I’ve recently switched to a more sustainable toilet paper after having done a bit of background research (ok – pun intended), and really love one brand in particular “Who Gives A Crap”, not just for their toilet paper (and their toilet humour), but also for the work they are doing building toilets in places that need them most around the world.
WHY DO I LIKE "WHO GIVES A CRAP"?
Having lived in rural Zimbabwe, I have seen first-hand and experienced some of the issues related to lack of water and poor sanitation. The training centre where I worked, had what’s known as a Blair toilet, (or Blair Latrine), which is essentially a pit toilet, or hole in the ground, originally designed in the 1970s, but through large-scale projects, they were deployed throughout rural Zimbabwe in the 1980s after Zimbabwean Independence to improve rural sanitation.
The first time I entered our blair toilet a girdled lizard took fright (and so did I) and landed on me!! After that, I always hated having to make the journey through the maize garden to the loo, as I never knew what creepie crawlie was lurking in the corners of the toilet!!
But if you want to get a real behind-the-pipes look at what “Who Gives a Crap” is doing, check out this video from one of their partners, WaterAid (America) – another brand I love, which is the reason that today I support WaterAid with a monthly donation.
BAMBOO VS RECYCLED TOILET PAPER: WHICH IS MORE ECO-FRIENDLY?
The average person in the UK uses 127 toilet rolls every year, with an estimated 7 million trees felled to meet national demand. It adds up to a shocking price for such a simple thing (Naked Sprout), so it doesn’t take an expert to realise that cutting down forests for single-use paper products is poor environmental practice — not least when handfuls of the product we’re talking about is literally being flushed down the toilet.
While recycled toilet paper is made differently from bamboo toilet paper, both products offer great sustainability benefits. Bamboo toilet paper is a much better option for the environment than your typical virgin paper toilet roll, but is it better than recycled toilet paper?
Bamboo (neosincalamus affinis species) is often grown in deforested lands, and it’s usually cultivated and imported from China and Asia in general, so bamboo toilet paper has a large carbon footprint if exported to the UK. Recycled toilet paper diverts paper products from landfills; however, some companies use a small percentage of virgin paper to make recycled toilet paper stronger. Overall, both options are better for the environment than 100% virgin paper and there are pros and cons for both choices:
Bamboo Toilet Paper
Bamboo is becoming increasingly popular as a tree-free toilet paper option. Bamboo paper products are manufactured in much the same way as regular paper — the plant is broken down into fibres and turned into a pulp, which is then fermented naturally, a process similar to home composting, and is then pressed onto large wrapper wheels that form long scrolls and is dried. Finally, these long rolls will be cut short for a more suitable size.
Switching to bamboo toilet paper can make a positive impact on the environment because:
- Bamboo doesn’t come from trees– Bamboo looks like a tree, but it’s actually tall grass, making it a key player in the fight against ongoing deforestation. Bamboo crops can thrive in a variety of climates. They occupy less space than boreal forests, don’t need to be replanted once harvested, and don’t require the use of fertilizers or pesticides.
- Bamboo is super sustainable– It’s one of the fastest-growing plants on the planet and can grow up to 20 times faster than some trees and uses less water than other plants. While the average tree takes a year to grow one foot, bamboo can manage that growth in one hour. This makes bamboo a wonderful alternative to reduce deforestation rates!
- Bamboo emits more oxygen than trees– Studies show that bamboo gives off 35% more oxygen than trees, and absorbs 30% more carbon than trees, removing up to 12 tons of CO2 per hectare in a year. Bamboo products also produce 30% fewer greenhouse gases than those made of virgin fibre, according to the US National Resources Defence Council (NRDC).
the comfort factors
While you want your toilet paper to be sustainable, that’s not the only factor that matters—comfort does too. Fortunately, bamboo toilet paper also offers the following personal benefits:
- It has beneficial properties– Bamboo is naturally hypoallergenic thanks to longer fibres which trap fewer dust particles, it’s great for people with allergies.
- It’s safe for your plumbing system– Bamboo is completely biodegradable, making it the best toilet paper for plumbing systems as it will break down faster than traditional and recycled toilet paper, some of which can take several years to fully decompose. Its quick-dissolving nature makes bamboo toilet paper septic-safe and less likely to clog systems than traditional toilet paper.
