Recycled Toilet Paper - Don't Flush Money Down the Toilet

It might not be the most pleasant topic of discussion but we feel that its not talked about nearly as much: Recycled Toilet Paper.


Toilet paper: Not just for use in the toilet Image via Morguefile

Now, the first thing that probably comes to mind is "Eeeiuu!"... but put aside your grossed-out feeling and consider this. Instead of flushing down 'virgin' toilet paper down the loo (produced from virgin wood-fibers or native forest trees), why not switch to recycled toilet paper instead? At the risk of being crude, its not like your bum is going to know the difference.

More importantly, a great deal of processing and chemical bleach goes towards turning the naturally brown fibers into pristine white toilet paper.


Toilet rolls come with patterns and fragances, which we very rapidly flush down the toilet Image via Morguefile

Studies have shown that customers associate whiteness and softness with cleanliness and hygiene. Hence, toilet roll companies have concentrated their efforts on bleaching the naturally brown fibers into white, to fit customer perception that pure white toilet tissue MUST be clean.


Consumers think that white = clean... but are our eyes really fooling us? Image via Morguefile

In an effort to reduce chemical use, recycled toilet paper is usually found in natural brown if recycled carboard is used or even certain shades of grey (no pun intended) if recycled office paper is used.


Toilet paper in friendly browns Image via Morguefile

Typically, recycled toilet paper is produced from recycled paper or even in some cases, cardboard boxes, sawdust and wood chips. Some companies even eliminate the use of dyes and fragrances, reducing the carbon footprint of the product even further.


The natural shade of cardboard gives the final product its brown colour Image via Morguefile

Sadly, due to low demand, recycled toilet paper is still more costly than their usually produced counter-parts. So really, its a chicken and egg situation: recycled toilet roll will be more costly to produce as there is limited market demand, hence economies of scale are difficult to reach. Similarly, consumers would be hard-pressed to purchase recycled toilet paper when virgin toilet paper is cheaper. Furthermore, alot of the recycled products on the market have been found to be rougher to the touch, with comparisons made to "having sandpaper on your rear end" arising as a common complaint.


Don't flush money down the toilet Image via Morguefile

Recycled toilet paper can easily be found at your nearest supermarket. Why not give it a try during your next grocery shopping trip? A little switch can go a long way...

Melsom - Disposable Rice Husk Plates

We've all heard of biodegradable plates, bowls and cups made from sugar cane fibers, bamboo, wood pulp and even corn starch. The use of these all natural materials means that after use, your plates and cutlery can safely be buried in your garden and left to degrade. This is especially good for parties, when you don't want the hassle of washing up after all your guests. Disposable party ware eliminates the hassle, while keeping your Green Concience clean!


Bye-bye styrofoam partyware, hello biodegradable materials!  Image via EZ Plaza

Globally, many companies have turned to sugarcane bagasse as a raw material for producing biodegradable plates. This is partly due to its versatility as well as abundance as a waste byproduct from the sugar industry. However, sugarcane is not found in abundance in this part of the world. However, recently a local entrepreneur has been making headlines with his unique take on biodegradable plates.


Introducing Malaysian-born Melsom  Image via Melsom

Melsom's recyclable Rice Husk Tableware are the brain child of Mr. Mogus Siew, founder of Malaysian comapny Melsom Biodegradable. As history goes, back in 2005, Mr. Mogus spotted a pile of rice husks which were set to be burned, in his hometown in Sekinchan. The wheels in his head started turning, and fast forward three years later - Melsom Biodegradable Rice Husk Chopsticks were first launched.



Made from rice husks, these chopsticks were able to withstand temperatures of between -30°C and 120°C. Not bad for materials that were meant to be disposed of and burnt.


With millions of chopsticks being disposed of daily, biodegradable chopsticks could save the world  Image via Melsom

Since then, Melsom have launched their Little Husks series, comprising of little bowls, plates, cups and cutlery for kids. How cute!

Biodegradable and hence child-friendly  Image via Melsom

They also have the Ocha Cup for tea drinking as well as the Handy-Cut series, a collection of biodegradable chopping boards. Perfect for discerning chefs.

Perfect for a steaming hot cup of Green tea!  Image via Melsom

Biodegradable chopping boards with anti-bacterial and anti-odour properties  Image via Ad Homeworks

When you want to dispose of the Melsom Tableware, all you have to do is soak them in water for 1 week, and it will start to biodegrade. 

One key feature of Melsom products is that the surface of the materials have a natural wax coating, originating from the rice husks themselves. Prolonged use of the products would actually cause the waxed surface to fade. However, this does not in actual fact affect the quality of the products.

Their products have been featured in The Star and can be purchased online from Ad Homeworks.

Not just good for the earth, good for the eye too  Image via Ad Homeworks

The whole range of assorted tableware and chopping boards are priced from RM3.90 to RM59.90. They are dishwasher-safe and can be used in the microwave - but only for reheating and defrosting.

Melsom Biodegradable
http://www.melsombiodegradable.com

Composting: Where Waste Transforms into Plant Food

Many of us take for granted how much actual food scraps and organic waste we throw away each day. Studies have shown that the municipal solid waste in Malaysia is divided into a whopping 45% of food waste, with the remainder comprising materials such as plastic (24%), paper (7%), iron (6%), and other materials (3%).

Banana peel is a good candidate for composting  Image via morgueFile

These potentially compostable materials ranging from vegetable scraps, fruit peel, leftover food, used tea bags and even discarded leaves and twigs from the garden often end up along with the rest of our waste: at the landfill.

Mountains of rubbish and no place to put them  Image via morgueFile

In some countries, biodegradable waste from the table and garden will be collected by the weekly rubbish collector. However, for those of us who are not so fortunate, another alternative to dealing with these wastes must be found.

For easy sorting of organic wastes from the kitchen, Ikea offers this convenient bin that can be mounted on the inside of your cabinet door. After, the collected food wastes can be conveniently taken outside for composting.

This could be yours for RM 39.90  Image via Ikea

The easiest way to compost is simply to pile a mixture of fresh grass, dried grass and food waste into a heap in one corner of your garden. To avoid an eyesore, do choose a spot which is away from the main walkways.

It may not look pretty, but the worms love it  Image via Greenscapes

For those keen to speed up the decomposition, you can use vermicomposting (worms) to accellerate the breaking down process. Local company Hijau Kembali offers the "Can O Worm" composting bin to house your own worm kampung.

  

Cool grey bins containing worms to much away at your food scraps  Image via Hijau Kembali

Even if you don't own a garden, you can purchase the KitCoBin, a portable composting bin suitable for use in apartments and indoor kitchens. Offered by MG Ecotech, they were featured on The Star. Each unit only costs RM159.90 and is inclusive of a 1 kg pack of Bio Booster, which helps to cultivate beneficial microorganisms as the food decomposes.

Convienient size for composting, minus the smell. Even fits under the sink!  Image via MG Ecotech

Alternatively, you could build your own compost bin very easily, using a big plastic bin with holes drilled into it for drainage. More details of creating your own DIY Compost Bin  can be found on The Edge Malaysia, The Happy Housewife and Zero Waste SG.

Just grab one of these and start poking holes in them  Image via morgueFile

Finally, if you have a bigger budget to spend, and you want to go for some Serious Composting Machines, you could try the very aptly named NatureMill.  A combination of heat, mixing, and oxygen which is accellerated by the NatureMill helps the microorganisms  break down the food within days - before odors develop.

 

Bye-bye waste. These Composting Machines mean business... OM-NOM-NOM  Image via Weimar Biotech