Elephant Dung Paper Making Process

Elephant dung is very fibrous as elephants only digest 45% of their food, making it a good material for making paper! On average an elephant will eat 200-250kg of food a day, producing approximately 50kg of dung. Enough to make 115 sheets of paper per day!

1. The dung is washed and boiled to kill any bacteria. Not as bad as it sounds, elephant dung doesn't smell!
2. A mild bleach is added that will not harm the environment.
3. The dung is spun for up to 3 hours to cut the fibres.
   Colour is also added.
4. 300g balls are rolled, enough to distribute over a
   frame. Mulberry paper is made in a similar way.
5. The frames dry naturally in the sun. No 2 sheets of
   paper are identical as the coarseness is dependant
   on the elephants diet!
6. The paper is gently sanded to make it smooth enough to write on.
7. A range of products are made by local people
   employed at the centre.