The Good Roll Boosts Ghana’s Bamboo Economy With First Fair Trade Pulp Factory

The Good Roll, a proud member of GNBCC, has launched Ghana’s first Fair Trade-certified bamboo pulp factory, setting a new benchmark for sustainable industry and bamboo innovation. This modern facility processes locally sourced bamboo into pulp, the essential material for their sustainable, tree-free toilet paper. Even before operations officially commenced, all production capacity was fully booked, reflecting immense demand.

Built on the foundation of Fair Trade principles, the factory is not just a manufacturing hub but a catalyst for economic empowerment. It employs 150 local workers and supports over 1,000 farmers, providing stable livelihoods and boosting community prosperity. Co-founder Sander de Klerk highlights that their efforts have already increased farmers’ incomes by 30%, creating meaningful improvements in their daily lives.

Bamboo, often underutilised in Ghana, is now gaining recognition for its remarkable properties. The Good Roll’s focus on bamboo stems from its impressive sustainability: it grows up to 40 times faster than traditional trees, consumes less water, and absorbs significantly more carbon dioxide. On March 17, the first bamboo pulp boards were produced, ready for shipment to Spain where they will be converted into finished toilet paper. By shipping compact pulp boards instead of bulky toilet rolls, the company reduces transport emissions and improves efficiency.

The Good Roll’s vision reaches well beyond simply making paper. Half of its net profits fund sanitation projects in Africa, and to date, the company has already built over 250 toilets, improving thousands of lives — with many more to come.