9 Best Eco-Friendly Toilet Papers in 2022 (Environmental Scientist-Reviewed)
There are quite a number of eco-friendly, tree-free toilet papers available now. The only issue is finding the right one. In this guide reviewed by an environmental scientist, we’ll go over the factors you should consider when choosing the right eco-friendly toilet paper for you. At the end, we also have a list of our 9 favorites to help you get started, including our top choice by Green Forest.
Quick List - Top Eco-Friendly Toilet Papers
Gwen Lynn is an environmental health and safety scientist who provides environmental and safety consulting and monitors air, land and water resources. She is also the founder of In A Green Minute, who creates podcasts and informational videos on environmental progressiveness and green technology.
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The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
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How to Choose Eco-Friendly Toilet Paper – Buying Guide
Look for Tree-Free Materials Like Recycled Paper and Bamboo
Recycled Paper is Resourceful but Can Be Rough
However, due to inconsistencies in the paper used as well as the process of turning already processed paper into further processed paper, toilet paper made from recycled materials can feel rougher or less soft than paper made from virgin wood.
Bamboo is Sustainable and Comfortable
Since it comes from virgin material, bamboo toilet paper tends to be quite a bit softer on average than recycled paper.
1-Ply Uses Less Material, but 2- or 3-Ply is Softer
On the other hand, 2- or 3-ply paper is noticeably softer on your behind, which can be especially important if it’s made from a naturally less soft material. But it uses more material, and you’ll likely find yourself going through rolls at a much faster rate.
Look for Toilet Paper That’s Free from Harmful Chemicals
Chemicals such as bleach, chlorine, and BPA are often found in rolls of toilet paper made from both trees as well as recycled paper. These chemicals can be harmful for both us and the environment, and it’s best to look for paper that explicitly states it’s made without them.
A side note: Recycled toilet paper does contain trace amounts of BPA that comes from recycled thermal receipt paper, newspaper, and so on.
But don’t worry: it’s in incredibly small concentrations. Simply reading a newspaper would expose you to more BPA than wiping recycled toilet paper would. Still, it’s up to you to decide if you would rather just avoid the risk altogether.
Septic Safe Paper Breaks down Quickly and isn’t Just for RVs
For one thing, having toilet paper that will break down quickly will help prevent any (toilet paper-related) pipe blockages, which can give some peace of mind to those who live in older buildings.
More importantly, though, septic safe paper that breaks down quickly won’t end up in the landfill. While all toilet papers are designed to break down before it reaches the solid waste filtration level of the sanitation process, quite a bit of it actually doesn’t dissolve and ends up contributing to waste.
Tube-Free Rolls Reduce Waste Further
If you’re focused on reducing waste, then a tube-free roll might be something you want to look for. Just note that the paper might not unroll as smoothly and can look a little messy as you get toward the end.
Official Seals and Logos Add Legitimacy to Claims
However, it’s important to remember that just because a product has a green label doesn’t automatically make it a quality product. On a similar note, if a product doesn’t have a seal, that doesn’t make it a bad product, either.
9 Best Eco-Friendly Toilet Papers
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Green Forest Premium 100% Recycled Bathroom Tissue | | Indistinguishable from Conventional Toilet Paper | |
2 | Seventh Generation 100% Recycled Bath Tissue | | Untreated Paper That's Great for Sensitive Skin | |
3 | Silk'n Soft Bamboo Toilet Paper | | Soft and Absorbent for a Regular Toilet Paper Feel | |
4 | Rebel Green Tree Free Toilet Tissue | | Tree-Free and Carbon Neutral | |
5 | WholeRoll Organic Bamboo Toilet Paper | | Organic Paper for Conscious Consumers | |
6 | NooTrees Bamboo 3-Ply Bathroom Tissue | | Soft and Sturdy Bamboo Paper | |
7 | Bim Bam Boo Tree-Free Toilet Paper for Sensitive Skin | | For Sensitive Skin and Robust Plumbing | |
8 | Caboo Bamboo Bath Tissue | | Great for Those with Chemical Sensitivities | |
9 | Georgia-Pacific 2-Ply Embossed Toilet Paper | | Huge Pack of Certified Recycled Paper |
Green ForestPremium 100% Recycled Bathroom Tissue
Indistinguishable from Conventional Toilet Paper
Many reviewers note that this toilet paper is on par with conventional papers in terms of both look and feel and ahead of other recycled brands by leaps and bounds.
Seventh Generation100% Recycled Bath Tissue
Untreated Paper That's Great for Sensitive Skin
However, it is the most expensive product per-roll on this list and might not make financial sense to those who don’t need completely chemical-free paper.
Soft and Absorbent for a Regular Toilet Paper Feel
It’s pretty absorbent, and several reviewers have noted that these last longer than other bamboo rolls. Good thing too, since this toilet paper is also a bit more expensive.
Tree-Free and Carbon Neutral
Additionally, in order to make up for the carbon used in transportation and processing, the company donates cookstoves to women in developing nations who would otherwise be cooking over dangerous, polluting open fires.
WholeRollOrganic Bamboo Toilet Paper
Organic Paper for Conscious Consumers
However, if you’re looking for pillowy soft, this isn’t going to be the toilet paper for you. Some reviewers also find it a bit stiffer than other options. But if you like some structure, great!
NooTreesBamboo 3-Ply Bathroom Tissue
Soft and Sturdy Bamboo Paper
However, it’s quite thin for three-ply, and some reviewers note that the surface can be a bit too smooth and requires you to scrunch instead of fold. So if you’re a folder, you might want to look for something with a bit more grab.
Bim Bam BooTree-Free Toilet Paper for Sensitive Skin
For Sensitive Skin and Robust Plumbing
However, though this toilet paper claims to be septic safe, several reviewers have noted that it doesn’t break down very well and may lead to problems in septic toilets as well as buildings with older pipes.
Great for Those with Chemical Sensitivities
However, despite being two-ply, the paper is quite thin, and you may find yourself using more to make up for it. It also isn’t as soft as a traditional two-ply, so you might be better off thinking of this as single-ply.
Georgia-Pacific2-Ply Embossed Toilet Paper
Huge Pack of Certified Recycled Paper
It comes in a huge 80-roll pack that can last a family several months. However, as this pack is designed for use in public spaces, each roll comes individually wrapped, which is irritating at best and wasteful at worst.
Is Reusable Toilet Paper a Thing? Is it Safe?
The first issue is hygiene, naturally. Whether you use it to clean up after just pee, or both pee and poo, used cloths are going to harbor some serious bacteria, and everything that comes into contact with it (including your washer, dryer, and any other laundry that you do with or after it) runs the risk of picking up some pretty gnarly germs.
Which leads to the next issue–unless you already do laundry every day, you’re probably going to have to do laundry much more often than you do now, which uses more water and electricity. So unless you’ve got a bidet and are just using cloths to dry off after, it’s probably better to stick with disposable toilet paper.
More Bathroom Products for Your Private Time
Maybe you've decided your toilet isn't clean enough, or maybe you want to switch to regular toilet paper after all. We've got you covered!
Top 5 Eco-Friendly Toilet Papers
No. 1: Green Forest｜Premium 100% Recycled Bathroom Tissue
No. 2: Seventh Generation｜100% Recycled Bath Tissue
No. 3: Silk'n Soft｜Bamboo Toilet Paper
No. 4: Rebel Green｜Tree Free Toilet Tissue
No. 5: WholeRoll｜Organic Bamboo Toilet Paper
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.