Bamboo and recycled toilet paper are eco-friendly alternatives to regular toilet paper, but which is the best choice between the two? Homeowners are now looking for environmentally friendly toilet papers that are flushable and septic safe. Bamboo and recycled are popular choices. However, you need to decide on which one you should use at home. To help you get started, we have shared the differences and advantages of both toilet papers.

What is the difference between bamboo toilet paper and recycled? Bamboo toilet paper is made from bamboo which is a sustainable and renewable product. On the other hand, recycled toilet paper is made from recycled materials. Bamboo toilet paper is 100% biodegradable and flushable, but since it is imported and made from cultured bamboo, it can be a bit expensive. On the other hand, recycled toilet paper is also biodegradable and comfortable to use, but it uses chemicals in its production which can harm the septic system.

Is bamboo toilet paper better than recycled toilet paper? Why is bamboo toilet paper so expensive? What is the most environmentally friendly toilet paper? These are some of the questions that we will discuss in this article. Check out the rest of the article below to learn more about bamboo and recycled toilet paper.

What is Recycled Toilet Paper?

Recycled toilet paper is made from recycled materials. It has a lower environmental impact as compared to toilet paper that uses virgin fiber. Recycled toilet paper is usually made from raw materials that come from post-consumer sources like magazines, newspapers, and office paper, from pre-consumer sources, like offcuts from printers, or wood pulp.

Is Recycled Toilet Paper Better?

Recycled toilet paper helps in decreasing the demand for trees to be cut and also reduces the amount of material that goes to landfills. Moreover, recycled toilet paper also reduces the number of materials such as energy and water that go into the manufacturing process. Furthermore, producing recycled toilet paper requires 28% to 70% less energy consumption as compared to making regular toilet paper.

Recycled toilet paper requires the use of chemicals and energy and to break down and mix the recycled paper. Moreover, the production also makes use of chemicals for whitening, inking, and dying of toilet paper. BPA is often used to process recycled toilet paper. However, the problem with BPA is that high exposure is often linked to heart disease, fertility problems, and other health conditions. Moreover, every time paper is recycled, it loses its quality. Paper can only be recycled up to six times before the fiber gets too weak.

What is Bamboo Toilet Paper?

Bamboo toilet paper is an eco-friendly alternative to regular toilet paper. It is made from bamboo which is considered as one of the super plants. Bamboo can grow up to 39 inches in just a day which makes it a sustainable source for different products like toilet paper. It is also renewable and regenerates once it is cut. Bamboo toilet paper is soft but strong and easily dissolves in water. You can also check out this article that discusses if toilet paper is made from recycled paper. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.

Why is Bamboo Toilet Paper Better?

One of the major benefits of bamboo toilet paper is that it does not contribute to the problem of deforestation. Bamboo is a resilient plant that can adapt and grow even in inhospitable conditions. It does not need as many nutrients as compared to trees or other plants. Bamboo is also renewable and can re-grow after it is harvested. It does not need replanting and also requires less water as compared to trees.

On the other hand, bamboo needs to be shipped to other countries miles across the ocean. This uses releases carbon emissions and also adds to its cost. Also, most large brands are still using bleach to produce bamboo toilet paper which is not only unnecessary but is also harsh for the environment.

Is Bamboo Toilet Paper Better than Recycled?

Both bamboo and recycled toilet papers are eco-friendly products, but when it comes to both health and environmental benefits, bamboo toilet paper is an excellent choice. Recycled toilet paper is usually made from recycled paper materials while bamboo toilet paper is made from cultures of bamboo that are specifically grown to produce toilet paper.

Recycled toilet paper is more affordable as compared to bamboo toilet paper. This is because toilet paper made from bamboo takes time to produce which is why the end product also becomes more expensive. The raw materials for making recycled toilet paper are easy to acquire and there is no culturing that is involved in the production.

Bathroom toilet paper is smooth and soft to the touch but is also strong. On the other hand, recycled toilet paper can be stiff to the touch. Most of the time, bamboo tissue paper is imported from China while recycled toilet paper is available in the US.

Does Bamboo Toilet Paper Block Drain?

