I had just moved out of my parent’s house the day I understood that it’s a difference in toilet papers. Back then, it was a question of paper quality.
Today, I am more concerned about the environmental impact of the toilet paper I use.
Therefore, I started to explore more and more about recycled toilet paper. And after several hours of research, I found out that none of my local supermarkets sold anything like that. After all, I was living in a pretty small town (Oslo).
However, I was able to buy some packs of recycled toilet paper from Amazon, which made me able to explore a whole new type of toilet paper. And…even better, I was able to publish this article – so you can also see the benefits of going for some proper eco-friendly toilet supplies. 🙂
Table of Contents
- In a hurry? There are my recommendations
- 1. Betterway Bamboo Recycled Toilet Paper – Our favorite
- 2. Caboo Tree-Free Toilet Paper – Best budget option
- 3. WHOLEROLL Bamboo Toilet Paper- Without a cardboard in the middle
- 4. Green Forest Unscented Bathroom Tissue – Most sustainable option
- 5. Seventh Generation – Extra soft
- 6. Bim Bam Boo – Vegan & Plastic Free
- Things to consider when buying eco-friendly toilet paper
- Why buy recycled toilet paper?
- Tips
- Top Brands of Recycled Toilet Paper
- FAQ
- Video: This is how recycled toilet paper is made
- Video – This is how you make recycled toilet paper at home (DIY)
- Wrapping it up
- Other eco-friendly product recommendations
In a hurry? There are my recommendations
If you want to read more about these environmentally friendly toilet papers: feel free to scroll down.
You might actually learn something. 😉
1. Betterway Bamboo Recycled Toilet Paper – Our favorite
This 100 % bamboo toilet paper is our favorite. It combines eco-friendliness with comfort in the absolute best way possible.
- The softest bamboo toilet paper I’ve ever tried
- 100 days money back guarantee (yes, you read that right)
- No plastic
- Works well for all skin types
- The paper is approved by Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
From what we can see, Betterway Bamboo Recycled toilet paper is also winning a lot of other “Best of” lists.
And it’s because it has a unique combination of these three elements:
- Made out of 100 % bamboo
- Made out of recycled materials
- No plastic wrapping
- And a decent price
…which has led to a stunning 3500+++ positive reviews on Amazon. For a toilet paper brand, those types of numbers are almost unheard of.
Organic bamboo
When we talk about Betterway, we don’t only talk about a toilet paper company who came up with super comfortable paper. This is more than that.
First of all, all the bamboo is harvested from panda-free zones. Also, all the bamboo used in these toilet papers have been grown in an organic way. Thirdly, 12 rolls of Betterway is (according to the company) as efficient as 20 normal toilet paper rolls. That is because you need to use less of Betterway in order to “get the same job done”.
Amazing.
Product specifications
| Brand name | Betterway |
| Number of rolls | 12 double rolls |
| Best feature | Overall winner |
2. Caboo Tree-Free Toilet Paper – Best budget option
If you’re looking to save the world, saving your wallet and at the same time using an eco-friendly toilet paper: buy this product from Caboo.
- More than 2500 positive reviews on Amazon
- Very good price
- Made out of bamboo and sugarcane bagasse (Wikipedia link)
- Very soft and comfortable
- 24 rolls in each pack
I have been working with bamboo products all my adult life. And I can say right now: you do not get cheaper bamboo toilet paper than this.
At least not if you want something that is soft and can easily be ordered online. Caboo Tree Free Bamboo Toilet Paper is amazing – simple as that.
“No trees were hurt in the process”
That is a big thing actually. Now that we can get super comfortable and affordable toilet paper made out of bamboo, I reckon we will see a shift in the whole industry.
Caboo has shown us that it’s possible.
Why is it eco-friendly?
There are several reasons why buying this environmentally friendly toilet paper helps the world. Let us list the most important factors:
- BPA-free
- No fragrance or odor
- No parabens
- No chlorine
- And at the same time soft and affordable.
Isn’t that amazing?
