View the individual stages below.
1. Bamboo Grows up big and strong in the Forest
Our journey begins in the lush bamboo forests where this incredible plant thrives. Did you know that Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants on Earth? This humble grass is capable of growing up to 91 cm (about 3 feet) in a single day. Unlike trees that take decades to mature, bamboo reaches maturity in just 3-5 years.
This speedy growth cycle means bamboo takes the gold in the renewable resource race, one of the reasons we choose it for our home essentials. Plus, the bamboo we choose comes from FSC certified bamboo forests, so we can be sure that all our bamboo is sustainably harvested, and farmers are treated ethically.
2. Harvested One Pole at a Time to Preserve Biodiversity
When it comes time for our bamboo to get a haircut, we take great care to protect the forest's biodiversity. Each bamboo pole is harvested one at a time, rather than clear-cutting large areas, which happens in virgin tree forests. This selective harvesting method ensures that the bamboo forest remains healthy and continues to support the diverse range of flora and fauna that call it home. By avoiding clear-cutting, we help preserve the forest ecosystem, ensuring it can regenerate naturally and continue to thrive. No Bald patches for our forests.
3. The Poles are Then Chipped and Taken to a Pulp Mill
Once harvested, the bamboo poles are taken to a processing facility where they are chipped into smaller pieces. This is the first step in transforming raw bamboo into ready-to-use pulp. The chipping process helps break down the bamboo into a form that can be more easily processed in the pulp mill, where the magic of turning bamboo into paper begins.
4. The Chips are Pulped into Bamboo Bales
At the pulp mill, the bamboo chips undergo a pulping process. This involves breaking down the fibres in the bamboo chips to create a soft, pliable pulp whilst protecting the long Bamboo fibres that make our toilet roll so silky soft and strong. The pulp is then formed into large bales. These bales are compact, making them easier to transport and store. The pulping process is designed to be as eco-friendly as possible, using methods that minimise chemical usage and water consumption. Our wastewater is recycled using advanced water recycling and filtering facilities. By the end of the process, the water is clean enough for fish to swim in. Nemo-approved.
Making sure our Brown and White toilet rolls are squeaky clean
When chips are turned into bales, they undergo a ‘washing’ process using hydrogen peroxide ( a gentler, biodegradable choice) , ensuring all germs and dirt are removed. After this, brown rolls are processed into brown bales. White toilet rolls continue to another processing tank, soaking in a solution using Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) ( a chlorine free choice) to become white. Our bamboo toilet paper has been proven to contain absolutely no PFAS (forever chemicals which can play havoc with our health.) As a result, our bamboo toilet paper has the edge over recycled pulp, which may contain residues of PFAS.
5. From Bales to 1 Ply 1 Ton Parent Reels
The next stage in the supply chain is converting the bamboo bales into huge parent reels. These parent reels are large rolls of 1 ply paper, each weighing about a ton. Think toilet rolls fit for giants! The transformation from bales to reels involves pressing and drying the pulp, which creates the thin, super-strong sheets of paper that will eventually become finished products. This step is crucial in ensuring the quality and consistency of our bamboo paper.
Converting from 1 ply to 2ply or 3ply ( thicker) Rolls
The parent reels are then fed into converting machines, which process them into the final consumer products. Depending on the desired end product, the machines may convert the 1 ply paper into 2 ply or 3 ply products. This is done by layering multiple sheets of paper together, increasing the strength and absorbency of the final product. Our converting machines are highly efficient, ensuring that each product meets our strict quality and sustainability standards.
6. Rigorous Quality Control
Before our products are going anywhere, they undergo a rigorous quality control process to ensure they meet our very high Cheeky standards. This includes raw material inspection, pulp quality testing, paper formation testing, drying and pressing control, fibre testing, flush-ability testing, hygiene and safety checks. Quality control is a non-negotiable in our production process, designed to maintain consistency, safety, and performance of all our bamboo products before being packaged and prepared for shipment to our UK warehouse.
7. Shipping to our UK Warehouse for onward Distribution with as little footprint as possible.
We use sea freight for all shipments from China to the UK because it has the lowest carbon footprint, thanks to large cargo capacity, slow steaming, cleaner fuels, and emission controls.
In contrast, recycled tissue, despite being converted in the UK, often travels around the world as there isn’t enough recycled pulp available locally. UK converters frequently source recycled materials internationally before final converting and packaging. For example, recycled pulp might come from the USA, be pulped in China, and then shipped to UK converters for final processing.
Our supply chain is straightforward and efficient, saving airmiles and going directly from forest to you.
Environmental Standards
We also ensure that our products and processes comply with environmental regulations and standards. This includes monitoring our use of chemicals, managing waste responsibly, and ensuring that our packaging is recyclable.
Our converting factory uses renewable solar energy, with at least 95% of processing water recycled and reused. Environmental education is prioritised, and we’re proud to boast that our factory multiple environmental awards.
How employees and supply chain workers are treated
As a British business, our employees are based at our London office and also near the Bamboo Forests to ensure quality control and work closer with the local communities where it is most efficient to convert the Bamboo into Tissue. From farmers and chipping workers to production line staff, factory engineers, and sales personnel, everyone in our supply chain is paid above minimum wage. For instance, engineers earn over the National average and receive subsidised accommodation and nutritious meals and our sales teams benefit from enhanced parental leave and flexible working policies.
Sustainability is a journey
We recognise sustainability is a journey of continuous improvement – one pawprint at a time. This year, we moved our supply chain from inland China to the coast, the shortened supply chain reduces our transport carbon. We moved more of our production to a converting factory powered by solar energy, and we’ve also moved our wipes converting to the UK.
At The Cheeky Panda, we champion bamboo as an ultimate decarbonising resource, and our goal is to be able to drive enough demand to accelerate further innovation in the supply chain. We have started to see bamboo farming in the EU, and bamboo pulping facilities being built in Caribbean and Africa.
These exciting developments are the results of innovative companies and your consumer choice, driving demand. Continue to support Bamboo as a decarbonising super plant and fight against forest loss and land degradation We need your support so that we can leave a sustainable planet for our future generations.
View and download a copy of our full supply chain HERE!