Bamboo toilet paper is comfortable to use and does not block drains. It is soft enough to use and easily breaks down in the water. Because bamboo toilet paper dissolves easily, it is flushable and allows water to flow freely through the pipes without clumps of toilet paper clogging them up. Avoid using 3 or 4-ply toilet paper because it can easily clog the drains. The same goes for using too much toilet paper. 1 to 2-ply toilet paper is a good choice and will not clog your drain.

Why is Bamboo Toilet Paper so Expensive?

The main reason why bamboo toilet paper is so expensive is because of scale. It is not a big industry as compared to regular toilet paper. The companies that produce bamboo toilet paper are not able to do things on a massive scale to lessen the cost to make it. Another reason is the bamboo harvesting and processing cost. Bamboo is not a tree and the pulp is more difficult to process.

Because bamboo toilet paper is a smaller operation, the cost to market it to the consumer is greater most especially because it needs more money to promote. It can be hard to promote because the product is not what people are usually looking for or used to. For an in-depth discussion about this topic, you can also check out this article titled, why is bamboo toilet paper so expensive?

What is the Most Environmentally Friendly Toilet Paper?

Bamboo toilet paper is one of the most eco-friendly products available. These kinds of toilet paper are made from sustainable materials and also break down fully and quickly. Bamboo is a renewable resource that is strong but is also soft to the touch. Because bamboo is versatile and renewable, they have a lesser environmental impact.

Is Recycled Toilet Paper Biodegradable?

Recycled toilet paper is biodegradable. The fibers in the recycled toilet paper are short and easily break apart. Recycled toilet paper dissolves quickly in water. While they require chemicals in their production, they contain fewer chemicals that can disrupt the natural bacterial balance of your septic system.

✅ Video – How to Make Toilet Paper (Out of Recycled Paper) at Home

Whoisandrewfahmy shared the video below on YouTube. It shows how to make toilet paper out of recycled paper. If you are interested in making your recycled toilet paper, you can watch the video below for the step-by-step instructions.

Is Recycled Toilet Paper Bad for You?

Recycled toilet paper contains chemicals like bleach, fragrance, and chlorine that can be bad for you. A study published in the Journal of Environmental Science and Technology found traces of BPA in many recycled paper products which include toilet paper. Thermal receipt paper is included in the production which contributes the majority of BPA to the recycled products.

Receipts, luggage tags, shipping labels, and lottery tickets can contain BPA and when recycled, they can get mixed with other paper products. The BPA ends up in recycled paper products. However, the concentration of BPA in recycled toilet paper is small.

Is Bamboo Toilet Paper Flushable?

Bamboo tissue paper is flushable. It also breaks well when flushed down the toilet. A lot of homeowners complain about blockages in their septic system because of virgin pulp paper types that do not fully break down in the water. Regular toilet paper made from trees often fills up the treatment plants and brings challenges in waste management. On the other hand, bamboo toilet paper easily disintegrates and leaves no trace in the septic system or the planet. You can also check out this article that we have written that discusses if bamboo toilet paper is flushable for more information about the topic.

Does Bamboo Toilet Paper Break Down?

Bamboo toilet paper easily breaks down in the pipes. This type of toilet paper is better on your pipes and drains because it is stronger so you do not need to use it a lot. Thick toilet paper with three or more layers is not ideal for plumbing because it can easily clog and clump the toilet. Bamboo fibers are water-soluble and come apart easily. This enables water to pass through without any hindrances.

Is Bamboo Toilet Paper Septic Safe?

Bamboo toilet paper is septic safe. It dissolves easily when it gets in contact with the type of fungus and bacteria found on the septic tank. Bamboo toilet paper drops to the bottom of the tank and quickly becomes sludge. It is also 100% biodegradable and is better for your toilet as compared to regular toilet paper. We have also written this article that discusses if bamboo toilet paper is septic safe. You can check it out for an in-depth discussion about the topic.

Conclusion

You have reached the end of this article that discusses the difference between bamboo toilet paper and recycled toilet paper. We have learned that while both toilet papers are eco-friendly, they have their advantages and disadvantages not only to the septic system but to the environment as well. Your choice will have to depend on your preferences but if you are looking for a toilet paper that is safe for your health, comfortable to use, and good for the septic system and the environment, bamboo toilet paper is an excellent choice. Thank you for reading!