , while less wealthy people used their hand when defecating into rivers, or cleaned themselves with various materials depending upon the country and weather conditions or social customs.

14th century: Toilet paper made from paper becomes more common in China.

Before 16th century

Before 16th century, the Japanese use cicada wings, which are made by stitching together several pieces of cicada wings. However, the wings are transparent and latticed, so it is inevitable that they will break during use.

16TH CENTURY JAPAN

16th century: The use of toilet paper spreads to Japan, where it is also made from soft materials such as silk.

From: https://kknews.cc/history/jlxng4e.html

Seth Wheeler of Albany, New York, obtained the earliest United States patents for toilet paper

and dispensers, the types of which eventually were in common use in that country, in 1883. Toilet paper dispensed from rolls was popularized when the Scott Paper Company began marketing it in 1890.

paper is introduced in the United States, called

"Gayetty's Medicated Paper." It is sold in

packages of flat sheets, and is marketed as a https://www.pinterest.com/pin/72339137735664462/

medical product to prevent hemorrhoids.

0 5

Joseph Gayetty is widely credited with being the inventor of modern commercially available toilet paper in the United States. Gayetty's paper, first introduced in 1857, was available as late as the 1920s. Gayetty's Medicated Paper was sold in packages of flat sheets, watermarked with the inventor's name. Original advertisements for the product used the tagline "The greatest necessity of the age! Gayetty's medicated paper for the water-closet."

https://www.newyorkalmanack.com/wp-content/ uploads/2023/04/Seth-Wheeler-Wrapping-or-TolietPaper-Roll-Patent-Sept-15-1891.png

1871 Seth Wheeler

It is sold in rolls and becomes a popular alternative to flat sheets.

Seth Wheeler, organizer and president of the Albany Perforated Wrapping Paper Company, was born at Chatham, Columbia county, N.Y May 18, 1838. Son of Alonzo and Harriet (Bishop) Wheeler. Educated at the Albany Academy,he entered business as Mechanical Superintendent for Wheeler, Melick and Company, of Albany, manufacturers of agricultural implementsof

which firm his father was a member.

In 1877 he organized the A.P.W. Paper Company, of which he was chosen president. This concern was engaged in the manufacturer of all kinds of perforated and rolled paper and had branch offices at New YorkChicago,Boston,San Francisco London, Paris,Berlin and Cologne.

Seth Wheeler of Albany, New York, obtained the earliest United States patents for toilet paper and dispensers, the types of which eventually were in common use in that country, in 1883. Toilet paper dispensed from rolls was popularized when the Scott Paper Company began marketing it in 1890.

The manufacturing of this product had a long period of refinement, considering that as late as the 1930s, a selling point of the Northern Tissue company was that their toilet paper was "splinter free". The widespread

adoption of the flush toilet increased the use of toilet paper, as heavier paper was more prone to clogging the trap that prevents sewer gases from escaping through the toilet.

1940s

"In the 1940s, the days of rationing and austerity, many families used newspaper as toilet paper, cut into sheets and placed on a string.

“And the older generation will remember Izal toilet paper, a rather scratchy version impregnated with Izal disinfectant and often found in public service buildings.

World War II

The United States government encourages the production and use of toilet paper as part of its war effort, to prevent soldiers from getting infections from unsanitary conditions in the field.

From: https://www.forces.net/heritage/ wwii/flush-money-heres-your-chance-buywwii-toilet-paper#:~:text=%22In%20the%20 1940s%2C%20the%20days,found%20in%20 public%20service%20buildings.

1942-1990 BRITISH

The widespread adoption of the flush toilet increased the use of toilet paper, as heavier paper was more prone to clogging the trap that prevents sewer gases from escaping through the toilet. Softer, two ply toilet roll was introduced in Britain in 1942, by St Andrew Mills in Walthamstow; this became the famous Andrex.

