Bamboo toilet paper subscription service available now in Japan

Toilet paper is an indispensable part of our daily life that we use many times a day. But when you think about it, you realize how much paper we waste down the toilet every day. Okaeri Inc. in Nagano Prefecture took notice of this and has come up with an alternative material that can take the place of toilet paper. Their BambooRoll is a toilet paper subscription service that delivers toilet paper made of 100% bamboo to your home. On September 21, 2021, the company announced that it would extend its service to Okinawa and its remote islands. As a result, now BambooRoll delivers to every corner of Japan!

These few years have seen bamboo attracting attention as a durable alternative resource to plastics and wood due to its carbon dioxide absorption ability. Bamboo is known for its ability to grow extremely fast—much faster than usual trees. According to “Bamboo and Climate Change Mitigation,” a report published by the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR), tests show that bamboo trees consume more carbon dioxide than conifers and hardwoods during the first five years of their growth. By using bamboo, which re-grows quickly and naturally immediately after its harvest with a small amount of water and without pesticides, the company aims to create a cycle of bamboo harvesting, consuming, and growing while benefitting from its CO2-absorbing properties.

Okaeri Inc. is a startup founded in December 2020 to develop sustainable products and services that create circulation. In the future, the company hopes to expand its business not only in Japan but also overseas in Portland, USA, and Tallinn, Estonia. The company thinks that small changes on a daily basis can lead to big changes in society in the future. It hopes that their “BambooRoll” will provide an opportunity for people to think about a sustainable way of living. The environment-friendly toilet paper no doubt saves resources. Plus, renewable energy is used in the manufacturing process, so it’s truly a toilet paper that is kind to the planet.

A subscription box of BambooRoll contains 18 rolls and is priced at 1,800 yen, including tax. For Okinawa & remote islands, one box costs 2480 yen, while two boxes cost 3600 yen. Outside of Okinawa, shipping costs 680 yen. For people who want to try it out before subscribing, there is a trial box for 1,980 yen, including tax.