Are you wondering if toilet paper is made from recycled paper? Nowadays, a wide array of toilet paper is available on the market. They now come in different types, thicknesses, colors, and styles. There are even toilet papers that are septic safe. Is toilet paper made from recycled paper? We will find out the answer below.
Is toilet paper made from recycled paper? Toilet paper can be made from recycled paper. This type of toilet paper is made with recycled pulp from existing paper products. It is a popular alternative to toilet paper that uses virgin pulp.
Take note that not all toilet paper is made from recycled paper. As mentioned above, toilet paper can also be made using virgin pulp. Today, different materials are used in making toilet paper including bamboo, hemp, recycled paper, and virgin pulp. Each material has its pros and cons. Read the rest of the article to learn more about recycled toilet paper.
What Is Toilet Paper Made Of?
Toilet paper is made from virgin or recycled pulp. Virgin pulp comes from a tree while recycled pulp comes from existing paper products. Nowadays, a lot of materials are used in making toilet paper including bamboo and hemp. These materials are considered to be eco-friendly. Traditional toilet paper comes from trees that take many years to grow. On the other hand, bamboo and hemp are easier to grow and are also sustainable.
✅ Video – How is it Made: Toilet Paper
HowItsMade shared the video below on YouTube. It shows how toilet paper is made. Toilet paper is a household staple. If you want to know how it is made, watch the short video below.
How to Make Recycled Toilet Paper?
There is a process for making recycled toilet paper that starts with pulping recycled paper, removing the ink, drying, and bleaching.
Create a Pulp
The first step in the process is to create a pulp. Recycled paper is gathered and placed into a pulping machine. It is then mixed with lukewarm water to create a pulp.
Remove the Ink
The next step is to remove the ink from the pulp. To do this, the air is injected into the pulp so that the ink will rise at the top. It is then removed with the use of a skimmer.
Drying and Bleaching
Once the ink is removed, the next step is to dry the pulp. The pulp is then passed into the rollers to squeeze water out from them. This also dries the pulp and allows it to absorb bleaching chemicals. The bleach changes the color from grey to white. Before the pulp is bleached, it is first cut using revolving knives. Once it is bleached, it is spread on a flat screen and goes through a dryer. The drying process takes less than a second. After drying, it is rolled to a large spool for embossing.
Are there Chemicals Used in Making Recycled Toilet Paper?
Different chemicals are used in making recycled toilet paper. These chemicals are what break down recycled paper and bleach it. BPA is a chemical that is commonly found on recycled toilet paper. Aside from that, it can also contain traces of Halogenated hydrocarbons. However, there are still no studies, to date, about the risk of using recycled toilet paper that contains these chemicals.
Regular Toilet Paper Vs Recycled Toilet Paper
Regular toilet paper is made from the virgin pulp while recycled toilet paper is made from recycled paper products. To make regular toilet paper, the pulp that comes from trees called virgin pulp is used. The bark of a tree is removed, cut into small pieces, and pressure cooked it turns into pulp. The pulp is then strained, bleached, and dried.
On the other hand, recycled toilet paper is made using recycled paper products. Recycled paper is soaked in a large tub with warm water. It is then aerated to remove the ink. Once the ink is removed, it is then bleached.
Materials Used In Making Toilet Paper
The main material in using toilet paper is a virgin pulp that comes from trees. On the other hand, some alternative materials can be used which include recycled paper, bamboo, and hemp. These materials are considered sustainable and eco-friendly. Trees take a long time to grow and it also contributes to deforestation.
On the other hand, these alternative materials are easy to grow. For instance, bamboo takes a few years to grow when cut and it is even considered evasive in some areas because of how fast it grows. Let us find out more below about the different materials used in making toilet paper.
Recycled Paper
Recycled paper is a good option for making toilet paper. Nowadays, you can find a lot of toilet paper that is made from 100% recycled paper. This is considered a common alternative to regular toilet paper. Aside from that, it is also eco-friendly because it takes advantage of existing materials instead of creating new ones.
Bamboo
Nowadays, you can find a lot of toilet paper that is made from bamboo. This material is fast-growing and can grow up to three feet a day. Moreover, when you cut it, it can grow back. Moreover, bamboo is used as an alternative to wood in making a lot of products. You can choose from a wide array of bamboo toilet paper available on the market.
On the other hand, it can be expensive to purchase. One reason for this is that it is usually sourced from other counties and the shipment cost can add up to the price. You can also check out this article that discusses if bamboo toilet paper block drains. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.
Hemp
Another alternative that is used when making toilet paper is hemp. The good thing about using this material is that it can create toilet paper that does not have chemicals and toxins. This means that they can be composted back into the soil without any negative effects. Moreover, it is safe to use on your septic tank. Aside from being soft, hemp toilet paper is also durable. It can absorb up to four times its weight in water.
Is Recycled Toilet Paper Bleached?
Recycled toilet paper is oftentimes bleached to change its color from grey to white. This is to remove the grey color from the pulp and make it clean and white. If it is not bleached, the paper will have a grey color that can turn yellow or brown. We have also shared this article titled, is recycled or bamboo toilet paper better for the environment? You can check out the article for more tips and information.
Is it Safe to Use Recycled Toilet Paper?
Recycled toilet paper has the same quality as regular toilet paper and is safe to use. On the other hand, there is a concern about the presence of the chemical BPA in recycled toilet paper. BPA is a chemical that causes heart disease exposed to in large amounts. If the recycled paper that is used in making toilet paper contains BPA, then there will be traces of it on the toilet paper. On the other hand, the good news is that there is only a small trace of BPA in recycled toilet paper that cannot cause any health issues.
Can All Toilet Paper Be Composted?
You can compost all types of toilet paper. On the other hand, some toilet paper decomposes faster compared to others. For instance, thick toilet paper such as the 3-ply takes longer to decompose. If you have gardening compost, do not put recycled toilet paper into it because of the harmful chemicals that it contains. You can also read this article that discusses if bamboo toilet paper is biodegradable. We have shared helpful information that you can refer to.
Does Recycled Toilet Paper Block Drain?
Recycled toilet paper can block drains especially if you are using an excessive amount of it. If the toilet paper is thick, then there is a chance that it will not fully dissolve as it goes down the drain and it will get stuck in the pipe. Hence, you need to make sure that you choose recycled toilet paper that is thin. You also need to be careful of the amount of toilet paper that you flush on the toilet. We have also shared this article titled, how long does it take for toilet paper to decompose in a septic tank? You can check out the article for more tips and information.
What Can I Use Instead of Toilet Paper?
Alternatives that you can use instead of toilet paper include a bidet and reusable cloth. Nowadays, you can find a lot of homes with bidet. The bidet uses water rather than wiping with toilet paper. This is considered a more hygienic option because it thoroughly cleans. The bidet is installed on your toilet. If you are interested in this alternative, you can search online for some of the best types that you can purchase for your toilet. You can also read this article that discusses what breaks down toilet paper in septic tanks. We have shared helpful information that you can refer to.
Conclusion
You have reached the end of this article that discusses if toilet paper is made from recycled paper. We have found out that toilet paper can be made from recycled paper. However, other materials are used which include hemp and bamboo. With the wide array of choices to opt from, you need to weigh the pros and cons of each type so that you can make the best choice. Thank you for reading!