Product specifications
| Brand name | Caboo |
| Number of rolls | 24 |
| Best feature | Cheap |
3. WHOLEROLL Bamboo Toilet Paper- Without a cardboard in the middle
Did you know that some toilet paper comes without the brown cardboard tube in the middle of the paper roll?
Most people don’t know that. But if you think it sounds like a good idea: Wholeroll Bamboo Toilet Paper might very well be for you.
- Made out of 100 % bamboo
- Unbleached
- Absolutely unscented (which is actually a plus)
- This product has an overall very small environmental footprint
If you want to think a bit differently, buying toilet paper without the “unnecessary” cardboard in the middle of the roll could be an option.
This is a product for those of you who dare to think differently.
Can a normal toilet holder be used?
No, it cannot.
And that is the big problem with these cardboard-less toilet papers. If you have a sink very close to the toilet, it is one possibility to add the toilet paper close to the sink. However, it’s not an ideal option.
The box contains 18 rolls that are all unbleached.
Product specifications
| Brand name | Wholeroll |
| Number of rolls | 18 |
| Best feature | No cardboard |
4. Green Forest Unscented Bathroom Tissue – Most sustainable option
If you don’t care about comfort or price at all, but only on how you can save the world: go for Green Forest.
- ade out of recycled paper fiber
- Few reviews on Amazon
- No added fragrances
- Very clean and eco-friendly
The introduction text might have been a bit “harsh”. I am not saying that this toilet paper brand is very uncomfortable.
Because it’s not.
However, this is definitely a toilet paper brand that care more about the environment than it does care about the consumer. The price is a bit steep. And the comfort? Well, it’s not nearly as comfortable as some of its competitors.
Product specifications
| Brand name | Green Forest |
| Number of rolls | 12 double rolls |
| Best feature | Environmentally Friendly |
5. Seventh Generation – Extra soft
With more than 10,000 reviews on Amazon, you can clearly say that Seventh Generation is the pinnacle of eco-friendly toilet paper.
- Best reviews on Amazon.
- Sold worldwide
- The paper quality is really high (and by “high”, I mean “soft”). 🙂
- Absolutely affordable.
Everyone who has been working in the eco-friendly industry for a while have heard about “Seventh Generation”. This brand was one of the first brands who introduced a 100 % recycled bath tissue on the market.
And they did so with great success.
Not only is the toilet paper itself recycled. The packaging is made out of recycled plastic, which is amazing.
Comfortable
You might be worried that some of the recycled toilet papers feel a bit itchy and harsh?
No need to worry. Seventh Generation is just as soft as normal toilet paper. One of the big differences is that Seventh Generation don’t use any fragrances or dyes.
Product specifications
| Brand name | Seventh Generation |
| Number of rolls | 48 |
| Best feature | Very soft |
6. Bim Bam Boo – Vegan & Plastic Free
This toilet paper does not only have the funniest name on Amazon.
It also has a lot of great features.
- Vegan (no animal-derived gelatin)
- Plastic free
- Very soft
- 24 rolls in a package
- Amazon’s Choice
It’s worth mentioning that Bim Bam Boo is very good for people with sensitive skin. Also, the paper is soured from FSC Certified bamboo.
Are you also looking for a toilet brand who works hard to reduce plastic wrapping: go for this product. Believe it or not, but there is no plastic at all related to the product itself nor the packaging.
Product specifications
| Brand name | Bim Bam Boo |
| Number of rolls | 12 |
| Best feature | Vegan |
Things to consider when buying eco-friendly toilet paper
Toxic materials (bleach and chlorine)
Not many people are aware of what happens in the paper industry. Personally, I have been working with Chinese manufacturing companies for about a decade.
When I began to understand how many toxic chemicals that would be found in “normal paper”, I was shocked.
First of all: the bleaching process is common among all toilet paper companies. Chlorine bleaching is done in order to make the paper LOOK more white. Before you ask: no. It doesn’t have any other functionality than to LOOK white.
