Zero Waste Toilet Paper Brands Better For You and the Planet

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It’s no secret that we all use the bathroom. But did you know that there are harmful chemicals on the products we are using on our most sensitive areas? Yep, I am talking about toilet paper. Most commercial toilet paper is loaded with toxic ingredients. Luckily for us, there are a bunch of non-toxic and zero waste toilet paper brands out there today to protect us (and the planet) from those unnecessary dangers.

This is not an article about why you shouldn’t use toilet paper, and I won’t be suggesting reusable toilet paper anytime soon. But there is a big problem with store-bought toilet paper today. Thankfully, there are a lot of better alternatives that won’t expose you to toxic chemicals (or destroy millions of trees per year), so let’s get into it!

But first, the tale of traditional toilet paper. According to Industrial Shredders, toilet paper is made from a combination of water, tree pulp, chemicals, and bleach. Often refered to as “chemical pulp”. Not exactly what I want to be using down there!

The College of Neuropathic Medicine reports a handful of toxic chemicals used in the toilet paper process including chlorine bleach, furans and dioxins, formaldehyde, petroleum-based mineral oils, and fragrances.

These harsh chemicals are known to be highly toxic, linked to cancer, and have even been known to reduce sperm production and cause reproductive malformities. Pretty scary shit… pun intended.

Not only is toilet paper harmful to our own health, it’s also harmful to the health of our ecosystem.

According to FrontierGroup, the average American goes through 140 rolls of toilet paper per year. It’s safe to say TP production is polluting our world and depleting our resources.

Data from The World Counts

Deforestation is also a huge problem, as you can imagine. According to The Good Roll, forests and wildlife in the Canada’s Boreal Forest and the Sweden’s Great Northern Forest (as well as many others) have been decimated. 

It also comes wrapped in plastic which could remain in the landfill or ocean for hundreds of years.

Choosing a more sustainable option, like bamboo or recycled toilet paper, you can reduce your carbon footprint and help with climate change.

Bamboo is a great option because it uses WAY less water to grow. Not to mention, bamboo could be argued as the most sustainable raw materials to exist.

This durable grass has the ability to absorb more carbon dioxide as trees, as much as four times the amount. Bamboo can grow over 30 times faster than hardwood trees. While it grows at insane speeds, it also does not need to be replanted once it’s chopped down, it will immediately start growing back.

Recycled toilet paper is exactly like it sounds. Recycled. Not in the way you may be thinking either. It’s not used TP, it’s used printer paper, newspaper, and other office stationery being derived from the landfill.

This TP is also bleached but not in the traditional sense. Postconsumer recycled paper uses non-chlorine bleaching methods explained here.

Recycled TP is more environmentally friendly and more cost effective than the virgin stuff. 

Sustainable Zero Waste Toilet Paper Brands

Here is some of the best toilet paper not only because it’s free from harmful chemicals, it’s also environmentally friendly and zero waste!

Reel Toilet Paper is 100% tree-free toilet paper (wrapped in paper), and shipped in cardboard boxes.

This 300 3-ply toilet paper roll is made from bamboo making it both biodegradable and sustainable. It also contains no BPA, no fragrances, no chlorine, dyes or inks.

I can speak to experience when I say this product is durable yet gentle on the skin. 

Reel knows how bad our current process is and they are leading the pack in trying to change it. Unlike many of the other brands, Reel can be purchased in store, specifically Walmart. 

Plant Paper comes from FSC-certified bamboo and is tested to be free from bleach, formaldehyde & PFAS. This company’s entire supply chain is plastic free. From the manufacturing to the freight. Absolutely no plastic packaging.

This paper is safe for septic tanks as it breaks down super easily. A single toilet roll contains 200 strong yet soft sheets.

Who Gives a Crap is another great choice for zero waste toilet paper. You can buy Who Gives a Crap toilet paper in either bamboo or recycled as they are on a mission to save the trees.

Their recycled toilet paper uses no virgin pulp to help prevent deforestation. It comes in double length rolls and is 2-ply. This plastic free toilet paper is biodegradable making it easy on septic systems.

I love the colorful designs these rolls come in. I personally like to display the toilet paper rolls in my bathroom to provide it with a pop of color.

If you are looking for a little more softness, their bamboo TP comes in 3-ply sheets as well!

Another option you may want to consider as you make your way toward a zero waste lifestyle is the bidet. Bidets remove over 99% more poo than toilet paper. It also uses less water than traditional toilet paper, only 1/8 gallon per use.

You might think it’s a serious commitment to replace all of your toilet with bidets, but it’s not. Because TUSHY has created a bidet attachment that works with most common toilet brands today (fitting 95% of toilets).

It’s super affordable, plus easy to install, just take off your existing toilet seat, place the bidet onto the bowl, and screw your toilet seat back on. Hook your water supply up and you are ready to roll.

The bidet only uses clean water directly from your water line to clean you. It’s also recommended to have some clean cloths on hand to dry yourself after each use!

This is a good option to reduce your amount of paper!

I hope this article has opened your eyes to regular toilet paper and has convinced you to make the switch to zero waste toilet paper.

If you are interested in reducing your personal carbon footprint even further, these sustainable toilet paper brands (such as Reel and Who Gives a Crap) also make other zero waste products like reusable paper towels and tissues.