Why We Created Zigu: The Truth About Toilet Paper (and What You Can Do About It)
Let’s talk toilet paper. Yeah, that stuff we all use, barely think about, and flush away without a second thought. But what if we told you your bathroom habits could be harming the planet more than you realize?
We created Zigu - a portable, collapsible bum-gun - because we believe cleanliness shouldn’t come at the cost of the environment. It's time to take a closer look at what’s really behind your toilet paper — and why cutting back is one of the smartest, cleanest, and most sustainable moves you can make.
Roll Call: Our TP Addiction by the Numbers
We’ve done the homework on TP so you don’t have to:
- The average person in 2024 will use 13.8 pounds of toilet paper.
- Only 30% of the world actually uses toilet paper — yet 42 million tons are consumed every year.
- China tops the global list, using over 4 billion miles of TP a year. The U.S. follows close behind with 2.6 billion miles, despite having a quarter of the population.
That’s enough paper to go to Mars and back 9 times. Every. Single. Year.
The Hidden Cost: Trees, Water, and Wildlife
Our toilet paper habit is wiping out more than just waste — it’s wiping out forests.
- 712 million trees are cut down annually to make virgin pulp toilet paper.
- It takes about 1.5 pounds of wood to make just one roll.
- One tree makes roughly 1,500 rolls, but we go through them fast.
This deforestation harms biodiversity, destroys animal habitats, and releases massive amounts of carbon into the atmosphere. For example, logging in Canada’s Boreal Forest emits 26.4 million metric tons of CO₂ annually — about a quarter of the emissions from every car and truck in the U.S. in 2019.
These forests aren’t just homes for wildlife — they’re essential to fighting climate change.
TP’s Thirsty (and Dirty) Manufacturing Process
It’s not just the trees. The process of making toilet paper is incredibly resource-heavy:
- Producing 42 million tons of TP requires 1,165 million tons of water.
- One roll can use up to 37 gallons of water in its creation.
- Chemical bleaching pollutes water sources and harms aquatic ecosystems.
That’s a lot of damage… just for a few seconds of wiping.
Energy Guzzling, Too
Toilet paper doesn’t just magically appear on store shelves. It takes a tremendous amount of energy:
- 78 million tons of oil are burned every year for TP production.
- One roll uses around 1.3 kWh of electricity — that’s enough to power millions of homes when scaled up to national consumption.
Even recycled toilet paper, while better, still requires energy and water — and often doesn’t match the hygiene standard people expect.
So What’s the Solution?
We’ve seen an encouraging rise in eco-friendly toilet paper made from bamboo, wheat straw, or recycled materials.
But here's the thing — the most sustainable solution? Not using toilet paper at all (or reducing it so much that you only use a tiny bit each time!)
Meet Zigu: Clean Bums, Clean Conscience
That’s where Zigu comes in. We designed Zigu to help reduce — or even eliminate — your toilet paper usage, without compromising on cleanliness or convenience.
✅ Portable: Take it to the office, camping, traveling, or anywhere your day leads.
✅ Collapsible: Discreet, compact, and easy to pack.
✅ Eco-friendly: Save trees, water, and energy with every spray.
Wiping is out. Washing is in — and your bum (and the planet) will thank you.
Conclusion: Make the Switch, Make a Difference
The environmental impact of toilet paper is staggering — deforestation, water waste, energy consumption, and pollution all rolled into one everyday product.
But with smart solutions like Zigu, you don’t have to contribute to the problem. It’s time to ditch the roll and embrace a future where hygiene is more comfortable and eco-conscious.
Join the bum-gun revolution. Wipe less. Clean better. Save the planet.
Try Zigu today — because a better world starts in your bumhole.