Is Your Toilet Paper Really Eco-Friendly? How to Check the Labels

Let’s begin with why we should care in the first place. The average individual gets through to 100 rolls of toilet paper per year. Multiply that by millions of individuals and that is a lot of energy, trees, and water going down the drain literally.

Regular toilet paper is usually manufactured from virgin wood pulp, and newly planted trees are harvested just to produce something we use once and send down the loo. Adding insult to injury, production typically involves harsh chemicals such as bleach, dyes, and perfume that not only harm the planet but can also harm skin that is sensitive.

So the next time you’re holding a packet that says “green” or “natural,” ask yourself: Is your toilet paper really eco-friendly?

Not everything in packaging is honest. Some businesses use buzzwords that are sound environmentally friendly but are actually of no significance at all. These are what to be on the lookout for when examining the packaging:

1. Materials Used

This is the most accurate sign. If it says “100% virgin pulp” on the packaging, it’s not green. Rather, be on the lookout for:

• Recycled paper: Preferably post-consumer recyclate.
• Bamboo: Bamboo is a crop that grows quickly and does not need replanting, no pesticides, and very little water.

Production of substitute fibers such as bamboo loo rolls ends deforestation and is far more environmentally friendly. Ensure always that the source is marked.

2. Certifications

True labels are frequently supported by third-party certification. These are:

• FSC (Forest Stewardship Council): Ensures the wood or bamboo product has been harvested from sustainably forested land.
• EU Ecolabel: Ensures that the product will have a less significant environmental impact over its lifetime.
• Carbon Neutral or Carbon Offset: Assures that the brand is trying to reduce or offset their carbon footprint.

If unsure, check the organisation’s website reputable certifiers typically state what their label actually means.

3. Bleach and Additives

Ask yourself: Is your toilet paper really eco-friendly if it contains bleach, dyes, or perfumes? A truly eco roll should clearly say “unbleached,” “chlorine-free,” or “processed without chlorine (PCF).”

Steer clear of anything that’s had additional color and fragrance added to it you don’t require it, and the chemical compounds used on it will do damage to your body and the environment too.

Certain important details are easy to overlook if you’re not completely focused. Watch out for:

• “Greenwashing” terms: “Eco-safe,” “natural,” or “tree-friendly” are only meaningful if some real facts or credentials back them up.
• Deceptive advertising: A roll might be marketed as being sustainable on the label, but if “virgin pulp” is listed as an ingredient, it’s not.
• Subtly vague environmental claims: Check for quantities, such as “made from 100% recycled paper” or “uses 70% less water.”

So once more, you would inquire: Is your toilet paper truly green, or is it employing underhanded marketing?

It’s not just what’s in the package. The package counts, too.

• Avoid plastic wrap: Wherever possible, avoid plastic wrap. Use paper-based or compostable packages.
• Where plastic must be used, ensure that it has the label “recyclable,” or preferably, already recycled.

Other companies take it one step further and bulk ship using absolutely no plastic at all. That level of thought demonstrates that the company is very concerned about the environment. 

Green toilet paper is also kinder on your skin. Because it avoids the harsh chemicals of regular rolls. Bamboo Toilet tissue, for instance, is a hypoallergenic plant-based one and thus a clever option for allergy victims or sensitive skin.

By purchasing green ones, you’re also stopping potential toxins from reaching your most sensitive areas so it’s also a health victory and an eco one at that.

Some UK brands have made their name synonymous with transparency, ethics, and truly being green. Tiboo is one such example, offering eco-friendly toilet paper made from sustainable bamboo and packaged without plastic. These are the kinds of companies that are setting a new standard. Without too much spoiling it, this is what the good ones do have in common:

• Use 100% bamboo or recycled fibres 
• Clearly state their sustainability certification 
• Avoid using bleach or putting anything in 
• Have plastic-free packaging 
• Give some proportion of profit back to nature 

When you next do your shop, keep this in mind: Is your bathroom roll actually green, or just faking it?

You’d probably think green toilet paper is expensive. Sure, some of the premium ones are. But there are now affordable brands that have recycled and bamboo toilet paper. And why, you’re saving in so many ways:

• Less product for skin irritation
• Less environmental damage
• Long-term savings if you subscribe or buy in bulk

And consider this each dollar of toilet paper you spend is a vote for what kind of world you’ll be living in. So next time you’re selecting something to buy, just ask yourself: Is your toilet paper truly green, and is it worth spending a little more to buy something better?

The sustainable toilet paper segment is expanding at a much quicker rate. Individuals are getting more aware of their choices, and that is leading to innovation from fiber grown from forests to compostable packaging material to even carbon-negative manufacturing.

You can be a part of the revolution by simply reading labels and making smart choices. It’s one of the simplest ways to live green, and it all begins with a question: Is your toilet paper actually sustainable?

We all pass our waking lives on toilet paper, but never make the effort to question how it got there and how it was produced. By checking labels, searching for believable certifications, and keeping an eye out for greenwashing jargon, you can make an informed, eco-friendly choice.

So the next time you are doing your weekly shop at the supermarket or buying online, don’t be tempted to pick up the softest or cheapest one. Turn the pack around, read the packaging, and ask yourself: Is your toilet paper actually eco friendly?