The article discusses how a small change to a toilet paper tube/roll saved 500 truck rolls a year for one British Supermarket - Sainsbury's.
"We wanted to shrink the tube as much as possible and this was as far as we could go to guarantee that it will still fit customers' toilet roll holders," Kate Tucker of Sainsbury's said.
While the supermarket's own brand toilet roll has been made from certified sustainable Forest Stewardship Council sources for years – with the tube FSC-certified since last year – the smaller tube is expected to save 140 tonnes of CO2 annually in reduced transport and materials.
The diameter of the roll will fall from 123mm to 112mm, with the number of sheets still 240. Tucker added: "We believe this is a very significant move and we say to shoppers that they will get the same amount of toilet paper but with a smaller tube and therefore less packaging – including the outside film."
This looks like an all around great move. And, an opportunity to feel even better about wiping your bum! ;-)
Tucker added: "Toilet paper is a huge-selling line as it something everyone has to buy and we estimate that most people use between 45 and 50 rolls a year. Perhaps it's hard to believe that centuries ago we used leaves and wool and that two-ply [the strengthened paper now commonly used] was only introduced in the 1960s. This is another step in its development, giving an essential household product a lower carbon footprint.
"The move is part of Sainsbury's 20 by 20 sustainability plan, trying to shift customers' everyday behaviour to make a positive difference throughout its supply chain.