That’s why I would always recommend people to choose unbleached toilet paper. On Amazon, you will find a lot of chlorine-free products to choose from. I have recommended several of them in this article.
Made out of recycled paper
I mean: this is the whole point of buying environmentally-friendly toilet paper, isn’t it?
In fact, many major toilet paper companies have made a shift in recent years. Previously, they chopped down the forests to make your comfortable toilet paper. These days, they have started to use recycled paper instead.
This is done in one of the following two ways:
- Toilet paper companies recycle paper in a “normal” way.
- In some cases, they also source paper from landfills.
What about buying bamboo toilet paper?
If you’re a regular on this website, you already know my fascination for bamboo products. Bamboo is a super great alternative to normal paper.
Not only is the manufacturing process very clean when it comes to bamboo home accessories. It is also the fastest-growing tree on the planet, which makes it super sustainable to use in consumer products.
Bamboo toilet paper is indeed a very good and sustainable product. However, I would still urge you guys to consider recycled paper before you go for the bamboo alternatives. Not only because they are more comfortable – but also for the sake of the environment.
Why buy recycled toilet paper?
– It’s environmentally friendly. Toilet paper is terrible for the environment. Not only does it consist of a lot of chemicals, but we are also chopping down the forest to produce paper. According to Brondell.com, we flush 27,000 trees down the drain every day (!). That is massive.
– Not necessarily (a lot) more expensive. Alright, I’ll admit that you have to increase your “toilet budget” a bit. However, recycled toilet paper does not necessarily need to cost more than 20-30 % more compared to what you usually buy. That’s a small cost for saving the world. 🙂
– You’re supporting an eco-friendly industry. This is something that I value a lot when buying eco-friendly products. Most of them are both more expensive and less efficient. However, by making the choice of buying products from companies that offer eco-friendly products or services, you help them survive.
Let me take my car as an example. I hate my car. It’s an electric vehicle that barely lasts 160 kilometers before I have to charge it. From my home to my cabin, it’s a 300-kilometer ride. You do the math.
However, I know that I supported the company that was willing to spend a lot of money and resources to develop a green product. And therefore, I chose to buy it.
Tips
- Check the packaging clearly.
- Avoid companies that try to greenwash.
- Buy online in bulk. It will be delivered to your doorstep.
- Buy one of each package. Continue to buy the one you like the best.
- Choose eco-friendly paper. Always.
Top Brands of Recycled Toilet Paper
You might not have heard of them. But there are a couple of players who dominate the whole “recycled toilet paper niche”. I am not joking.
The same brands that were most prominent on Amazon were the EXACT same ones that I could find on some Norwegian websites as well. Damn. That’s what I call world domination.
Seventh Generation
Seventh Generation is a company that has been producing 100 % recycled toilet paper for quite a while. Their flagship product is a box that contains 48 rolls – and that can be purchased easily through Amazon.
This company claims to use NONE chemicals in their product, which is, quite frankly, amazing. To be honest, this is the first time I’ve seen that a company has been able to make recycled paper whitened without using bleach or chlorine.
Envision
Envision offers an EPA compliant toilet paper that is made from 100 % recycled paper. Their box contains 80 packs, which gives you a quite low price per toilet paper roll.
In general, I’d say it’s a reason why these two are so famous. They’re also the best and most comfortable.
FAQ
One way of eliminating toilet paper from your house could be to install a bidet at home. It’s a bit more hassle than having a normal toilet – but bidets are actually starting to become more and more popular.
Another solution is to purchase one of these super fancy Japanese toilets with a washing device installed in the toilet. I live in Thailand and got one of these at home.
They’re superb.
It would. However, these toilet paper companies have made a lot of effort in order to make them white.
I guess white is a more appealing color for most people when it comes to toilet paper.
If you do choose to buy online, I would recommend that you buy at least 50 rolls.
Not only is toilet paper something you’re going to use (no matter what). It’s also more eco-friendly to buy in bulk when you shop online.
Naah… they’re not for me. I tried one of them when I lived in Shanghai. It just feels very weird – and I would never have that as my primary solution at home.
