What’s in that Roll?

Mention it to most people, and you’ll probably either get a humorous aside or no response at all, but make no mistake. Toilet paper is serious business. The earliest known use of toilet paper is said to have been in 6th Century China, and since that time, the product has seen some dramatic improvements. It wasn’t until 1883, when Seth Wheeler of Albany, NY got a patent for a roll of paper wrapped around a tube, that what we now think of as modern day toilet paper or “bathroom tissue” was born.

Considering the extent of recycled paper in the final product, toilet paper is a perfect example of wide-scale reuse of waste material. Two of the most well-known recycled paper product manufacturers are Marcal and Seventh Generation, both of whom have made it their business to grow financially while reducing waste and doing good by the environment – their paper household products are made from 100% recycled content. To illustrate how serious Marcal is in this regard, the company has recently developed a co-product called Kaofin® Fiber clay, made from the clay and cellulosic fiber waste that comes at the end of the recycling process for glossy coated paper products such as magazines. This can then be used for a number of applications, including for landfill cover, as a cement additive, and in the manufacture of animal bedding.

How Toilet Paper is Made on You Tube

How Toilet Paper is Made article on www.madehow.com

Louisiana depends on it

The wetlands of Louisiana are dissipating at an accelerated rate. Cypress trees are a major component to the wetland ecosystem. They retain sediment, prevent erosion and protect people who live in densely populated areas such as New Orleans when storms come. As the the United States is working to invest billions to restore the wetlands, Home Depot, Lowe’s and Wal-Mart are selling Cypress mulch. Most of coastal Louisiana is privately owned or claimed to be. Landowners have been selling their property to companies who mulch the trees (bark, branches and all). To find out how you can help prevent the deforestation of coastal Louisiana visit saveourcypress.org.