There are some things we all have in common and using toilet paper is one of them. Most toilet paper is made from wood pulp, though some brands include cotton or recycled paper. The cardboard roll is usually recyclable, but the paper itself comes with a much bigger environmental footprint than most of us realize.
As this blog will explore, traditional toilet paper isn’t particularly eco-friendly. We’ll also introduce a more sustainable alternative that many people don’t yet know about bamboo toilet paper. Read on to discover why conventional toilet paper is more expensive than it seems and why bamboo might just be the best choice for you and your family.
The Hidden Costs of Traditional Toilet Paper
There are three major costs of traditional toilet paper, ones most people don't think about.
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Deforestation. Because toilet paper is made from virgin wood pulp, acres of trees must be cut down to fuel large-scale production. Hardwood trees take even longer to replace than softwood, resulting in a net loss of trees. This also causes damage to ecosystems and threatens endangered species.
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Carbon footprint. Processing tree pulp uses a lot of energy and water, resulting in a high carbon footprint and overall environmental damage.
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Chemicals and additives. Toilet paper is typically bleached with chlorine-based bleaches, a threat to the environment. Recycled paper often uses sodium hydroxide or peroxide, which isn't as bad but still isn't great. Some toilet paper has dyes, and some has added fragrances. Toilet paper can also contain toxic residues, including ubiquitous microplastics.
The average Canadian uses 630 kilometres of toilet paper in their life!
Health Risks of Not Using Bamboo Toilet Paper
Traditional toilet paper is not just bad for the environment. It's also bad for you for several reasons:
Chemical Exposure
Traditional toilet paper can contain three types of dangerous chemicals.
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Chlorine bleach. Chlorine can leave trace amounts of dioxins, which are known carcinogens. Exposure can mount up over your lifetime.
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Fragrances and dyes. These can cause skin irritation in some people and carry a risk of allergic reactions and hormonal disruption. If you must use traditional toilet paper, choose unfragranced brands.
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Formaldehyde and BPA. Some brands of toilet paper also use formaldehyde and BPA, which can be absorbed through your skin and cause problems. Formaldehyde can also cause skin irritation and is potentially associated with cancer, while BPA is an endocrine disruptor associated with reproductive problems in the male offspring of exposed mice.
Skin Sensitivity and Allergic Reactions
Some people can react badly to the chemicals in toilet paper, developing skin sensitivity or allergic reactions. Children and elderly people are at higher risk, as are those with eczema or dermatitis.
You might change brands several times and still not find relief, because the problem is the bleach or chemicals left over from manufacturing.
Long-Term Exposure Concerns
All these exposures are low, but we use toilet paper several times a day, every day of our lives, with women generally using more. This daily contact adds up, especially if you have chronic inflammation or a weakened immune system. Even minor health impacts are worth making a simple switch.
Bamboo as a Safer Alternative
In contrast, bamboo toilet paper is a safer alternative. It contains no BPA or harsh chemicals. Bamboo is typically not dyed, which can take some getting used to, and has no fragrance.
On top of that, bamboo has natural antibacterial characteristics. These characteristics protect the bamboo plant from disease while it is alive, and processing reduces bacterial-promoting compounds more than antimicrobial ones. People also tend to be less likely to have an allergic reaction to bamboo.
What Makes Bamboo a Better Choice?
Bamboo may be better for your health, but is it better in general? There are four reasons why you might want to make the switch:
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Fast growth and renewability. Anyone who has managed to get bamboo in their yard knows it grows fast. Under ideal conditions bamboo can grow almost a meter in a day! It's the fastest-growing plant on the planet. Furthermore, it's a species of grass and can be cut down to its roots and will regrow. Bamboo groves, called culms, can be harvested every three to five years.
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Less resource intensive. Harvesting bamboo takes a lot less effort than cutting down mature trees, and bamboo material takes less energy to turn into toilet paper (or a variety of other products, bamboo is used to make textiles, musical instruments, coffee filters, disposable cups, even copy paper).
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Less chemical processing. Bamboo also requires less chemical processing. It's a lot easier to find unbleached bamboo paper, which is chemical-free. Look for the creamy colour. This is good for the environment and for you and is great for people who react badly to chlorine bleach.
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Naturally antibacterial properties. Bamboo is naturally antimicrobial, reducing contamination, including potentially lowering the risk of UTIs.
Is Bamboo Toilet Paper Comfortable?
Some of you might be mentally looking at bamboo and wondering if toilet paper made from it can possibly be comfortable. In fact, bamboo toilet paper is both soft and strong, meaning it's comfortable and you use less of it. Bamboo toilet paper is typically three-ply, and many people find it is both more absorbent and more comfortable because of softer fibres.
It works well for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Most people who make the switch never look back.
Cost & Accessibility
Is bamboo toilet paper more expensive and difficult to find? Bamboo toilet paper is a bit more expensive than regular toilet paper, but because of its durability you often need to use less of it.
However, it is sometimes hard to buy in the store that is why GreenBirdi is coming out with our very own bamboo toilet paper that can be shipped right to your door!
Other Bamboo Bathroom Alternatives
Bamboo isn't just great for toilet paper. You can also get bamboo paper towels for cleaning, bamboo tissues, and bamboo wipes. Bamboo paper towels are more durable and can even be reusable. And you can get bamboo bath towels too! Bamboo textiles are much more sustainable than cotton as bamboo grows faster and uses less water.
Every Roll Counts
Sometimes small changes make a huge difference. Just switching to bamboo toilet paper can have a great impact. It's a win for the environment and for your personal health and that of your family.
Traditional toilet paper is bad for the environment and potentially your health. We use kilometres of it every year and it all contains chlorine bleach and virgin wood pulp. On the other hand, bamboo toilet paper is often unbleached, softer on sensitive skin, free of chemicals, and comes from the fastest growing plant on the planet - making it amazingly sustainable!
Think about the sheer amount of toilet paper you use and make the switch to bamboo today. Your body and our planet will thank you!
GreenBirdi Bamboo Toilet Paper Coming Soon
If you are interested in trying GreenBirdi’s bamboo toilet paper sign-up to be notified when it is available and receive an early bird discount.