Moist toilet paper, called wet wipes, was first introduced in the United Kingdom by Andrex in the 1990s. It

has been promoted as being a better method of cleaning than dry toilet paper after defecation, and may be useful for women during menstruation. It was promoted as a flushable product but it has been implicated in the creation of fatbergs

Recycled toilet paper

It’s biodegradable. It plays well with most septic tanks. It has 400 sheets per roll. Each roll is 3 ply. Each sheet is 10cm x 10cm. It never lies about its height or posts photos with fish.

Recycled toilet paper becomes more popular, as people become more environmentally conscious.

1990S

Today: Toilet paper is widely available in a variety of styles and materials, including bamboo and other sustainable options. The use of bidets and other alternative methods of personal hygiene is also growing in popularity in some parts of the world.

Environmental Toilet Paper Sustainable

Recycled toilet paper comes out swinging - it’s made from 100% recycled post consumer paper, aka recycled school and office paper that’s already in circulation. Take that, deforestation! Plus, since it’s already paper, there’s less energy needed to transform the fibres into TP than with traditional wood. A strong start.

Here comes bamboo toilet paper, another eco heavyweight. Bamboo is the world’s fastest growing plant (it can grow up to a metre in just one day), so it can be harvested way more frequently than trees. In fact, bamboo toilet paper needs almost 90% less land per sheet to produce than traditional TP. Woah! So it helps save forests and is totally biodegradable.

Environmental Impact of Paper and Some Alternatives

TRUTH

Toilet Paper Environmental Impact:

Daily 27,000 Trees Cut for One Ton Of Toilet Paper

From the NRDC report, now we know most conventional toilet paper is made from wood pulp sourced from oldgrowth forests. These are the forests that have been around for hundreds or even thousands of years. And they are home to some of the world’s most biodiverse wildlife. Unfortunately, these forests are being destroyed at an alarming rate to make way for conventional toilet paper production.

Brazil and Canada are at the front. Removing these trees also permanently removes a carbon sink. That’s also a lot of carbon sinks! And the destruction of old-growth forests isn’t the only issue regarding toilet paper and the environment. Turning tree pulp into toilet paper is energy intensive and emits greenhouse gasses.

From:

How many trees are cut down to make toilet paper? It’s estimated that 27,000 trees are cut down every day to make each ton of toilet paper. Quantitatively, the industry cuts one million acres of boreal forest each year—Russia,

NRDC’s 2020 scorecard ranks 26 toilet paper brands, giving an A or A+ score to 11 brands, including the new winner

“Who Gives A Crap,” which received the top grade for its rolls made of 100 percent recycled materials, including 95 percent postconsumer recycled product.

The 42 million tons of toilet paper used globally annually

TRUTH

Big Negative Impact

Depleting And Not Replacing CarbonRemoving Forests

Most of us use toilet paper daily without giving it much thought. But its clear there are a tragic number of negative factors. Toilet paper is made from trees, and toilet paper production requires cutting down trees and pulping them. This process can have a significant environmental impact, including deforestation, habitat loss, and water pollution.

process is interrupted when trees are cut down for toilet paper which can contribute to global warming.

From: https:// shrinkthatfootprint. com/toilet-paperenvironmentalimpact/?utm_

content=cmp-true

Toilet paper is wrapped in plastic, contributing to environmental pollution. And, because toilet paper is made from trees, it contributes to climate change. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen, helping to regulate the Earth’s temperature. This

Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the environmental impact of toilet paper. You can switch to recycled or bamboo toilet paper, which is more environmentally friendly. Using a bidet or composting toilets can also use less toilet paper. By making small changes in our habits, we can help reduce the environmental impact of toilet paper and make a difference for the planet.

From: https://utopia.org/guide/eco-friendly-toiletpaper-pros-and-cons/ 712 million trees

1,165 millions tons of water 78 million tons of oil used globally annually

A single roll of toilet paper uses 1.5 pounds of wood and 37 gallons of water.

WASTE?