- It’s more natural– Since the manufacturing process for recycled toilet paper involves sanitizing, which means it’s chemically treated, bamboo toilet paper undergoes a much more natural manufacturing process with less potential for harsh chemicals.
Environmental Pitfalls
Bamboo is not a perfect solution, however, as a 2019 report by the NRDC points out that hardwood forests are now being destroyed just to make room for bamboo plantations. The production of bamboo toilet paper often involves clear-cutting forests and can result in soil degradation and loss of biodiversity, so it’s important to buy only bamboo products that are FSC-accredited.
Bamboo is a monoculture, a form of agriculture that is based on growing one type of crop at a time, with very little genetic diversity. Monocultures can have detrimental effects on the environment; they reduce the amount of organic matter in soil and can lead to erosion. The soil is less able to absorb rainwater, leading to flooding and an increased need for irrigation. Nothing else grows or lives there. They might look green but they’re a desert devoid of any other life.
The fact that most bamboo is imported from Asia adds to its environmental impact, too, as importing a sustainable alternative thousands of kilometres by diesel container ship seems counterintuitive to say the least.
Related: BAMBOO – A PLASTIC ALTERNATIVE
Recycled Toilet Paper
Recycled toilet paper is made from paper products that have been discarded and then recycled, such as textbooks, office paper, newspapers, and magazines but, it can also come from pre-consumer wood sources (like wood offcuts and wood chips).
The process for making recycled toilet paper is entirely different to the production of bamboo toilet paper; firstly, any metal waste (such as staples, pins, metal binders etc), is separated from the paper, which is a process that can sometimes be very inefficient.
The paper is then shredded into scraps that are soaked and stirred in warm water to remove any ink that may be left over on the paper.
Then the paper is pulverised and pulped and is sanitized for hygiene—after all, it wouldn’t matter how environmentally friendly recycled toilet paper is if it wasn’t safe to use. Some brands use oxygen, ozone, sodium hydroxide, or peroxide to whiten or bleach the paper, (this is different to regular toilet paper which usually uses chlorine dioxide to bleach the paper). From there it is mixed with a lot of water and sprayed onto screens before being put onto reels, where it gets pressed and dried to complete the process.
But when compared to the pros and cons of bamboo toilet paper, how does recycled toilet tissue stack up environmentally? Pretty well, as it turns out. Recycled toilet paper also has lots of eco-friendly pluses, such as:
- Reduced deforestation – While recycled tissue paper still comes from paper (unlike bamboo toilet tissue), it lessens the demand for freshly cut trees since it’s made from existing paper.
- Less waste – Since “recycled” is in its name, this might seem like an obvious point to make. That said, its waste reduction benefits go beyond the repurposed paper used to make it. It even reduces water waste. Regular toilet paper uses roughly two times the water compared to the amount of recycled toilet tissue in production.
the comfort factors
You might also be wondering about your comfort when considering recycled toilet paper. Maybe you’ve heard rumours that it’s scratchy and uncomfortable, or you’re worried it will be too thin. If so, you can rest assured knowing that recycled toilet paper also has its fair share of personal perks:
- You’ll have an easier time finding it in shops – More and more people have been learning and investing in sustainability. Increased awareness is a win for the planet and its increasing popularity ensures that eco-friendly paper products are more accessible to consumers. In comparison, you would’ve had difficulty finding recycled toilet paper anywhere but online a few years ago. However, more eco-conscious brands are offering it in stores now.
- It’s a good option for low-flow toilets – Not everyone has access to super-strong plumbing. If you live in an RV, spend a lot of time on boats, or have weak pipes in your home, recycled toilet paper can be a godsend. Its weaker fibre means it dissolves easier in water and won’t flood your toilet as conventional toilet paper does on occasion.
