Ecological paper from excrement: Innovation and sustainability

El paper It is one of the most sought-after products worldwide, due to its countless uses in everyday life. From writing and packaging to book printing, its versatility makes it an essential material. However, this high demand has a significant impact on the environment, and much of it comes from the felling of trees for the production of paper pulp.

The environmental impact of the paper industry

According to various conservation organizations, it is estimated that about 90.000 square kilometers of forests disappear each year due to indiscriminate felling for paper manufacturingThis not only affects the ecosystem by destroying the habitats of thousands of species, but also contributes to climate change, as trees play a crucial role in absorbing carbon dioxide.

The paper industry is one of the most polluting industries on the planet. Not only does it contribute significantly to the deforestation, but also generates high levels of pollution during the production process. Pulp manufacturing requires large amounts of water, energy and chemicals that pollute rivers and the air. In addition, paper waste makes up a significant portion of landfills.

Ecological alternatives for paper production

Fortunately, more and more companies are looking for ecological alternatives to reduce the pressure on the environment. forests and reduce the environmental impact of the paper industry. One of these innovations comes from the use of animal excrement as a raw material for making paper. This technique is not only novel, but also completely biodegradable and sustainable.

A pioneering company in this initiative is Poo Poo Paper, which has developed a method for converting the dung of various animals, including elephants, pandas, horses, cows and giraffes, into paper. By using the waste of herbivorous animals, which naturally consume large amounts of vegetation, the company has managed to create an eco-friendly product without resorting to cutting down trees.

How is paper made from manure?

The process of making paper from dung is surprisingly simple. It begins with the collection and drying of animal waste, primarily from herbivores that consume large amounts of plant fiber, such as elephants. By drying the dung, the partially digested plant fibers are separated out. These fibers are then cleaned and compacted to produce thin sheets, creating a completely eco-friendly and odorless paper.

Depending on the type of animal, the content of cellulose The percentage of manure in excrement can vary between 30% and 40%. This makes manure an ideal source for papermaking, since the plant fibre is partially digested, meaning less energy and fewer chemicals are needed to process this material compared to wood.

The manure is treated with a solution of sodium hydroxide to remove lignin and other impurities. Sodium hypochlorite is then applied to bleach the fibres and obtain a white pulp, ready to be converted into paper. As it is a simpler method than wood processing, energy consumption and the emission of polluting gases are considerably reduced.

Applications of manure paper

Although the paper made entirely of animal droppings It can be a bit rougher and coarser, it is ideal for products such as boxes, picture frames and other design elements that do not require smooth surfaces. However, when mixed with recycled paper pulp, a finer and softer material is obtained, perfect for notebooks, cards and notepads.

Some companies, such as Maximus Ltd. in Sri Lanka, have developed this type of paper and market it successfully. With over 120 employees, Maximus Ltd. has managed to combine elephant dung using recycled paper to create sustainable products that are sold worldwide. This initiative not only preserves forests, but also provides employment to local communities and improves the perception of elephants as a threat to farmers.

Environmental advantages of using manure in paper production

Using animal excrement is not only an environmentally friendly alternative, but also offers numerous environmental advantages. By reducing the deforestation and the use of chemicals in papermaking, this method helps protect natural habitats and reduce the environmental impact of industries. It also contributes to reducing pressure on landfills, as it allows the recycling of animal waste.

The Elephants, for example, can consume up to 250 kilos of food per day, producing around 50 kilos of manure. This can be used to make up to 125 standard-sized sheets of paper, which significantly reduces the need for tree pulp. By using this waste, a sustainable production cycle is created and the environment is preserved.

An example of sustainability: the role of elephants in Kenya and Africa

In Kenya, companies like Nampath have developed a thriving business around the elephant dung paper makingThis small but growing industry reaps the benefits of elephant waste in sanctuaries such as Mwaluganje, where 17 firms already operate in the region. As well as helping to protect elephants from poaching, the industry provides employment for more than 500 people and is a sustainable source of income for local communities.

The process in Kenya is similar to that in other regions. The manure is washed to remove any impurities, boiled for several hours to disinfect it, and processed into pulp to create paper. This method allows native trees to be protected by using the excrement as a replacement for wood. Companies such as Transpaper Kenya already produce 20% of their paper from animal manure, a figure that is expected to triple in the coming years.

With growing concern for the environment, initiatives like these are gaining popularity around the world. Although paper made from animal excrement is not going to completely replace conventional paper, it is an excellent complement to reduce the demand for wood pulp and decrease deforestation.