No toilet paper for Will Smith's family
Categories: Celeb Kids, Celeb Parenting, In The News, Environment
In an effort to make his home more eco-friendly, actor Will Smith has all but done away with toilet paper in his home. Instead, he has installed toilets that spray water on the users' bottoms to get things clean. This action is followed by a shot of air to dry things up.Smith tells The Sun, "It's a gift from heaven, believe me. People think it's all about suction and that they're going to have their insides removed by this marvel of modern engineering - but it doesn't suck, it blows. Not everyone can handle this thing emotionally, so I've made sure I also have a few normal toilets in my house."
I can't help but wonder if his kids use the normal toilet or the fancy water-spraying one. I am quite sure that Ellie couldn't "handle this thing emotionally" and would absolutely freak out if something came up out of the toilet while she was sitting on it.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Uly 12-16-2007 @ 11:42AM
If Ellie were raised with it, she would think it was totally normal and wouldn't bat an eye.
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Tamyu 12-16-2007 @ 10:58AM
We have a "fancy" water spraying one. They`re not something reserved for the world of the rich and famous - in fact, most houses in Japan are equipped with them.
There are buttons with which you control the strength and direction of the warm water and air. You tell it when to start and when to stop, so there is no element of surprise to the whole affair.
My husband loves ours, and now says that he still feels unclean after just wiping. I personally use the wash, but wipe myself afterward instead of using it`s dry feature. You really do feel much cleaner... TMI, I know, but it`s WONDERFUL around that time of the month.
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Melissa 12-16-2007 @ 11:09AM
Is this really better for the environment? That's an honest question; I don't know the answer. But I'm just thinking that, here in the drought-ridden southern US, we're being asked not to flush our toilets as much with the "If it's yellow, let it mellow" guidelines.
Is the idea behind this that the environmental impact of cleaning the water is less than the impact of toilet paper on deforestation?
I guess this blog is a parenting blog and not really the right place to ask these questions. I'm just curious, though.
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Uly 12-16-2007 @ 11:47AM
It's not just deforestation.
1. Toilet paper is made with bleach. Why, I can't imagine - but people like their TP white. So you add all those chemicals to the load.
2. It takes water to make paper. You're not really saving as much water as you think by dry wiping - making paper inherently wastes water.
3. Toilet paper is, as you noted, rarely made with recycled content. That's just fucking stupid as far as I'm concerned, but there it is.
4. Toilet paper has to be shipped. More fuel is wasted this way, in addition to the fuel spent when it's created.
5. Toilet paper is often wrapped in plastic prior to sale. Go back to number 4 for the waste of fossil fuels.
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Sam 12-16-2007 @ 12:28PM
Being originally from Europe, I've always been puzzled by the North American horror when it comes to bidets and the like. If you were trying to clean another part of your body, would you consider a dry, flimsy piece of paper a more hygienic choice than running water?
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Jan Bay 12-16-2007 @ 12:46PM
I wish they would go with the water and air system in restaurants after seeing a report of how few people wash their hands after using the facilities. It might cut down on the spread of germs. That would be a test worth running, wouldn't it?
Jan from http://www.unique-baby-gear-ideas.com
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Gry 12-17-2007 @ 7:16AM
We have a handy little hand shower next to our toilet - I use it frequently, and yes, it does make you feel much much cleaner. I use a little piece of paper to wipe dry.. Perfect!
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