Environmental Pitfalls
Recycling paper requires fewer harsh chemicals compared to making virgin pulp, but it still necessitates the use of some chemicals to eliminate impurities from the raw materials. Unfortunately, a large amount of this recycled content, including thermal paper (e.g. glossy receipts, lottery tickets, and shipping labels), contains bisphenol-A (BPA). BPA is a toxin that is present in recycled toilet paper and has been linked to infertility, high blood pressure, and other health issues when ingested. The environmental consequences of flushing BPA-laden paper down the toilet are even more concerning as it can disrupt the reproductive systems of aquatic wildlife, causing a ripple effect that could permanently alter ecosystems.
Moreover, the term “recycled” has become a vague, misunderstood, and unregulated greenwashing term in the toilet paper industry. Some products are marketed as “recycled” even though their percentage of recycled content is low. Therefore, it’s crucial to purchase products containing at least 50% post-consumer recycled content to ensure the most significant environmental benefit.
Since bamboo and recycled tissue paper offer several environmental perks, both sides win in this debate. You can feel confident that you’re making a fairly positive environmental impact no matter which one you pick. It all just comes down to your preferences for more sustainable toilet paper!
BRAND RECOMMENDATIONS
The most reliable way to guarantee that your toilet paper is responsibly sourced is by searching for environmental certifications. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification is the most prestigious, guaranteeing that products are obtained from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic advantages. This certification can even be applied to bamboo products. The FSC’s “tick tree” logo is one of the most well-known in the paper industry. To save you time, I’ve compiled a list of brands that I’ve already researched and confirmed to meet these requirements.
WHO GIVES A CRAP
With “Who Gives a Crap” you can choose whether you want to switch to bamboo or recycled toilet paper, as they do both! Their ethical practices really set them apart from other toilet roll brands:
- Use of recycled materials: their toilet paper is made from 100% recycled paper fibres, including post-consumer waste such as office paper and books. By using recycled materials, the brand reduces the demand for virgin wood pulp, which helps to preserve forests and wildlife habitats.
- No chlorine or dyes: The production process avoids chlorine bleaching and the use of dyes, which can be harmful to the environment and human health. This practice reduces the release of harmful chemicals into waterways.
- Absence of inks or fragrances: The toilet paper does not contain inks or fragrances, further minimizing potential environmental and health impacts associated with these additives.
- Plastic-free packaging: The brand avoids plastic packaging by using recycled paper to wrap its toilet paper rolls individually! Plastic packaging is a significant contributor to pollution and waste, and eliminating it helps reduce environmental harm.
- Social impact: The brand also focuses on social sustainability by donating 50% of its profits to help build toilets and improve sanitation in developing countries. This approach addresses the global sanitation crisis and supports communities in need.
- Carbon-neutral shipping: This brand also offsets the carbon emissions generated by its shipping and transportation activities, making its distribution process carbon-neutral.
Overall, Who Gives a Crap demonstrates a holistic approach to sustainability by considering factors such as material sourcing, production processes, packaging and social impact. Their emphasis on recycled materials, plastic-free packaging and offsetting carbon emissions is really contributing to their reputation as a more sustainable toilet roll brand. bamboo toilet rolls are also available from RE:GN the sustainable marketplace, who are offering free postage on orders of £35 and over.
BAZOO
Bazoo’s toilet paper is not only the world’s first carbon-negative product of its kind, but it is also environmentally friendly by following all of the previously mentioned brand’s sustainability guidelines. The company also donates 10% of its profits to two partnership charities that help alleviate environmental damage through protection and conservation initiatives. These charities include:
- Rainforest Trust: A trusted conservation charity that works with local NGOs and indigenous communities to protect the world’s most threatened rainforests and tropical ecosystems. With over 30 years of experience, the Rainforest Trust has already secured over 24 million acres of threatened habitat.
- Just One Ocean: A UK-based ocean conservation charity that uses science, education and communication to protect the ocean for future generations. The organization focuses on plastic pollution as one of the greatest threats facing the ocean. Just One Ocean conducts its own research projects on this issue and supports scientists worldwide in finding solutions.
BUMBOO
Not only are Bumboo’s bamboo toilet rolls eco-friendly, but the plastic-free packaging can be added to your compost or food-waste bin instead of being recycled. With Bumboo, you can also sign up for a subscription to make restocking much easier and while it’s not made in the UK, the company plants a tree for every purchase offsetting their shipping footprint through Eden Reforestation projects.
