Nothing screams “fun and engaging” like a discussion about wiping bums, amiright!? #boymom
In all seriousness, switching up your toilet paper is an easy swap that can really help the environment. Traditional toilet paper brands make their TP from ‘virgin pulp,’ meaning lots of trees are needed to produce TP for your daily post-coffee movement (you know what I’m talking about). Conventional toilet paper is also wrapped up in lots of plastic packaging, which takes forever to break down.
As there’s been a shift towards more sustainable products in general, there’s never been a better time to consider switching to a better choice toilet tissue – there are a lot of good products out there! So let’s dive into the environmental impact of traditional toilet paper, and talk about some of the best eco-friendly toilet paper options to consider when switching up your bathroom tissue.
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Environmental Impact of Regular Toilet Paper
You don’t have to have lived through the toilet paper shortage of early 2020 to realize that toilet paper is an essential item – especially in the United States. But conventional toilet paper production is not kind to our planet. It requires lots of raw material to produce, and the loss of these trees alone is damaging to our ecosystems. According to the NRDC, traditional toilet paper made from virgin materials has three times the environmental impact of TP made from recycled materials.
- Back in 2010, National Geographic reported that 27,000 trees are cut down each day just for TP
- The U.S. leads the world in toilet paper consumption, with the average American going through 28 pounds of TP per year
- In fact, the average American uses 130 toilet paper rolls each year
1. Bamboo Toilet Paper
Bamboo is becoming a popular alternative to traditional toilet paper as a tree-free option. Similar to the manufacturing process for traditional TP, bamboo is broken down into bamboo fiber, and then they create a pulp that is used to make the product. But the big difference is that bamboo grows like crazy. Bamboo’s reputation as one of the best sustainable materials is justified:
- It’s the world’s fastest growing plant and can grow up to 4 feet/day
- Bamboo plants can grow in many climates
- Bamboo doesn’t require harsh chemicals like fertilizer
- Bamboo is generally 100% biodegradable and is considered safe for septic tanks
Of course, bamboo is not a perfect solution. With the majority of bamboo imported from Asia, you need to consider the environmental impact of shipping, logistics, etc.
My favorite bamboo toilet paper:
- Who Gives a Crap – Cute prints, plastic-free packaging, carbon-neutral shipping and they offer subscription models
- Reelpaper – Plastic-free packaging and they offer free shipping with their subscription model
- Cheeky Panda – Recyclable, paper packaging and shipped to your door (courtesy of Amazon)
2. Recycled Toilet Paper
Recycled TP is a more eco-friendly option than conventional toilet paper because it doesn’t require virgin wood pulp, which lessens the impact of deforestation. In addition to saving trees, recycled paper requires less water and energy use compared to manufacturing traditional toilet paper with raw materials.
Depending on the paper that was recycled, there is a risk that your TP is contaminated with chemicals that could be flushed down the drain and enter our waterways. Another potential source of chemical contamination comes from the bleaching process. Yup – manufacturers use chlorine bleach to make soft toilet paper for your tushy. Who knew!?
When buying recycled toilet paper, look for options that are made of at least 20% to 60% post-consumer recycled content and that are chlorine-free. [PCF (processed chlorine-free) label — meaning it’s been bleached using less toxic methods — or, better yet, the TCF (totally chlorine-free) label.]
My favorite recycled toilet paper:
- Who Gives a Crap – Cute prints, plastic-free packaging, carbon-neutral shipping and they offer subscription models
- Whole Foods Market 365 Everyday Value – OK, so my knock on this TP is that it’s wrapped in plastic and they ask you to “please attempt to recycle the plastic. However, if you already shop at Whole Foods or use Amazon’s grocery delivery, this swap couldn’t be easier for your first-time trying non-conventional toilet paper!
- Seventh Generation – Although it’s easy to find Seventh Generation products at most grocery stores, Target, and add them to your Amazon shipment (bonus, this one qualifies for Subscribe & Save), I have the same gripe with the “recyclable plastic” packaging.
3. Reusable Toilet Paper – The Ultimate Eco-Friendly Alternative to TP?
Yup, I went there. Reusable cloth toilet wipes know as ‘family cloth.’
Stay with me here. I realize I’m jumping away from a “simple swap” and suggesting a very intimidating, crunchy, hippie (all the adjectives) alternative. But, there’s something intriguing about – literally – NOT flushing money down the drain.
I’m not saying I’m ready to try this for number two, but for a quick wipe after I pee? Why not?! A) I do laundry every day anyway, so I wouldn’t be concerned with the cloths sitting around and getting stinky. B) I love the idea of reducing the number of rolls I personally use every year. C) I’m a sucker for cute-patterned anything. I think this proves it!
I’ve just ordered some to try out – who is ready to join me?!
- Marley’s Monsters – surprise prints, made in Oregon, 100% washable & reusable
- Reusable Bamboo Baby Wipes – See!? This isn’t that weird…we’re already doing it for babies!
The Bottom Line (See what I did there?!)
The good news is that in recent years there have been many advances in sustainable toilet paper and consumers have more options than ever! I’m also encouraged to see more manufacturers using recyclable packaging and plastic-free packaging. Even though toilet paper products aren’t usually the first thing on people’s sustainability swap list, I love that we have eco-friendly alternatives that are great options for simple swaps.
So, what is the best option? Whatever is easiest for you and your family to buy regularly and stick with!
I’m going to be diving into alternatives for paper towels soon since that’s one of the first swaps I made in my household.
Additional Resources:
I’ve linked sources of my information, but if you want to learn more about purchasing sustainable alternatives and making sure you’re not falling victim to greenwashing, here are some additional resources:
Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) The NRDC fights for every person’s right to clean air, clean water, and a healthy community.
Forest Stewardship Council – their labels can be round on toilet rolls and helps you take care of the world’s forests by making informed purchases.
Rainforest Alliance – this seal means that the certified product or ingredient was produced using methods that support the three pillars of sustainability: social, economic, and environmental.
Green Seal – the Green Seal certification mark is a universal symbol that a product or service meets the highest benchmark of health and environmental leadership.