Chinese Company Sells Tissue Paper Made From Panda Poop

Sichuan Qianwei Fengsheng Paper Company announced on Monday that they will recycle the panda dung and food debris from the research center’s three bases located in Dujiangyan, Wolong and Bifengxia, Xinhua reported.

According to Huang Yan, a researcher from the giant panda research center, an adult panda can consume between 12 to 15 kilograms (26 to 33 pounds) of bamboo per day. This produces more than 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of feces that are rich in fiber after the fructose is absorbed when it goes through the panda’s digestive system.

While panda poop is the main part of the deal, the company will also take the 50 kilograms (110 pounds) of food waste that the animals spit out or leave behind. Prior to reaching a deal, the waste and dung were usually thrown out or turned into manure mixture for fertilizer .

Yang Chaolin, the paper company’s chairman, explained that this deal greatly benefits the two parties involved, further calling it a “win-win” situation, Global Times reported.

Chaolin explained that workers extract fiber from the bamboo and break down the fructose before it could be turned into paper. This is already done when the plant goes into the panda’s digestive system, saving some time.

Many people are probably concerned about contamination by dangerous bacteria from the paper since it is made from feces.

However, Zhou Chuanping, the paper company’s deputy manager, reassured that it will be boiled and pasteurized to kill any bacteria in the poop before turning into paper. The company will collect the feces from the research center once every three to seven days.

Featured Image via Global Times