B Corp Month: Rolling to Ghana!

Yes!!! It's still B Corp Month, and we are ready to share even more with you about it. As you may have read, The Good Roll has been a certified B Corp company since 2022. This week, we'll tell you more about the various challenges we've undertaken in Ghana. Meet Jeroen. Jeroen, our Director of Operations, is soon departing to Ghana. The construction of our own pulp factory has commenced, and he's playing his part in it! Want to know more? Keep reading!

A Quick Refresh!

Alright, before we proceed, let's refresh your memory! What is B Corp again, and why is it so important to us?

Transparency is our trump card! As a B Corp, we lay everything on the table, from our operations to our impact. With our 'Circle of Goodness', we're an open book, keeping us sharp and motivating us to improve every day. Social impact is key! We donate 50% of our net profits to building toilets in Africa and provide opportunities in our social workplace in the Netherlands to those who need a little extra support. Additionally, we are committed to a clean planet by minimizing our ecological footprint. Our toilet paper is an eco-friendly blend of bamboo, kraft, and pure recycled paper, without chemicals, dyes, or scents. Want to learn more about this? Check out our blog on the differences between our rolls!

Our Collaboration with the World Fair Trade Organization

Introducing WFTO, the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), a global network of organizations dedicated to a more sustainable world. This organization operates on 10 principles, all contributing to a greener existence. And this aligns perfectly with our goals! WFTO provides training and tools to its members to strengthen and support their fair trade initiatives.

WFTO advocates for a holistic approach, where Fair Trade businesses not only pursue profit but also prioritize people, the planet, and the economy. It's not just something casual; it's about a fair world and sustainable change, all interwoven with the SDGs.

Fair Trade isn't just about changing how we perceive trade. It aims to encourage global change with a focus on social and environmentally friendly practices. By supporting local economies and reducing dependency on imports and exports, we aim to achieve more economic justice at the local level. It's not just about making a profit but about finding a balance between the well-being of producers, consumers, and our planet, allowing us to sustainably grow in the long term.

Fair Trade Toilet Paper? Duhhh!

Currently, our toilet and kitchen rolls are already a much more sustainable choice than other brands. But we want to go even further! Our goal? To be the first company to offer Fair Trade toilet paper.

Local farmers in Ghana have a surplus of bamboo. Unfortunately, they do not yet see this as a usable raw material. Fortunately, extensive research has been done on the many possibilities of bamboo, including using it to make pulp for toilet rolls. We are committed to supporting these local farmers while making good use of the surplus bamboo. We purchase the bamboo from them at a fair price and process it into pulp in our new factory (operational by end 2024). This way, we not only provide sustainable toilet paper but also foster a fair trading relationship with the farmers in Ghana.

The produced pulp is exported to Europe, where it is converted into toilet paper. What's interesting is that one container can contain up to three times as much pulp as the final toilet rolls made from it. This efficient transportation process contributes to a more sustainable approach by taking up less space and requiring less transportation. Consequently, it reduces unnecessary emissions associated with transportation, which is beneficial for the environment. Want to learn more about this? Check out our blog on our collaboration with WFTO!

Meet Jeroen, Our Director of Operations Ghana

Save the best for last! Meet Jeroen! Jeroen is a valuable addition to our team, with a keen interest in striving for a sustainable world. He significantly contributes to the team and is a true nerd when it comes to topics like the new factory, fair trade toilet paper, and partnerships. And that's precisely what we're focused on! Read below for the interview with Jeroen!

Could you introduce yourself and tell us about your role within The Good Roll?
Jeroen: "I'm Jeroen Zevenbergen and I'm part of The Good Roll team! With my background in industrial engineering, I bring a passion for innovation and sustainability.

As the person responsible for setting up and running The Good Roll's operations in Ghana, I'm excited to tell you about my upcoming trip! Soon, I'll be heading back to Ghana to continue our plans. During my stay there, I'll be mainly focused on further developing our collaboration with local farmers and overseeing the production of bamboo toilet paper.

I've previously lived in Ghana for six months to carry out the pilot program for purchasing bamboo from Ghanaian farmers. That firsthand experience showed me the significant positive impact we can have here. By closely working with these farmers and utilizing their surplus bamboo, we not only create environmentally friendly toilet paper but also promote economic opportunities and encourage sustainable practices."

What exactly does The Good Roll Ghana entail, and what are the main objectives?
Jeroen: "By 2030, we aim to shake up the paper industry significantly by using bamboo as a raw material. We plan to decently pay around 50,000 farmers and workers in Ghana and improve the lives of approximately 200,000 people. And all while producing around 1,000 tons of bamboo pulp daily in our own new factories, without CO2 emissions.

We have several key missions. Especially supporting local Ghanaian farmers. Additionally, we aim to produce bamboo pulp as efficiently as possible and strive to become 'net-zero'. Net-zero means that the total greenhouse gas emissions from an activity are offset by emission reduction or offsetting, with the goal of reducing net emissions to zero.

We are soon starting a new factory in Akosombo that will produce around 25 tons of bamboo pulp daily. It's just the beginning, but we're well on our way to a better and fairer paper industry!"

In what ways does The Good Roll involve its key stakeholders, such as local communities, in developing and implementing projects and initiatives?
Jeroen: "We try to collaborate with local entrepreneurs as much as possible and always consult local authorities to understand their needs. Below is an overview of our key partners in setting up operations in Ghana."

Will you Join Us?

In this B-Corp month, The Good Roll demonstrates how we prioritize sustainability and social responsibility. By involving local communities in operations in Ghana, maximizing efficient transportation, and promoting environmentally friendly production processes, we are committed to creating a positive impact, both locally and globally. Are you with us?