Tushita(Srilanka) innovation , paper from elephant dung IAR487 by IARAnil

Summary

In Sri Lanka, Tusita has turned elephant poop into a sustainable business by making paper from it, helping to combat deforestation. By collecting fiber-rich elephant dung, he creates clean, odorless paper, providing jobs for locals and supporting elephant sanctuaries. This innovative approach saves trees, employs women, and contributes to wildlife conservation. Tusita's company now supplies paper to over 30 countries, highlighting how recycling waste can create positive environmental and social change. His work proves that even seemingly small or gross ideas can make a big difference for the planet.

Takeaways

• 😀 Elephants' poop is being used to make paper in Sri Lanka, turning a waste product into a valuable resource.
• 😀 The idea was sparked by Tusita, who noticed the unique properties of elephant poop and saw an opportunity to create a business out of it.
• 😀 Most paper is made from trees, which contributes to deforestation. Using elephant poop helps save trees and reduce this impact.
• 😀 Elephant poop is a great source of fiber, making it ideal for paper production. Elephants produce large quantities of fiber due to their plant-based diet.
• 😀 One adult elephant can poop up to 16 times a day, and 12 elephants can produce a ton of poop in a single day.
• 😀 The process of making paper from elephant poop involves drying, boiling, and mixing the poop before shaping it into sheets of paper.
• 😀 The paper produced from elephant poop has no odor and is safe to use, in fact, it smells great.
• 😀 Tusita's company now produces over 50 million sheets of A4 paper annually, all from elephant poop.
• 😀 The business has grown from a small team of 7 people to 80 full-time employees, most of whom are women who have limited job opportunities.
• 😀 The company partners with elephant orphanages and sanctuaries, supporting both animals and people, creating a positive impact on local communities.
• 😀 Tusita's innovative approach demonstrates that recycling and creative business solutions can help the environment and create jobs, proving that even small ideas can make a big difference.

Q & A

What inspired Tusita to create paper from elephant poop?

Tusita was motivated by the desire to help reduce deforestation. He realized that the paper industry uses a large amount of trees, and by using elephant poop, he could create paper without cutting down trees.

How does the paper made from elephant poop compare to regular paper?

The paper made from elephant poop is clean, safe, and doesn't smell like poop. In fact, it has a pleasant smell, making it a unique alternative to traditional paper.

Why did Tusita choose elephant poop over other types of waste?

Tusita chose elephant poop because elephants only eat vegetables, which are high in fiber. This makes their poop rich in fiber, which is essential for making paper.

How much poop do elephants produce and how does it help in paper production?

An adult elephant can poop up to 16 times a day. Just 12 elephants can produce enough poop to create one ton of paper in a single day, making it an abundant resource for the paper-making process.

How does Tusita prepare the elephant poop for paper production?

Tusita collects elephant poop from orphanages, dries it under the sun, boils it to 200 degrees, and mixes it in a large pot. He then spreads the mixture in molds, smooths it, and cuts it into sheets of paper.

How many sheets of paper can be produced from elephant poop in a year?

The amount of elephant poop collected can produce over 50 million sheets of A4 paper annually.

What social impact has Tusita's business had?

Tusita's business has created jobs for 80 people, almost all of whom are women who previously had limited employment opportunities. It also supports elephant orphanages and helps preserve trees by offering an alternative to tree-based paper.

What is the environmental benefit of Tusita's business?

Tusita's business helps to reduce deforestation by providing an alternative to traditional paper made from trees. His efforts have saved thousands of trees and contributed to environmental conservation.

How many elephants does Tusita support through his business?

Tusita has adopted 16 elephants, providing them with care and support through his business operations.

What is the overall message Tusita aims to convey through his business?

Tusita's message is that recycling, even in unconventional ways, can have a significant positive impact on the planet. By finding innovative solutions, like making paper from elephant poop, we can protect the environment and create economic opportunities.