We have hit on a solution to the problem of toilet paper that will don't imagine will attract many imitators. The problem of toilet paper being that the 6- and 12- and 24-packs come encased in plastic. We could, of course, buy rolls singly, wrapped in paper. But that's hard on the wallet.
So we've opted instead for diapers.
A local diaper service sells clean, second-hand diapers by the dozen for use as rags. We bought a stack and are keeping them in a basket by the potty. After use, they go into a lidded stainless-steel garbage pail, and from there to the wash.
I hear readers now going, "Eeeewwww..." We are a squeamish people, we Americans. We want our caca to disappear on sight. But really, this new system is no weirder than using cloth diapers with a baby. It's a lot less grody than cleaning a cat box. It's cheap, it frees up space in the linen closet, and it produces no plastic waste.
And we get bonus points for saving trees.
Get a Toto Washlet toilet from Japan. No TP necessary! Plus you feel so pampered as it rinses and blow-dries your nether regions. Oh, and it saves water on every flush.
ReplyDeleteUmmm . . . okay. You're right, this will most certainly not attract many users.
ReplyDeleteIs the use of water for washing said diapers really worth the saving of plastic? Sounds like one resource is being used in an effort to save another.
Tani
I definitely said eewwww, before I even read the rest of the comment. I will be interested to see how the researcher figures out the carbon footprint of this particular experiment. But then, I'm just like other Americans. Eeeeuuuuuuuwwww. But I remember the African who said, after coming to the US, that he couldn't get used to sh..... in the same building in which he ate.
ReplyDeleteIf you have ever lived in the third world, you get used to seeing the results of your wiping efforts in (usually open) garbage cans near the toilet. Do you cut down the diapers from original size? Have different sizes available depending on the job to be done? Do you wash them on hot?
ReplyDeleteWay to go guys! So inventive on the cloth, and luxurious too. Good thing Bac-Out is available from across the river. It was what we used for diapers and worked like a charm.
ReplyDeleteThe blog is a great journal for all of the work involved in consciously removing plastics from our lives. The task is daunting, considering so much that's integrated in the day-to-day. A task so important can't wait for ease however.
I look forward to more inspiring ideas.
Cheers,
Gretchan J. - Montavilla
Here in the Far East we are very happy with the "jet spray", a spray nozzle which you use to get rid of the rest of the dangling crud, then you can just tamp with a tiny bit of tissue, or heck, just drip dry! So clean, so fresh, yes! I only wish this was used in the states. If I ever moved back, I would definitely need to install a nozzle next to my toilet.
ReplyDelete