Tree Friendly Toilet Paper

Using the loo is a funny thing, it’s one of the most regular things we do as humans, but it’s not something we think about all that much. Who Gives A Crap have actually been on my radar for a long while but, as an Australian company, now I am in this great land I have been able to test them out (on my bum, hehe) for the first time. I’ve been so happy to see these in many cafes and restaurant toilets I’ve been in, and I’m currently staying in a very eco-friendly house in Brisbane, which is great, so have been using this toilet paper on the reg. Let me tell you more…

Who Gives A Crap began when founders learned that 2.3 billion people across the world don’t have access to a toilet; this is around 40% of the global population and means that diarrhoea related diseases kill 900 children under five years old each day. Not happy with this, in 2012 by Simon, Jehan and Danny launched with an IndieGoGo campaign. In their own words ‘Simon sat on a toilet in our draughty warehouse and refused to move until we had raised enough pre-orders to start production. 50 hours and one cold bottom later, we’d raised over $50,000 (see the video here!)‘ Already so many reasons to like this company. Toilets and sanitation provide health and increased quality of life, and it’s been shown that a dollar invested in sanitation yields $5.50 in increased economic prosperity, so Who Gives A Crap dedicated themselves to toilets.

With their first product coming out in March 2013, here are the two reasons why Who Gives A Crap are so great:

– They donate 50% of all profits to improve sanitation in the developing world. Donations go to non-profit organisations working to improve access to hygiene, water and basic sanitation in developing countries. WaterAid is one such organisation and has deep experience and skill in implementing high impact sanitation projects throughout the developing world. Every roll of toilet paper bought helps to provide someone with access to a toilet for roughly one week.

– They’re eco-friendly. Toilet paper is still largely made with freshly cut trees (annoying) which wastes resources, energy and water. Who Gives A Crap only uses forest friendly materials in all of their products, meaning they’ve already saved thousands of trees and thousands of tons of greenhouse gas emissions. Their recycled paper is made from 100% post-consumer waste paper (primarily sourced from schools that are local to where they produce – think BPA free text books, work books, office paper, etc) and their premium paper is 100% bamboo, the wonder material supreme. They also don’t use any chlorine, inks, dyes or weird perfumes, instead pulping the clean fibres at super high temperatures, ensuring that Who Gives A Crap stays biodegradable, safe in septic tanks and as strong as it is soft. Oh, and their packaging is recyclable!

If you want even more info you can read their full impact report here.

Beyond everything else, they just feel good on the old behind. They describe themselves as silky soft, and they really are. In fact I think they’re softer that normal toilet papers I’ve used in the past. They certainly feel luxurious to use, but you have the added benefit of knowing you bum wiping is doing some good in the world too! I would happily use these for the rest of my days. Outside of toilet paper they also do tissues and kitchen towel paper, both of which are equally as awesome as the bog roll.

So here’s the downside, these guys aren’t really shipping outside of Australia yet, but it’s a watch this space situation. I’m super keen to get this product into the UK (and everywhere really), so I’m keeping an eye out. If you live somewhere where you can purchase this paper, do! The bigger they become, the more chance we have of getting them across the world. Let’s help the company grow so we can get in on that ethical bum wiping action. If you live outside of Australia, let Who Gives A Crap know that you want them in your country! The more evidence there is of demand, the easier it is to get investment. Until then, I’ll keep watching this space.

Until next time, stay magic y’all.