Before comparing brands, it helps to know what you’re checking for:
| Brand | Material | Bleaching | Packaging | Notable For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiboo | 100% bamboo | Bleached & unbleached options available | Plastic-free | FSC® certified, tree-planting programme, UK-based, flexible subscription |
| Who Gives A Crap | Bamboo or recycled options | Bleached (bamboo range) | Individually wrapped paper | Donates a share of profits to sanitation charities |
| The Cheeky Panda | Bamboo | Bleached and natural-colour options | Mostly plastic-free | Wildlife conservation donations, wide retail availability |
| Naked Paper | Unbleached bamboo | Unbleached | Minimal packaging | Positioned for sensitive skin, though some reviewers report firmer texture |
| Supermarket own-brand recycled (Tesco, Sainsbury’s, etc.) | Recycled paper | Varies | Varies, often plastic-wrapped | Lower cost, widely available, generally the lowest-carbon material option since it reuses existing paper |
A note on that last row, because it surprises people: recycled toilet paper often has a smaller processing carbon footprint than bamboo, since it skips growing and transporting a new raw material entirely. Bamboo’s advantage is more about renewability and speed of regrowth, not necessarily a smaller footprint on every single metric. The genuinely “best” choice depends a little on what you’re optimising for – carbon, plastic, chemicals, or comfort – which is why we’ve laid out the comparison rather than just declaring one winner.
Short answer: some do, but selection and consistency vary.
If you want a consistent, guaranteed supply rather than checking shelves each week, a direct-from-brand subscription (like Tiboo’s) tends to be more reliable than relying on in-store stock, and usually works out similar in price once you factor in delivery.
Rather than one blanket “best overall,” here’s how we’d actually break it down:
We’d be a bit disingenuous writing this guide without saying plainly: we think Tiboo is a strong choice, and here’s the specific, checkable reasoning why –
That said, the right brand for you depends on your priorities – if plastic-free packaging matters most, check the specific product, not just the brand, since ranges vary. If charitable giving is your main driver, brands like Who Gives A Crap lead specifically on that metric. We’d rather you make an informed choice than just take our word for it.
It depends on your priority. For a fully FSC®-certified, plastic-free, UK-based option with both bleached and unbleached ranges, Tiboo is a strong choice. For brands with a charitable donation model, Who Gives A Crap is well known for that. There isn’t a single “best” that wins on every metric – check certifications and packaging on the specific product you’re buying.
Both are considerably better than virgin wood pulp. Recycled paper often has a lower manufacturing carbon footprint since no new raw material is grown; bamboo’s advantage is its very fast regrowth cycle and generally lower water use in cultivation. Neither is a perfect answer on every metric.
Some UK supermarkets stock a limited range of bamboo toilet tissue, though availability varies by store and isn’t always consistent. A direct-from-brand subscription is generally more reliable if you want guaranteed supply.
Often slightly more per roll upfront, though many buyers find it balances out because eco tissue tends to be denser and used in smaller amounts per use. Subscription models with free delivery, like Tiboo’s, also reduce the effective cost compared to one-off supermarket purchases plus delivery.
Yes – bamboo and recycled paper tend to have shorter fibres than virgin wood pulp and break down faster in water, which is why they’re commonly recommended for septic tanks and older UK plumbing.
Want to try it for yourself? Browse Tiboo’s FSC®-certified bamboo toilet tissue range – plastic-free, UK-delivered, and available in both classic and unbleached formats.