So far they have planted over 130,000 trees and aim to have planted 500,000 by the end of 2023.
All Bumboo’s products are:
- Tree-free made from 100% bamboo
- 100% plastic free – their products come in fully recyclable, biodegradable and compostable packaging, printed using soy-based inks
- FSC® certified (100%)
- Free from de-inking agents, formaldehyde and BPA associated with the paper recycling process
- Free from pesticides and fertilisers, scents and dyes
NAKED SPROUT
Naked Sprout is also revolutionising how recycled toilet paper is manufactured.
With the world’s only B Corp tissue factory being powered by onsite renewable energy (over 8,000 solar panels!), they’re producing zero emissions and are completely fossil fuel free. Their factory also has a biomass plant and a water treatment plant.
The brand also supports many local charities throughout this journey, 317 in the UK to be precise, and for every Naked Sprout box sold, the company provides a child in Kenya safe water at school. Naked Sprout supports the life-saving work of Just a Drop. Since 1998 Just a Drop has reached over 1.9 million people in 32 countries.
“switching to naked sprout from bamboo tissue manufactured in china saves enough carbon to charge a smartphone 2, 873 times. and switching to recycled paper manufactured in the uk saves enough to boil water for 1,000 cups of coffee.
if everyone in the uk made the switch to naked sprout, even if they were already using recycled toilet paper manufactured in the uk, the savings would be the same as running 385 wind turbines for a whole year”.
naked sprout 2022 impact report
THE CHEEKY PANDA
The toilet roll brand “The Cheeky Panda” is also one to be considered more sustainable than others for several reasons. From sustainably sourced materials and biodegradability to being chemical-free and its social impact, these are just a few of the reasons why.
The Cheeky Panda became a part of the B Corporation (B Corps blog link) family in July 2019 and has since remained certified. This certification is awarded to businesses that meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance, showing that they can balance both profit and purpose.
As a B Corp, they support the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, with a specific focus on the following:
- Providing fair living wages across all operations
- Ensuring that their supplier code of conduct covers topics such as compensation, freely chosen employment, and working hours
- Carbon balancing all products, not just toilet paper
- Implementing a company-wide recycling program
- FSC certifies all their products
- Providing training opportunities for all employees
- Supporting Save the Children through regular donations
By achieving B Corporation certification, The Cheeky Panda is committed to making a positive impact on society and the environment.
Currently, the carbon emitted by their production and shipment process is offset by our donations to the World Land Trust, which helps to protect and rebuild the Khe Nuoc Trong rainforest in Vietnam, home to exceptionally rare and threatened wildlife, with many species found nowhere else on earth.
FEEL GOOD
Feel Good is the newest loo roll addition to all of the UK’s supermarket shelves is truly sustainable (even in its packaging). It’s not just the eye-catching, plastic-free packaging that makes it stand out of the crowd.
This brand produces all its toilet rolls exclusively in the UK whilst keeping transparent about its manufacturing process, transforming discarded magazines and newspapers into a high-quality end product. The loo roll’s absorbency is impressive, and it has decent tear strength.
PRESTO!
Crafted entirely from recycled cellulose materials, such as wood and paper, this toilet paper is both gentle and absorbent, with well-spaced perforations and makes another perfect sustainable toilet roll you can buy in bulk.
While the sheets may be narrower than some alternatives, each pack of nine offers a lasting supply without taking up too much storage space. Keep in mind, however, the product is not manufactured in the UK, and though the packaging is visually appealing and the product in it is very sustainable, it is still made from plastic!
SERIOUS TISSUES
Serious Tissue’s toilet paper is proudly manufactured in the Midlands, UK, reducing the carbon footprint of this product as it is shipped locally rather than globally.
Every single loo roll is made from 100% recycled paper, and are free from any unnecessary chemicals such as dyes or perfumes.
The company is also proud to be partnered with various associations that run tree-planting projects all over the world, providing employment for local communities. Currently, their partners are planting trees in countries such as the UK, Nepal, Indonesia, Madagascar, Mozambique, Kenya, Ethiopia, Haiti, Colombia, and Central America.
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