As people seek to live more mindfully, using fewer resources, Duravit explores the sustainable bathroom and focuses on products that directly reduce water and energy consumption. In particular, the potential savings in the reduced use of toilet paper, which has a poor environmental footprint overall…
Believing that going without doesn’t mean doing without, Duravit is making a case for the shower-toilet. The shower-toilet cleans more gently, thoroughly and sustainably than toilet paper. Additionally, it improves physical hygiene, is soothing on the skin and leaves a feeling of pure freshness, while providing a clear alternative to the poor environmental footprint of toilet paper.
According to the WWF, some 26,000 trees around the world are destroyed every day to make toilet paper. Producers rely on fresh pulp to give consumers the high levels of comfort they demand. Made from spruce, birch, and eucalyptus trees it involves the clearance of large forested areas of Brazil, Chile, Canada, Russia and Uruguay.
Chemicals are added during the water-intensive manufacturing process (approx. 50 litres of fresh water per kg of toilet paper) to make the paper especially soft and fragrant, or for patterns to be printed on the surface. After disposal, these substances pollute the water and the additives make them less recyclable.
Moist toilet paper is even worse as it doesn’t dissolve well and causes significant problems for sewage works. Some moist wipes contain micro-plastics, preservatives containing formaldehyde, and other chemical additives that both affect the environment, and can cause skin irritation. It is all compounded by issues from plastic waste from packaging, pollutants, and CO2 from transportation.
Image credit: Duravit
The shower-toilet is a contemporary and sustainable alternative to toilet paper. More practical than bidets, it combines the toilet and cleaning function in one and models with a dryer enable drying afterwards. Saving a huge quantity of toilet paper in the long term, which benefits both the environment, your skin and your wallet. Cleaning with water is a more thorough and hygienic option than using paper. Conversely, the water consumption of one cleansing with a shower-toilet is just 0.35–0.6 litres per minute (depending on which intensity has been set). The system Duravit uses to warm the water is particularly energy efficient as warm water is only provided as demand requires.
Simultaneously iconic and minimalistic, the SensoWash Starck f shower-toilet is a synonym for contemporary, gentle and flawless toilet hygiene. It can be individually configured and optionally controlled using a remote control with the associated SensoWash app. Individual user profiles can be loaded at any time. The temperature of the water and the intensity of the shower flow can be fine-tuned to users’ specific requirements. Maximum comfort is guaranteed thanks to technical finishing touches such as the motion sensor for automatic cover opening, user recognition in the seat, a range of configuration options for the seat heating and the controllable warm-air dryer plus integrated nightlight. In addition, it offers added-value for people with restricted mobility.
Duravit is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Main image credit: Duravit
