B Corp Month: We're Rolling to Ghana!

Yay! It’s still B Corp Month and we can’t wait to share even more with you about it. As you’ve probably read, The Good Roll has been a B Corp certified company since 2022. This week we’ll tell you more about the different challenges we’ve taken on in Ghana, meet Jeroen. Jeroen, our Director of Operations, will soon be leaving for Ghana. The construction of our own pulp mill has started, where he’s contributing his bit! Want to know more about this? Then read on!

Just a quick refresher

Okay, before we go any further, let’s refresh your memory! What is a B Corp again and why is it so important to us?

Transparency is our trump card! As a B Corp, we put everything on the table, from our business operations to our impact. With our 'Circle of Goodness' we are an open book, which keeps us sharp and motivates us to be better every day. Social impact is central! We donate 50% of our net profit to building toilets in Africa and offer opportunities in our social workshop in the Netherlands to those who need extra support to participate again. In addition, we are committed to a clean planet by keeping our ecological footprint as small as possible. Our toilet paper is an eco-friendly combination of bamboo, kraft and pure recycled paper, without chemicals, dyes or fragrances. Want to know more? Then read our blog about the difference in our roles!

Our Partnership with World Fair Trade Organization

Meet WFTO, the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) is a global network of organizations committed to a more sustainable world. This organization works with 10 principles, all of which contribute to a greener existence. And this is directly in line with our goals! The WFTO offers training and tools to its members to strengthen and support their fair trade initiatives.

WFTO stands for a total approach, in which Fair Trade companies not only pursue profit, but also take people, the environment and the economy into account. It is not just something, it is about a fair world and sustainable change, all interwoven with the SDGs.

Fair Trade is not just about charity, it is about changing the way we see trade. It aims to encourage global change with a focus on social and environmental practices. By supporting local economies and reducing our reliance on imports and exports, we aim to achieve greater economic justice at a local level.

It's not just about making profit, it's about finding a balance between the well-being of the people who produce, the people who buy, and our planet, so that we can continue to grow in the long term.

Fair Trade toilet paper? Of course!

At the moment, our toilet and kitchen rolls are already a much more sustainable choice than other brands. But we want to take it one step 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, a lot of research has been done into the many possibilities of bamboo, including making pulp for toilet rolls. We are committed to supporting these local farmers and at the same time making the surplus of bamboo useful. We buy the bamboo from them for a fair price and process it into pulp in our new factory (completed at the end of 2024). In this way, we not only ensure sustainable toilet paper, but also a fair trade relationship with the farmers in Ghana.

The pulp produced is exported to Europe, where it is converted into toilet paper. Interestingly, one container can hold up to three times as much pulp as the final toilet rolls that are made from it. This efficient transport process contributes to a more sustainable approach, as it takes up less space and therefore requires less transport. This reduces the unnecessary emissions associated with transport, which is beneficial for the environment. Want to know more? Then read our blog about our collaboration with WFTO!

In Conversation with Jeroen, Director of Operations Ghana

Save the best for last! Meet Jeroen! Jeroen is a valuable addition to our team, with a great interest in striving for a sustainable world. He contributes significantly to the team and is a real nerd about topics such as the new factory, fair trade toilet paper and partnerships. And that is exactly what we have focused on! Read the interview Jeroen below!

Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your role within The Good Roll?
Jeroen: “I am Jeroen Zevenbergen and I am 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’d like to tell you about my upcoming trip! I’ll be heading back to Ghana soon to continue our plans. During my stay there, I’ll be focusing on further developing our partnership with local farmers and overseeing the production of bamboo toilet paper.

“I previously lived in Ghana for six months to pilot the program of buying bamboo from Ghanaian farmers, and I saw first-hand the positive impact we can have here. By working closely with these farmers and using their surplus bamboo, we are not only creating environmentally friendly toilet paper, but also promoting economic opportunities and encouraging sustainable practices.”

What exactly does The Good Roll Ghana entail and what are its main objectives?
Jeroen: “We want to shake up the paper industry by 2030 by using bamboo as a raw material. We are going to pay around 50,000 farmers and workers in Ghana decently and improve the lives of around 200,000 people. And that while we produce around 1,000 tons of bamboo pulp every day in our own new factories, without CO2 emissions.

We have several important missions. Especially the local Ghanaian farmers, we want to support them. In addition, we want to produce bamboo pulp as efficiently as possible and we want to become 'net-zero'. Net-zero means that the total greenhouse gas emissions of an activity are compensated by emission reduction or offsetting emissions, with the aim of reducing net emissions to zero.

Soon we will start a new factory in Akosombo that will produce about 25 tons of bamboo pulp every day. It is just the beginning, but we are 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 work with local entrepreneurs as much as possible and always consult local authorities to gain insight into the needs. Below you can see an overview of our main partners in setting up the activities in Ghana.”

Are you joining?

This B-Corp month, The Good Roll is showcasing how we embrace sustainability and social responsibility. By involving local communities in our operations in Ghana, maximizing efficient transportation, and promoting environmentally friendly production processes, we are committed to creating a positive impact both locally and globally. Will you join us?