What Type of Toilet Paper Is the Most Environmentally Friendly?
Studies have shown that the average person uses approximately 20,000 sheets of toilet paper a year or around 100 rolls. This equates to a whopping 50 pounds annually. Unfortunately, much of this toilet paper can be harmful for the environment both in terms of its production and eventual pollution. For this reason, more people are turning to more environmentally friendly toilet paper options. There are now a wide variety of different eco-friendly toilet papers on the market. This article will discuss the available options to help you choose!
Types of Eco-Friendly Toilet Paper
Environmentally friendly toilet paper can be separated into three broad categories. The two primary types are recycled toilet paper and tree-free paper made from bamboo, hemp, etc. There are also biodegradable toilet papers designed for use while camping and hiking or for in RVs and septic systems.
All toilet paper is technically biodegradable. However, paper that is marketed as biodegradable tends to break down far faster and also doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals that could pollute or damage the environment. Most biodegradable toilet papers tend to be thin and only one- or two-ply products to ensure that they biodegrade much more quickly. This has the added advantage of lessening the chances of clogged toilets and pipes since the paper will quickly dissolve as soon as it comes into contact with the water in your toilet.
Recycled Versus Tree-Free Toilet Paper
Tree-free toilet papers made from bamboo, hemp or other materials have grown in popularity over the past few years. These types of toilet paper are much better for the environment since the plants they are made from grow much more quickly than trees. As a result, those plants are much more sustainable sources for the manufacturing process than using trees to make paper.
Nonetheless, these options still have a greater environmental impact than using toilet paper made from recycled materials or cellulose paper made from agricultural waste products. Recycled toilet paper is generally the most environmentally friendly and has the smallest carbon footprint.
What to Look for When Choosing Eco-Friendly Toilet Paper
If you want to choose the most environmentally friendly toilet paper, you should look for a product that is made with 100% recycled materials. In addition, the higher the amount of post-consumer recycled materials the product contains, the less of an environmental impact it has. Most eco-friendly toilet papers will list these numbers directly on the packaging.
In addition to the materials the paper is made from, you should also pay close attention to what other chemicals the toilet paper might contain. Specifically, you should try to avoid any toilet papers that are made using chlorine bleach as this causes major environmental harm. In fact, you should really avoid bleached paper altogether, if possible. After all, is there really any reason that your toilet paper needs to be bright white? In addition, you should try to steer clear of any products that contain fragrances, dyes, or any other types of chemicals.
The only problem with recycled toilet paper is that it tends to be somewhat rough. If you’re used to using soft, cushioned two- or three-ply paper, you might find switching to recycled paper quite a shock. To resolve this comfort issue, you could look for products that are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, which allows you to know that the product was produced sustainably. You could also look for products that have been certified as septic-safe, as these will typically break down much quicker and won’t contain harsh chemicals that could damage the environment.
Another option is to consider installing a bidet in your bathroom since this will allow you to drastically cut back on the amount of toilet paper you use. There are also bidet attachments that can be fitted onto your existing toilet. Although bidets do use some water, this increase in water usage is nothing compared to the huge amounts of water required when making toilet paper.
Professional Plumbing Services
Mullen Plumbing, Heating and Cooling has been serving customers in South Charleston and the Kanawha Valley for more than 70 years. Our team of licensed plumbers is on hand to take care of any plumbing repairs and installations you require. We also have a team of HVAC experts that can install, maintain, and repair your home’s heating, cooling, and ventilation systems. We’ll even handle all your ductwork needs. To learn more about our range of services or to schedule an appointment, give the professionals at Mullen Plumbing, Heating and Cooling a call today.
