Hi, I am wondering if anyone can enlighten me with regards to the 'Safe' brand products. The facial tissues seem to have disappeared (at least from supermarkets near me). The toilet tissue puzzles me, because one variety is labelled "100% post consumer recycled" but does not say whether it's rebleached. The other is labelled "not rebleached" but doesn't say if it's 100% recycled. They are both marked with Planet Ark's logo and the Planet Ark website states that the tissue IS 100% recycled and not rebleached, but I don't know how up to date or accurate that information is. I contacted Planet Ark but got no response at all. (I am getting quite sceptical about Planet Ark. But that's another thread.) I also can't understand why supposedly eco friendly toilet tissue would be packaged in either non biodegradable plastic or non recycled paper packaging (one of the SAFE varieties in each type of packaging). The plot thickens - the SAFE website is not operative, the Merino website (which owns SAFE label) also not operative. I Googled and discovered that Merino was sold by voluntary administrators in Feb 2008. So, is something going down with regards to this company, brand, product? In the meantime, what am I supposed to buy to wipe my rear end - there appear to be no other recycled brands in the supermarket, apart from 'Tree Free' which does not state that it's unbleached and also comes in plastic packaging. And no facial tissues containing recycled paper at all. (We do try to use cloth handerchiefs wherever possible but tissues do come in useful for emergencies.) Hope someone can help. Thank you!!!

The Merino people sold the SAFE brand to someone but I could not find out who either. I suggest giving TODAE a call on

1300 138 483 and they should be able to help you.

They have a large range of eco-friendly products including toilet paper.

Jenny

Hi Karma. Glad you're asking the right kinds of questions. You are right. Merino has been bought by Encore.
"Merino is the fourth largest manufacturer of paper tissue and associated products in Australia. Merino's brands include 'Merino', 'Safe' and 'Earthwise'. Merino is a privately owned company established in 1939. Merino operated its paper tissue manufacturing business from Crestmead in Queensland. The Crestmead site and associated business and assets have been sold to Encore Tissue, an established participant in the paper tissue industry based in Laverton North, Victoria. Encore Tissue was established in 1998 as an integrated highly efficient manufacturer of innovative tissue products. Encore Tissue is owned by the Holckner Family with members of the family involved in the day to day management of the business. "

(13 Feb 2008, from http://www.mcgrathnicol.com/news/Documents/E24-080213-Merino-Press%20Release-WJH%20(2).pdf)

Regarding packaging of toilet tissue, back in 2004 I contacted Encore because their commercial toilet tissues were in plastic while the same items available at Coles under the 'Treefree' brand were in paper. Turns out that most of their equipment was set up for plastic and wrapping in paper was then a relatively new process.

Regarding bleaching, Tree Free it is not re-bleached but is white because its collected white office paper. I don't know about the claims on SAFE, however it may be similar.

Other brands with recycled content are Eve, Naturale, Ecosoft, Envirosoft, Nature Soft, Forest free, Elite, Earthwise & Softex.

Hope this helps for clarity and gives some good alternatives in wiping options.

Cheers, Nick.
Ethical Consumer Group www.ethical.org.au