In the town of Meru, located in eastern Kenya, a plant called Plectranthus barbatus is becoming a popular, eco-friendly alternative to toilet paper. Benjamin Mutembei, a local resident, has been growing this plant since 1985 after learning about it from his grandfather. The leaves, which emit a fresh minty and lemony scent, are soft and ideal for use as toilet paper.
The Plectranthus barbatus plant can grow up to two meters tall, with leaves that resemble the size of a standard toilet paper square. These leaves are covered in tiny hairs, giving them a gentle texture, and they thrive in tropical climates with partial sunlight. The plant is commonly found across Africa, where it is sometimes used to mark property boundaries.
Mutembei, who uses the leaves of Plectranthus barbatus as toilet paper, explains that his family has been relying on this plant for years. He only buys commercial toilet paper when the plant’s leaves have been harvested. For him, the plant offers a cost-effective solution, as toilet paper prices have risen across Africa due to increasing costs of imported raw materials, particularly wood pulp.
According to the Kenya Association of Manufacturers, raw materials now make up 75-80% of the final cost of toilet paper in Kenya. Globally, toilet paper production largely relies on virgin wood pulp, which is responsible for significant deforestation and environmental harm. An estimated one million trees are felled each year for toilet paper production, contributing to biodiversity loss and ecosystem disruption.
Martin Odhiambo, a herbalist at the National Museum of Kenya, believes that Plectranthus barbatus could be a sustainable solution to the environmental issues linked to traditional toilet paper. He notes that many younger people are unaware of the plant’s potential, but it could help reduce the need for wood pulp and its associated environmental damage.
The plant’s popularity is growing, especially in rural areas where it is readily available. Plectranthus barbatus grows quickly, reaching full height in just 1-2 months from a cutting. Each cutting costs around 50 Kenyan shillings (about $0.37). Odhiambo teaches people how to use the plant in his classes at the National Museum, and his courses have attracted over 600 participants. Many people leave his lectures with cuttings to plant in their own communities.
The idea of using Plectranthus barbatus as toilet paper is also gaining traction outside of Kenya. In Florida, environmental activist Robin Greenfield has been promoting the plant through his “grow your own toilet paper” initiative. Greenfield cultivates over 100 plants at his nursery and gives away cuttings to encourage people to adopt this eco-friendly alternative. He emphasizes that, despite perceptions of the plant being associated with poverty, it offers a sustainable and low-cost solution to an environmental problem.
However, large-scale adoption of Plectranthus barbatus has not yet been explored. Companies like WEPA, a major European toilet paper manufacturer, are focusing on reducing the environmental impact of conventional toilet paper by using recycled materials. But Plectranthus barbatus still faces challenges, particularly in places like Europe, where wastewater systems are not designed to handle the plant’s leaves. Greenfield suggests that composting, rather than flushing, could be an ideal solution, as the leaves can break down into soil that supports food production.
One of the biggest obstacles to widespread use of Plectranthus barbatus is public perception. While some view the plant as a step backward, Odhiambo remains optimistic about its potential. He believes that, with continued education and promotion, the plant could become a mainstream alternative to traditional toilet paper, offering an environmentally friendly solution to global deforestation issues.
Despite some challenges, the growing interest in Plectranthus barbatus signals a shift toward more sustainable, locally sourced alternatives in the quest for greener living.
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