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Small changes can make a big impact, from the clothing we wear to the toilet paper we buy. Bamboo toilet paper, for instance, is a far more eco-friendly choice that traditional tree-based toilet paper.
Tree-based toilet paper is responsible for deforestation and the destruction of millions of trees each year. Many major brands source materials from the Canadian boreal forest, an essential ecosystem for preserving our climate. Clearcutting this critical forest leaves it a barren landscape and accelerates the climate crisis.
Fortunately, there’s a more environmentally-friendly solution: bamboo toilet paper, which is derived from one of nature’s fastest-growing and most sustainable resources. Bamboo uses less water and land and even absorbs carbon dioxide from the air.
Plus, it can be turned into toilet paper that’s soft, strong, septic-safe, and sustainable. Read on for the best bamboo toilet paper brands, starting with a closer look at why tree-free toilet paper is an eco-friendly choice for your bathroom shelves.
The Environmental Impact of Conventional Toilet Paper
While we may not think about the environmental consequences of something as mundane as toilet paper, the truth is that traditional toilet paper production takes a major toll on our planet. Here are some of the main issues:
- Deforestation: One of the main concerns is the sourcing of toilet paper from virgin wood pulp, which is mainly obtained from forests. The toilet paper industry contributes to deforestation, particularly in sensitive and carbon-rich ecosystems like the Canadian boreal forest. Clearcutting not only destroys trees but also disrupts entire ecosystems, leading to a loss of habitats and biodiversity.
- Carbon emissions: The production process of traditional toilet paper can be energy-intensive and involves logging, transportation, and manufacturing. These processes release greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change. Toilet paper that ends up in landfills produces methane, which further exacerbates climate change.
- Water and energy consumption: The pulping, bleaching, drying, and transportation stages of TP manufacturing use huge amounts of water and energy.
- Chemicals: The white toilet paper we see on store shelves didn’t start out that color — it’s often bleached with chlorine or chlorine derivatives, which can generate dioxins and other toxic compounds. These pollutants can find their way into bodies of water and pose risks to aquatic life.
Harmful Toxins to Avoid in Your Toilet Paper
Conventional toilet paper doesn’t just have a harmful environmental impact. It also often contains chemicals and other synthetic materials that aren’t so great for our health.
Here are some toxins to watch out for, which you can avoid by opting for sustainable toilet paper.
- Chlorine: Toilet paper is often bleached to achieve a bright white appearance. Chlorine can generate toxic byproducts that have been linked to cancer, reproductive issues, and other health risks.
- Fragrances and dyes: These additives can contain a cocktail of harmful chemicals, including phthalates and parabens. Phthalates are known endocrine disruptors that can interfere with hormone function.
- BPA and BPS: Some toilet paper brands use thermal paper for packaging or as part of their manufacturing process. This paper often contains Bisphenol A (BPA) or its substitute, Bisphenol S (BPS), which have been linked to hormone disruption.
- PFAS: Some toilet papers have been found to contain PFAS, which are a group of “forever chemicals” that have been linked to a variety of severe health issues.
- Formaldehyde: Some toilet paper has trace amounts of formaldehyde. While some manufacturers use formaldehyde to inhibit the growth of bacteria, it’s a known carcinogen.
Why Bamboo Toilet Paper Is a More Sustainable Choice
After learning about all the issues with conventional toilet paper, I switched to bamboo toilet paper and haven’t looked back. Bamboo-based TP is more sustainable than the tree-based kind, since bamboo reaches maturity in three to five years, making it a more renewable resource and reducing deforestation.
It also requires less land and water for cultivation and has natural antibacterial properties. Bamboo is also what’s known as a carbon sequestration plant, as it absorbs more carbon dioxide than trees. Many of the best bamboo toilet paper brands also use eco-friendly manufacturing processes and sustainable packaging materials.
When shopping around, prioritize bamboo that is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified. This certification suggests that the bamboo fibers were sourced in a way that respects human rights and doesn’t negatively impact forests.
It’s also worth making sure that the bamboo doesn’t come from an area where pandas rely on it as a food source. You may also check out TP made from a combination of bamboo and sugarcane pulp, which is another sustainable and biodegradable option.
Note: Getting a toilet with a bidet or adding a bidet attachment to your current toilet is a great way to cut down on toilet paper usage.
11 Best Bamboo Toilet Paper Brands to Try
Here are our top picks for bamboo toilet paper that’s both eco-friendly and non-toxic.
1. WholeRoll Organic Bamboo Toilet Paper ($37.99 for 12 rolls)
USE CODE ECOEDIT20 FOR 20% OFF YOUR PURCHASE!
Whole Roll’s organic vegan bamboo toilet is a hypoallergenic and ultra-soft toilet paper. Its 12 Mega Rolls are equivalent to 45 regular rolls. This TP is also vegan and cruelty-free (some conventional brands use animal-based gelatin to hold the tissue together).
Whole Roll also uses packaging that’s biodegradable, recyclable, and compostable, which aligns with their mission of promoting a zero-waste lifestyle. According to the company, you can re-use the TP packaging as gift wrapping paper and turn the tubes into starter logs.
