Invented in Japan of course — a country well aware of what can and cannot be recycled due to its history (war-ridden, perpetually high population packed into a small urban city, lack of abundant natural resources, etc).
I think it’s a wonderful idea, this “White Goat” machine.
Yes, that’s its real name..
All you need to do is feed the machine 40 sheets of AR office paper, and let the machine do its work of shredding, dissolving the strips in water, thinning it out, and then drying it out and winding it into the rolls.
In just thirty minutes, your office TPS reports are a roll of TP, without the tube in the middle.
It only costs eleven cents to make a roll, and regular use of this easy-to-install machine can save you up to 60 cedar trees per year.
Of course, you have to ask yourself if the price is worth it. Right now, this machine weighs 600 kg and is 1.8 meters tall. So not only does it take up a lot of space, but it costs a lot of money at $100,000.
I am only concerned about the ink in that office paper being washed out of the paper, all right for septic tanks and …well, all right for your butt if there’s a little ink residue left over!
Via Coolest Gadgets
Christine Simiriglia
on Feb 3rd, 2010
@ 11:53 pm:
If they could get it down to under $500, I'd consider it.
uberVU - social comments
on Feb 3rd, 2010
@ 7:01 pm:
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by brokeinthecity: Don’t just shred office paper. Turn it into TOILET PAPER! This is recycle & reuse at its best. http://bit.ly/9N5VDU #fb…
Caitlin
on Feb 5th, 2010
@ 5:02 pm:
Interesting idea! Leave it to Japan, eh?
Another thing they do in Japan that I really admire is using grey water – eg the water that goes down the drain as you brush your teeth or shower – to flush the toilet, rather than using clean watch to flush.