Where will it all... um.. end?

First they came for the 4x4s, and then it snowed....

Then they came for the bottled water and the purification plant got flooded...

Sorry, a flippant take on a serious issue.

Leading first to a 'too much info' alert for those of weak tummy dispositions.

American taste for soft toilet roll 'worse than driving Hummers'

Thing is, I have to say I cannot see why... make that believe it's not possible to make suitably soft products without cutting down a virgin forest.

This is key. Because one has to be pragmatic. I come from an era when the school loos offered what was known as 'British Rail Smoothies' (giving you a hint as to the fun that train travel offered the hapless commuter) which, whilst not offering the tactile sensation of some other sandpaper varieties, was about as much use as a plastic bag.

And there is no way my missus and the golden boys are going to willingly go back to that in a hurry.

This household is already a bit divided on the porcelain front. Even before the water meter was but in, I was a a bit of a 'let it mellow' advocate, but after a few long days, hot summers and a bit of male forgetfulness on the bedtime flush front, it became an 'issue'.

There's also be the amount of tissue and where it gets used. I have a certain sympathy with my wife's views on the basic differences of the female anatomy to the males, and how certain functions are carried out. Let's just say what goes down can also splash back up. Hence I became aware that a little 'nest' was being created first, partly for hygiene but also to avoid the brush. Fair enough. But now I found the boys see merit in this too.

In some attempt at mitigation, I have instituted a dual roll (geddit?) policy, whereby cheap, recycled, rough stock is on hand to 'prepare', leaving, with luck, more 'high end' (sorry) material for the softer touch function.

However, having written all that, even the soft tissue we use is bog-standard (sorry again) supermarket recycled, and it seems pretty up to the task delicate-wise to all of us.

And so, flushed with .... no, I better get out while the going is still decent. If not the puns.

Telegraph - Fluffiness comes at a price': the eco-loons are after our loo paper! - A rather less than insightful diatribe. I include it because of a point made on bleaching making recycled worse in some cases (enviROI!). Now, how to confirm?

Guardian - American taste for soft toilet roll 'worse than driving Hummers' - At least they are recycling the images - Not these wise words: Yes - it should be recycled - here in California I buy "Bright Green" brand, which is recycled. But if you buy the thin stuff you only use more.

Gaurdian - NEW - Let's wipe out toilet paper - To date... 237 comments! The first dozen were enough. What would we do without our media?

Up to our necks in sh*t?

Not in the future, according to this from BusinessGreen, as manure can readily be turned in methane using anaerobic digestors, which can then be burned to create electricity, or converted into a feed-stock for biofuels.

"Anaerobic digestors work like small-scale landfill sites, trapping methane from waste organic matter, such as slurry, manure and food waste, that can then be burnt off to produce heat and electricity or converted into biofuel, while also producing a nutrient rich digestate that can be used as a fertiliser."

"This material could produce enough heat and power to run more than two million homes, helping to prevent dangerous climate change by providing a renewable energy source as well as reducing our reliance on landfill."

So there you have it - even cow manure could become a renewable energy source!

NEWS/Commercial PR - POOH CORNER gets its latest update

Now, in true Michael Caine style, 'norralorra people know this, but...' Junkk.com does have a little place called... POOH CORNER.

It got created to 'address' matters of a more effluvial nature that are nonetheless environmentally valuable, and copped the moniker when my boys heard my talking about the topic, made a very odd connection with Christopher Robin whilst giggling 'He said poo!'. It was a while ago, but even at 12 they still fall about. Like I say... boys.

Nothing there yet, of course, because for now all goes here on the blog, but I really must get busy loading it up as, over the years, a lot has come in that would be ideal to go here.

Anyhoo... to the point.

Those nice folks at ecover, who already dominate the 'E' section of the Ideas pages, have sent us a freebie to go with a bit of worthy PR. The pack is now here and here. No ideas yet, but the cap is promising. Maybe ecover can get busy here as they have before.

The PR is here. The first bit is well worth noting. And as they are mates I've left in the 'product blurb', too (too much to pun it a shamless plug..hole?):

WORLD TOILET DAY

40% of the world's population, 2.5 billion people, don't have access to a toilet. To raise awareness of this global sanitation crisis, and to celebrate the humble yet essential Ecover bathroom cleaner [now that's something I have never seen celebrated before! - Ed], November 19th has been designated World Toilet Day.

We’re excited about World Toilet Day because it complements our three year partnership with WaterAid to provide access to safe water and sanitation in the Hintalo Wajerat area of rural Ethiopia.

For further information on Ecover’s partnership with WaterAid visit www.ecover.com/wateraid

About Ecover Ocean Waves Toilet Cleaner

As with all Ecover products, the Ocean Waves Toilet Cleaner is formulated from plant and mineral-based ingredients, biodegrading quickly and completely to ensure it has a minimal impact on aquatic life.

Telegraph - NEW - Why we shouldn't sneer at World Toilet Day