Light Green Stairs

Turning poo to paper

Published by

Peggy Rowland

November 17, 2007

Also during my recent trip to Chattanooga, TN, I visited World Next Door Market, which specializes in fair trade gifts from around the world.

It was exciting to see many products I had read about online (like mats made out of old flip flops), but not seen in person. One product I had never heard of is elephant poo paper.

Since elephants have a lot of fiber in their diets, their dung is perfect for making paper. It is cooked, and there’s no odor. To read about the process, visit The Great Elephant Poo Poo Paper Company Limited.

Another company that makes paper from elephant waste is Elephant Dung Paper in Thailand.

Interesting fact: One elephant provides the Elephant Dung Paper company with enough dung to make 115 sheets of paper each day! They use profits from the paper for elephant conservation efforts. While you can’t buy directly from them, they do have a North American company that sells the paper, Rainbow Gifts USA.

7 responses to “Turning poo to paper”

nita

November 17, 2007

Just had to come check this out, paper made from poo. How neat. I’m thinking of buying some for my grandson’s for Christmas, not for the green value, although that’s good too, but for the wow factor. Just imagine what their teachers’ faces will look like when they take some paper in and announce, “This paper is made from elephant poo.” At least I hope they use the poo word and not something more graphic. Cool post.

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chocmoon

November 17, 2007

Nita, thanks for stopping by!

Yes, this would be a great show and tell. You can teach them to use the word “dung” instead of “poop” or something more graphic. ; )

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Virginia Lee

November 18, 2007

So now you have to go to the zoo’s gift shop and get yourself some Zoo Doo fertilizer.

It’s one of their best selling items, IIRC!

You forgot merde. Then they can be all sophisticated-like, as it’s French. 😛

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chocmoon

November 18, 2007

“Merde” that’s one of my favorite French words!

I’ve been thinking about this elephant paper thing. I think it’s a great idea, but would people be offended if I sent them a card made out of elephant dung?

Some people might if they don’t understand that it’s bacteria free.

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Ello

November 18, 2007

This is so hysterical! Don’t give it to anyone with kids that like to eat paper!

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Virginia Lee

November 25, 2007

It did occur to me that you might give it as a gift to people you’re not all that fond of but to whom you are obligated for whatever reason. The trick would be to make a big deal about how it’s a prime example of making something useful out of something that was seemingly “wasted” (Ha! I just cracked myself up!) and emphasize how you just knew they were sophisticated enough to appreciate such a gift. Then you could be secretly chortling deep inside yourself how you gave them poo! 😀

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chocmoon

November 26, 2007

Virginia, yes it’s “wasted” ha!

I did actually think of giving this to someone, but was afraid he’d be offended. Yeah, he knows I don’t like him.

Also, I wonder if people would be offended to get Christmas cards or letters written on this paper?

It would not bother me personally, but I think it’s safe. Hmm, still it’s a good concept to use the poop to raise money for the elephants. They are recycling without even trying!

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