To me, it’s like saying “why don’t you just go in the shower after going to the toilet?”.
It’s recycled from paper that you use very day. Not necessarily from “old toilet paper”. Some might be worried that you will wipe your private area with something that’s already dirty. That’s not the case.
Video: This is how recycled toilet paper is made
This short Youtube video will help you out to understand how recycled toilet paper is made:
Video – This is how you make recycled toilet paper at home (DIY)
I wanted to add this video to the article. It features how someone goes through the whole process on their own to make their own recycled toilet paper.
Is this something you should start to do?
Well – I am 100 % sure it’s a very sustainable way of getting your toilet paper. On the flip side, it seems very time consuming and stressful.
As they say on Shark Tank: “I’m out”. 🙂
Wrapping it up
Pun intended. I’m not sure if the correct grammatically term for the usage of toilet paper is “wrapping up”.
But I still found it quite hilarious.
Recycled toilet paper is more expensive compared to “normal” toilet paper. But it’s also more eco-friendly. That’s something that can be said about nearly all everyday products out there. If you want to go for the sustainable version, you would have to pay up. Sad, but true.
However, I will recommend buying in bulk. And you might think: “Well…yeah, but are you sure these toilet paper brands you recommend are any good?”.
I would say: yes. I do know that. I’ve tried several bad ones – and I can say that these brands are not listed in this article.
Choosing a more environmentally friendly toilet paper will have a huge impact on the planet – for several reasons.
- It helps to protect biodiversity
- Slows down climate change
- And obviously: prevents deforestation
- You support companies that try to make a positive impact in this world
After using environmentally friendly toilet paper for half a decade: I’m sold.
What’s great is that you don’t have to compromise your financial situation nor comfort. The very best eco-friendly toilet papers are just as comfortable and cheap as the eco-harmful options out there.
Other eco-friendly product recommendations
I’ve had this blog for about four years.
In that time, I’ve bought and tested an awful lot of eco-friendly products. And the best thing of all?
For most of them, I’ve written a big and helpful review article so that other people can utilize my findings:
thanks for a great article. Are you buying recycled toilet paper every time or was this just a “one time thing”?
Hello Jamie.
Frankly, I’m not buying recycled toilet paper every time. That being said, it wasn’t a “one time thing” though. 😉
I found them equally comfortable to “normal toilet paper”, which means I can easily buy them next time without feeling the difference. And if that makes a difference to the world (positive contribution)…why not?
I’ve used recycled toilet paper for the last week. Not on purpose, but because I rented an apartment in Barcelona.
I would say…it’s 100 % identical to “normal” toilet paper. Put some people on a blindfold and let them wipe their ….., and I can guarantee that they wont feel any difference.
I wonder why not all toilet paper manufacturers are forced by the government to make recycled toilet paper?
I don’t think they should make a law. But I agree that the governments should give some type of incentives to make people purchase eco-friendly products. That’s for sure.
Recycled toilet paper isn’t just as good. In my opinion, this article is a bit too positive:
– It’s more expensive
– It’s not as soft (at least what I think)
– It’s harder to find
It’s a reason why 99 % of the toilet paper sold is non-recycled.
Very interesting. I never bought recycled toilet paper – until now.
Will try to buy the one you suggest on Amazon. If it feels the same and costs almost the same, I think I will make the switch forever. One thing is sure: I will not tell my wife. ANd then i’ll see if she can see any difference….or rather FEEL any difference 🙂
Sounds like a good test 😉
I can see that the Seventh Generation toilet paper is out of stock on Amazon?
Do you have any idea when it will come back in?
Oh, wow!
I’m sure it’s because of the COVID-19 situation. I haven’t been in touch with them, but I’m sure it will be back in stock shortly.
But aren’t they less comfortable?
To my understanding, the paper becomes less soft when it’s recycled
Hello,
no, I did not feel anything less soft. Not sure if toilet paper becomes less soft when recycled. To my understanding, it should become even softer? 😛