MIDDENGEARD
The Importance of Finding Solutions for Unsustainable Products
Throughout my life, I have spent a great deal of time reflecting on how we interact with the world and searching for solutions that promote sustainability. One key realization I’ve had is that most solutions are inherently simple—it is only when they are debated extensively that they become complicated. Often, this complexity arises because certain individuals or industries seek to profit from these solutions. In reality, everything in life remains simple until we over analyze it.
This page is dedicated to addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing humanity—issues that extend beyond the daily distractions and misinformation that cloud our perception of the world. The survival of future generations depends on our ability to confront these challenges head-on. Now is the time to shift our focus from short-term convenience to long-term sustainability. The future is in our hands.
I would love to hear from you—what do you believe are the biggest sustainability challenges we face today? What innovative solutions do you think could help us create a more sustainable future?
You can contact us below.
Flushing Away the Future:
The Environmental Toll of Toilet Paper
Every single day, approximately 27,000 trees are cut down to produce 87 million rolls of toilet paper. Each roll requires an average of 100 liters of water to manufacture. To put this into perspective, if we built a wall of water 10 cm thick and 2.17 meters high, it would stretch around the entire planet. Alternatively, if we visualized this water as a hosepipe with an internal diameter of 20mm, it would reach the moon, loop around it, return to Earth, loop around the planet, and repeat this cycle 3.385 times.
Now, consider this: the average toilet roll is 25 meters long. If all the toilet paper used in a single day were unrolled and laid end to end, it would wrap around the Earth 54 times. And this happens every day. Multiply that by 365 days, and the scale of this waste becomes almost unfathomable.
We constantly hear about air pollution and water shortages, but often these issues seem distant and abstract. However, when framed in a tangible context, the sheer scale of our environmental impact becomes staggering.
Humanity is preparing to explore Mars and beyond, tackling complex challenges along the way. We pride ourselves on problem-solving and innovation. Yet, one of the most overlooked but critical challenges is finding a sustainable alternative to toilet paper—not just for space travel, but for our survival here on Earth.
There are already existing solutions that significantly reduce our environmental impact. Bidets and toilet-mounted shower attachments use water, but their consumption is minimal compared to the vast resources required to produce toilet paper.
Another alternative is using plant leaves, though finding one that is large and absorbent enough can be difficult. Perhaps we should even explore the possibility of genetically modifying plants to serve as a sustainable substitute for toilet paper.
Nature has already found its own solutions. Animals do not rely on paper or leaves; they use airflow, natural movement, or specialized grooming habits to maintain hygiene. Should we be looking to nature for inspiration in solving this problem?
Finding an alternative to toilet paper is no trivial matter—it is essential to ensuring our long-term survival. Water is the foundation of life, and our reckless consumption of it for unnecessary luxuries threatens future generations. Our children are the future, but without access to clean drinking water, that future is at risk. Schools should be actively educating students on these environmental challenges, encouraging innovation, and fostering a mindset geared toward sustainable solutions.
The BBC have a good article about a plant Plectranthus Barbatus that produces a leaf that is used instead of toilet paper, written by Soo Min Kim.
On Youtube a video by Robin Greenfield on about the leaf from the plant Plectranthus Barbatus.
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