4 July 2010 

Healesville Sanctuary has today asked every Australian to join a toilet revolution and think of native wildlife next time they pay a visit to the loo.

Healesville Sanctuary Director John Gibbons said the cheeky Wipe for Wildlife campaign will encourage Australian households to switch to toilet paper made from recycled sources.

"The majority of Australian households don't buy recycled toilet paper, which means we are literally flushing millions of trees down our toilets each year," Mr Gibbons said.

"It's time we stopped being tree flushers and started wiping for wildlife."

Mr Gibbons said that while the campaign is very tongue-in-cheek, it does have a serious message.

"Australia has the highest rate of extinction of mammals in the world, and we have lost vast quantities of our native forests in the past 200 years.

"In a time of climate change, our trees - whether they come from plantation or old growth forests - are much better off in the ground than down our toilets."

The Sanctuary has also employed a new super hero, Crapman, to spread the word about recycled toilet paper.

"There are two types of people in this world: tree flushers and those who wipe for wildlife," the not-mild-mannered superhero said.

"If you use recycled toilet paper then your bum is guilt-free. If you don't, it's time you made the switch. You and your bum will feel much better."

Crapman is asking all Australians to sort the wipers from the flushers by taking part in the Wipe for Wildlife Roll of Honour on Facebook.

If you use recycled toilet paper, then upload a photo of your Wipe for Wildlife toilet (preferably when you're not using it) and let the world know your bum is guilt-free.

Healesville Sanctuary recommends Naturale toilet paper for anyone wanting to make the switch. Naturale is made in Australia, using 100% post consumer waste and no harsh chemicals.