This bamboo toilet paper is also FSC certified, meaning it meets high standards for environmentally and socially responsible practices. Plus, it’s septic safe, and each roll comes printed with a “happy quote” to brighten your day.
2. Caboo Tree-Free Bamboo Bath Tissue ($34.99 for 24 rolls)
This tree-free toilet paper is biodegradable, septic safe, and gentle on sensitive skin. It’s free of BPA, parabens, and fragrances and uses a chlorine-free bleaching process.
An independent tester also found no detectable fluorine in Caboo’s toilet paper, which suggests that it’s free of PFAS, or forever chemicals that have been linked with a variety of health issues.
This non-toxic toilet paper is hypoallergenic and a sustainable, eco-friendly alternative to traditional tree-based bath tissue.
3. Nature Z Way Bamboo Bath Tissue ($35 for 24 rolls)
Nature Z Way was also found to be fluorine-free, which suggests it doesn’t contain harmful PFAS. This 100% bamboo pulp toilet paper is strong, soft, and cool to the touch.
This unbleached toilet paper is free of chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide and BPA and is fully made from biodegradable materials. Nature Z Way’s bamboo is FSC certified.
4. Noo Trees 100% EcoLuxe Bamboo Toilet Paper ($17.99 for 12 rolls)
NooTrees is another great option for bamboo toilet paper. Everything about this TP is environmentally friendly, even dwon to the outer packaging.
According to NooTrees, bamboo fibers are 20% more absorbent than wood pulp. NooTrees uses FSC-certified bamboo from certified mills and farms. Its three-ply eco-friendly toilet paper is free from BPAs, dyes, chemicals, and fragrances.
5. Silk & Soft No Trees Bamboo Toilet Paper ($19.99 for 12 rolls)
A product of Canada, this three-ply bamboo toilet paper is BPA- and fragrance-free and uses bamboo that’s not a food source for pandas. It’s whitened using an elemental chlorine-free (ECF) process in a low impact, bio-fuel powered facility.
6. Dream Bright 100% Bamboo Toilet Paper ($81.99 for 72 rolls)
It’s made with all-natural, non-GMO bamboo and is hypoallergenic, unscented, and dye-free.
7. BimBamBoo Toilet Paper ($38.99 for 24 rolls)
This 100% bamboo toilet paper is free of BPA, formaldehyde, chlorine bleach, and potentially itchy glues. It’s vegan, meaning it doesn’t use animal-derived gelatin, and is wrapped in recyclable and compostable packaging.
8. Cloud Paper ($47.99 for 24 rolls)
Cloud Paper is as soft as it sounds. The company uses carbon offsetting and is FSC certified. It’s a US-based company that uses 100% plastic-free packaging.
The toilet paper is unbleached, gentle on sensitive skin, and free of chemicals and chlorine.
9. Rizzi Home ($46 for 24 rolls)
Rizzi Home (formerly No. 2 Toilet Paper) makes three-ply 100% bamboo toilet paper that is, according to the company’s trademarked phrase, “butt-crumble free.” It’s also free of ink, dyes, and scent and is septic-tank friendly.
You can set up a subscription with Rizzi Home so your toilet paper comes whenever you like (and can adjust the delivery schedule as needed). The toilet paper comes in plastic-free packaging in wrappers that are printed with soy ink.
10. Public Goods Boxed Toilet Paper ($11.95 for 8 rolls)
This PFAS-free toilet paper doesn’t just use sustainable bamboo — it also contains sugarcane pulp. In fact, it’s made of 30% bamboo and 70% sugarcane. This TP is septic system safe and doesn’t harm any animals or trees in its production.
11. Seedling by Grove Tree-Free Toilet Paper ($5.99 for 4 rolls)
This tree-free non-toxic toilet paper from Grove comes in ultra mega rolls with three-ply sheets. It’s made from 100% pesticide-free, FSC-certified, non-panda food bamboo and comes in recyclable packaging.
Grove Co is also a B Corporation, meaning it meets high standards for environmental sustainability and social responsibility.
Bonus options
Here are a few bonus bamboo toilet paper options that you may find on the shelves of your local grocery store. All of these toilet papers have been found to be free of fluorine and therefore can be considered PFA-free.
- ECOS Treeless Bamboo & Sugarcane Bathroom Tissue
- Open Nature 100% Recycled Paper Bathroom Tissue
- Sprouts 100% Recycled Toilet Paper
Go Green With Bamboo Toilet Paper
So there you have it — the best bamboo toilet paper is soft, septic-safe, chemical-free, and environmentally friendly. It’s a great alternative to conventional toilet paper, which destroys millions of trees every year. Plus, bamboo has an impressive ability to absorb carbon dioxide, helping combat climate change.
The best bamboo toilet paper uses eco-friendly and sustainable production processes and biodegradable packaging materials. By switching to bamboo toilet paper, you can turn your everyday routines into an earth-friendly act and help reduce deforestation around the world.
To make your bathroom even more eco-friendly, switch to a non-toxic curtain and liner for your shower.
