Eco Friendly Toilet Paper
Here is a list of companies that are committed to delivering earth-friendly alternatives to traditional toilet paper. The use of bamboo as the primary material is aligned with my sustainability goals. Bamboo is a renewable resource that grows rapidly, releases oxygen into the atmosphere, is completely biodegradable, and takes up less land than forests. Consequently, these brands are reducing their global and environmental impact. Unlike traditional toilet paper (i.e. Charmin, Angel Soft, Cottenelle, etc) these brands AVOID the use of harsh chemicals such as fertilizers, pesticides, wood chips, BPA, bleach, chlorine, and dyes.
I researched various toilet paper brands and picked my favorites:
This is my favorite eco-friendly bamboo toilet paper brand. It is chlorine free + dye free, naturally grown and harvested organic bamboo. BPA free, no recycled products used, packaging uses a process called biological pulping. Adhesive (water-based) used on toilet paper is to seal the roll at the end, naturally grown and harvested organic bamboo sourced and manufactured in China. Toilet paper is not FSC certified.
$69 for 36 individually wrapped rolls ($1.92 ea.)
Feel | Rating: 3 PLY, EXTRA SOFT + DURABLE | 5/5
Tushy Bidet $119 Highlights: automatic self-cleaning nozzle, naturally anti-microbial knobs, temperature control, optimized pressure + angle control for a targeted spray. Requires no electricity or additional plumbing. (Must be near a sink to function properly.) Using a bidet is considered to be the most environmentally friendly method, since it is completely toilet paper free.
Chlorine + dye free: whitens using elemental chlorine-free (ECF) bleaching.(See below for additional information regarding ECF). Packaging uses water-based inks and FSC certified. Made in renewable and protected, naturally grown bamboo forests in China. Boxes are made from cardboard. BPA free and no recycled products used. Give back mission: helps provide access to clean toilets for those in need.
TP: $29.99 for 24 individually wrapped rolls ($1.24 ea.)
Feel | Rating: 3 PLY Extra soft + durable + Lint-free | 5/5
Paper Towels: $32.00 for 12 rolls ($2.66 ea.) Absorbent + strong + fits perfectly in a standard paper towel holder. | 5/5
Chlorine + dye free. Bamboo toilet paper is whitened with elemental-free chlorine. Plastic free; only using paper wrappers and recycled cardboard. Packaging is recyclable and is able to be composted. BPA free and is third party tested to ensure. Company noted that they are unable to 100% guarantee that the products are BPA free because each batch is different. If BPA exists it is a miniscule amount. Made in China and not FSC certified. Give back mission: 50% of profit helps build toilets for those in need.
Bamboo TP: $36 for 24 individually wrapped rolls ($1.50 ea.)
Feel | Rating: 3 PLY semi soft + piling + tearing + lint | 2.5/5
Tissues: $24 for 12 boxes ($2.00 ea.)
Feel | Rating: semi soft + durable | 3.5/5
Paper Towels: $18 for 6 rolls ($3.00 ea.) D
Feel | Rating: Stiff + difficult to roll of paper towel holder + significantly smaller in height than a standard size paper towel + not very durable | 3/5
Chlorine + dye free: whiten by using chlorine free method. Soybean ink is used for packaging. Made from 100% bamboo or 100% recycled materials. Should not contain BPA, and is tested regularly to ensure. Not able to guarantee complete BPA free status due to potential minuscule amounts. Made in China and is FSC certified. Give back mission: partner with One Tree Planted to plant one tree for every box sold.
BAMBOO TP: $49.50 for 48 individually wrapped rolls ($1.03 ea.)
Feel | Rating: 3 ply soft + minor lint | 4/5
Chlorine + dye free. Made in China and is FSC certified. BPA + BPS free. Plastic-free and utilizes recyclable and compostable packaging. Invests in large-scale forest preservation efforts around the globe. Mission: Tree-free and carbon-neutral deliveries.
TP: $28 for 24 individually wrapped rolls ($1.17 ea.)
Feel | Rating: 3 ply super soft + durable | 4/5
THRIVE MARKET
Chlorine + dye free: whitened without bleach and obtain white color by only using hydrogen peroxide. Made in China and grown without irrigation or pesticides. FSC certified. Plastic package is recycled and recyclable. Uses a blend of bamboo and post consumer recycled content. Currently does not contain BPA, however a BPA testing is in process to confirm.
TP: $6.99 for 12 (¢.58 ea.) *Thrive membership required*
Feel | Rating: 2 ply + piling + lint + tearing | 2/5
Comparison to conventional toilet paper sold:
Charmin 12 Mega Roll (equivalent to 48 regular rolls) is $13.49 (¢.88 ea.
per MEGA roll or ¢.28 ea. per REGULAR roll)
BountY: 6 Double Rolls (equivalent to 12 Regular rolls) is $9.99 ($1.67
ea. per DOUBLE roll or ¢.83 ea. per REGULAR roll)
Resources provided:
* Elemental chlorine-free (ECF) bleaching. ECF means the paper is bleached using chlorine dioxide, hydrogen peroxide, and oxygen. It does not use elemental chlorine gas during the bleaching process so it prevents the formation of carcinogens. Chlorine dioxide, however, is chemically bound to oxygen so it doesn't bioaccumulate (meaning living things don't absorb it). In fact, according to the American Forest and Paper Association, ECF whitening is a pollution prevention technology recognized and accepted globally by such organizations as the United Nations Environment Programme, the European Commission, the International Joint Commission, and the International Court of Justice.
* ECF is an alternative bleaching agent that eliminates the formation of persistent, bioaccumulative toxic substances. Because of its environmental and economic benefits, the ECF bleaching process is by far the technological choice for sustainable pulp and paper manufacturing globally; a shift that now represents more than 95 percent of worldwide pulp production. Domestically, ECF bleaching is recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as being the “Best Available Technology” to bleach paper products. Some people would still prefer to not have their toilet paper, or other products, whitened, however, if it's coming from any sort of paper pulp and it's white then it's more than likely whitened using ECF.