Avoid Using Too Much Toilet Paper

8.6 sheets each time for wipe thier bum, and a regular roll for 4 days

Individual Toilet Paper Use

The facts concerning the amount of toilet paper used on average by a person each year are:

Approximately 57 sheets per day of toilet paper are used, with 8.6 sheets being used per trip to the bathroom. Most people use about 20,000 sheets of toilet paper per year (or about 100 rolls).

Each person uses roughly 50 pounds of toilet paper a year! That is a LOT of toilet paper usage!

more toilet paper than the average person!

If you find you are going through toilet paper in your home too fast, chances are you are using way more than necessary during your bathroom time.

https://trueplumbers. com/blog/do-you-usemore-toilet-paperthan-the-averageperson/

As an individual, if you go through a regular roll faster than 3-4 days (or double roll every 6-7 days), then you use

ALTER NATIVES

A bamboo vs. recycled toilet paper

Which is more ecofriendly?

Recycled toilet paper comes out swinging - it’s made from 100% recycled post consumer paper, aka recycled school and office paper that’s already in circulation. Take that, deforestation! Plus, since it’s already paper, there’s less energy needed to transform the fibres into TP than with traditional wood. A strong start, but oh wait-

Here comes bamboo toilet paper, another eco heavyweight. Bamboo is the world’s fastest growing plant (it can grow up to a metre in just one day), so it can be harvested

way more frequently than trees. In fact, bamboo toilet paper needs almost 90% less land per sheet to produce than traditional TP. Woah! So it helps save forests and is totally biodegradable, too - how’s that for a one-two punch?

Winner: Recycled by a whisker - bamboo fights a good fight, but it takes a bit more energy to process and costs a little more to make.

Which feels better on your bum?

Let us beat you to the punch: recycled loo roll isn’t the softest thing going round.

From: https://blog. whogivesacrap. org/home/bamboorecycled-toiletpaper-smackdown

The paper we use has been recycled multiple times before it reaches its final TP form, so the fibres are a bit more worn than what you’d find in a roll made from virgin trees. But don’t worry, we do our best to make sure it’s still comfy and strong for your planet-loving tushy.

Bamboo, on the other hand, has softness in its corner. It’s the strongest toilet paper we make, and actually feels pretty similar to traditional supermarket rolls - but with the added benefit of feeling great on your conscience, as well.

Winner: Bamboo lands a heavy blow to take out the softness round.

Which is more convenient?

Aaaand we’re back after a quick break to mop our fighters’ brows. (Actually, they’re both really absorbent,

so they took care of that themselves.)

It’s even-stevens this round, with both bamboo and recycled coming in strong. They can both be ordered online and delivered straight to your door. Smack! They both come in bulk boxes of 24 or 48 rolls so you never get caught TP-free with your pants down. Bam! With a subscription, you can tell us the number of people in your house and we’ll recommend how often your loo roll should be delivered. Pow! Oh, and you’ll never have to go to a supermarket for toilet paper ever again. Kablooey!

Winner: From our ringside seat (the toilet), we’re calling a tie.

It’s the sound of two toilet paper rolls ready to rumble. We often get asked whether bamboo or recycled is the better option to wipe your bum, so we’ve pitted them against each other in the ring.

QUESTIONAIRE

Are you using traditional toilet paper

Are you aware of the environmental hazards of using conventional toilet paper?

Do you know about bamboo toilet paper and recyclable toilet paper?

8

How many sheets of toilet paper will you use per time to wipe your bum?

Yes

Do you believe that you use too much toilet paper per time?

Will youo buy bamboo or recycled toilet paper even though they are more expensive than the traditional one?

Toilet rolls used per month

Kelly

Before this interview, I never thought that using conventional toilet paper would be so harmful to the environment.

Toilet rolls used per month

This research made me realise that I use too much toilet paper when wiping my bottom and I will use it wisely in the future to avoid wastage.

Kate

I don't buy bamboo toilet paper or recycled toilet paper as they are more expensive, but I do try to avoid waste.

NO WASTE