Iowa town encourages residents to 'Wipe Local'

ELDRIDGE, Iowa, July 24 (UPI) -- An Iowa town is hoping to ensure that its local economy doesn't get flushed away by encouraging residents to buy local products.

Specifically, community leaders in Eldridge want citizens to stock their bathrooms with locally-purchased toilet paper.

In order to help promote local businesses that sell toilet paper, the "Wipe Local" initiative, the first portion of a three-part campaign, has been launched.

"We want [people] to be aware that they don't have to continue to go anywhere else when they have everything right here," retail store owner Marilee Schafer told WQAD.

Schafer indicated that buying local TP will help businesses in the area clean up.

"Everyone uses toilet paper and, generally, the average person uses 105 rolls of toilet paper a year," said Schafer. "It would bring in $677,000 back to the community just by buying their toilet paper here in town."

The "Wipe Local" focus of the campaign will last for two months. Eldridge officials will introduce an "Eat Local" campaign in September, followed by a "Gift Local" initiative in December, CBS 2 reported.