Why choose sugarcane toilet rolls?

If you’ve had a poke around our website, you’ll know we’re big believers in the potential of sugarcane. Why? Read on to find out! 

First things first, what actually is sugarcane?

Sugarcane is a tall grass native to tropical regions of South Asia and Southeast Asia. Its stalks are made up of fibrous tissue and contain high concentrations of sucrose, a type of sugar (hence the name!).

Sugarcane is primarily cultivated for its juice, which is extracted from the stalks and processed into sugar (shock!), treacle, and even ethanol. The plant fibre left over from this process is known as bagasse.

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Why does using sugarcane make our loo rolls eco-superstars?

Bagasse is an abundant material that’s used for all sorts of things, from weaving baskets to making biofuel. However, as it’s not as widely accessible as plastic and wood, it’s often burned or thrown out instead.

Luckily, that’s starting to change. More and more manufacturers are recognising the potential of sugarcane products, and for good reason – aside from its strength and flexibility, sugarcane is a sustainability powerhouse!

Sweet Cheeks are one of the first key players on the sugarcane scene. Here are just a few of the reasons we use sugarcane fibre in our toilet rolls:

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Fully sustainable

Trees take 30 years to reach maturity, while sugarcane can be cultivated in only 11 months. This makes it a far more sustainable option in the long run. It also doesn’t contribute to deforestation, one of the leading causes of climate change.

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Low carbon emissions

As a byproduct, sugarcane fibre is widely available and doesn’t require cutting down trees. There are far fewer intermediate steps needed to process it, making it more streamlined and less fuel-intensive than its wood-based counterpart.

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Biodegradable

The industry requirements are for toilet paper sheets to break down within 19 seconds when flushed. Sugarcane sheets break down in only 4, making them safe for both the ocean and your drains.

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Tackles climate change

After the sugar has been processed, the leftover plant material is often burned. This can be a major contributing factor to climate change. By utilising this leftover material for our toilet paper instead, we’re helping put a stop to this harmful practice.

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Why choose sugarcane over other eco-friendly materials?

Bamboo and recycled paper are both eco-friendly alternatives to standard paper, but even they can’t match the green cred of sugarcane. Here’s why!

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Sugarcane vs bamboo

  • Bamboo is cultivated and cut down solely for its own manufacturing purposes, while sugarcane is grown to produce that sweet sugar we all love. Once all the sugary goodness in sugarcane is squeezed out, the leftover plant becomes waste - and that waste byproduct becomes our loo rolls’ star player.
  • Sugarcane doesn't just win in the sustainability department - it also triumphs in terms of price! The average cost of sugarcane is around 25% less than bamboo, letting you save some serious dough while still making an eco-friendly choice.

Sugarcane vs recycled paper

  • Processing sugarcane generates 54% less carbon than processing recycled paper, even when it's shipped halfway across the globe.
  • Sugarcane fibres are short and delicate, so they break down much more easily than recycled paper when flushed.
  • Sugarcane sheets are super soft and gentle, while recycled toilet paper is much scratchier on the skin.

Now, who says sugar is bad for you?

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