It seems that Americans only like to use soft and fluffy toilet paper on their pampered and delicate backsides. Unfortunately, this luxury has an environmental cost. 98% of American toilet paper comes from virgin forests, while 40% of the loo rolls used by Europeans comes from recycled paper.The Guardian quotes Allen Hershkowitz, a senior scientist at the Natural Resources Defence Council saying:
"Future generations are going to look at the way we make toilet paper as one of the greatest excesses of our age. Making toilet paper from virgin wood is a lot worse than driving Hummers in terms of global warming pollution." Making toilet paper has a significant impact because of chemicals used in pulp manufacture and cutting down forests.Fortunately, Greenpeace has launched an awareness campaign including a downloadable ecological ranking of toilet paper products that can help us choose wisely. Hollywood also did its part during the Academy Awards: the toilet paper used in the Kodak Theater’s toilets was 100 percent recycled.
Even though I'm American, I think I'm off the hook as I live in London where the toilet paper is rough-and-ready. Nonetheless, I'll be checking its ecological credentials today. And next time you see that cute little puppy playing with the loo roll, just think ecological destruction.
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