Each year, one million trees are cut down globally to produce toilet paper, raising concerns about deforestation and environmental damage. A sustainable solution may lie in growing toilet paper at home.

In Meru, Kenya, Benjamin Mutembei has been cultivating Plectranthus barbatus, a leafy plant traditionally used for personal hygiene, since 1985. "This plant has been part of the household ever since learning about it from grandfather," he shares. "It is soft, has a pleasant fragrance, and serves as an effective alternative."

Grow Your Own Toilet Paper!

Video by Robin Greenfield

An Eco-Friendly Alternative

Plectranthus barbatus grows up to 2m (6.6ft) tall and features minty-lemon-scented leaves roughly the size of industrial toilet paper squares. The leaves, covered in fine hairs, are gentle to the touch. Thriving in tropical climates with partial sunlight, this plant is widely cultivated in Africa, where it is also used for marking property boundaries.

Rising toilet paper costs in Africa, driven by expensive wood pulp imports, have made Plectranthus barbatus a cost-effective option. In Kenya, raw materials constitute 75-80% of the final cost of toilet paper. Mutembei explains, "Modern toilet paper is only purchased when all the leaves have been used up."

Globally, the pulp and paper industry is responsible for 35% of harvested trees, significantly contributing to deforestation, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem damage. Advocates like Martin Odhiambo, a herbalist at Kenya’s National Museum, suggest that Plectranthus barbatus could provide a greener solution.

Accessibility and Benefits

One of the plant's major advantages is its affordability and rapid growth. It matures within 1-2 months, and a cutting costs only 50 Kenyan shillings ($0.37). According to Odhiambo, its leaves are compatible with modern flush toilets and can also be composted, making it a versatile option for hygiene.

Odhiambo has been promoting the plant through botanical lectures in Nairobi, attracting hundreds of participants eager to learn about its uses. Many take home cuttings to introduce the plant to their communities.

In the United States, environmental activist Robin Greenfield has been using Plectranthus barbatus for five years. Through the "grow your own toilet paper" initiative, Greenfield distributes free cuttings to encourage others to adopt this sustainable alternative. Feedback from those who have tried the plant has been overwhelmingly positive. Greenfield notes, "Industrial toilet paper also originates from plants; this is just a more direct and sustainable approach."

Challenges to Widespread Use

Despite its benefits, the toilet paper plant faces obstacles to mainstream adoption. Many wastewater systems, particularly in Europe, are not designed to process materials other than soluble toilet paper. Composting toilets offer an alternative, as the leaves can decompose and enrich the soil.

Another challenge is the plant's potential to become invasive in certain regions. In South Africa, Plectranthus barbatus is classified as an invasive species, and its cultivation is banned to protect native ecosystems. Wendy Applequist, a scientist at the Missouri Botanical Garden, suggests that controlled cultivation in designated areas could mitigate these risks.

Public perception presents another barrier, with some associating the use of leaves with poverty. However, Odhiambo believes that raising awareness about the plant’s environmental and economic advantages could help shift opinions. "Understanding its benefits could make this plant the next sustainable alternative," he states.

A Green Solution on the Horizon

Advocates remain hopeful about the potential of Plectranthus barbatus as a sustainable alternative to conventional toilet paper. Its affordability, rapid growth, and environmental benefits position it as a practical solution for reducing the ecological footprint of toilet paper production.

Odhiambo, who continues to distribute cuttings and educate communities across Kenya, sees great promise in the plant. With open-mindedness and further promotion, large-scale cultivation could pave the way for broader acceptance. As Greenfield highlights, embracing alternatives like this plant can lead to meaningful conversations about sustainability and encourage more harmonious interactions with nature.