Bamboo toilet paper is so expensive, and many people wonder why it is so. In our initial research on this subject, we found many reasons why bamboo toilet paper should be cheaper than regular toilet paper. But as we researched further, we realized why, despite all of those factors, it is still more expensive. We have curated this comprehensive post to explain why bamboo toilet paper should have been cheaper and why it is, instead, so expensive.

Why is bamboo toilet paper so expensive? Bamboo toilet paper is so expensive because the raw materials have to travel halfway around the globe for production. Most of the bamboo used for making bamboo toilet papers are grown in China. Manufacturers have to import Bamboo before they can produce bamboo toilet paper. More so, the production of bamboo toilet paper takes longer because it involves culturing. papers contribute to its high-cost price.

Bamboo products, including bamboo toilet papers, are eco-friendly alternatives to regular products. But eco-conscious buyers have many questions about the cost of these revolutionary products. As you read on, we will start by explaining why bamboo toilet paper should have been cheaper. Then, we will explain why, despite all these factors, it is still quite expensive.

Bamboo Toilet Paper Review: Why Should it Be Cheaper?

Bamboo toilet paper should have been cheaper because the bamboo tree is more viable for commercial purposes than other trees. It is the fastest-growing tree in the world and requires fewer resources and less energy to harvest. Growing bamboo needs no added chemicals because it has antimicrobial properties. What’s more, the production of bamboo toilet rolls requires less water and no bleach. All of these means reduced production costs and should have translated into the lower-cost prices on the market.

It is, therefore, surprising that despite all of these factors, bamboo toilet papers are so expensive. The cost of bamboo toilet rolls is about $1 each, but regular toilet rolls sell for a lower price. People often wonder why this is so, and there are good reasons for it. We will explain these reasons later, but first, let’s examine the different factors that should have made bamboo toilet rolls cheaper. 

Bamboos are More Viable for Commercial Purposes

According to the Guinness book of records, bamboos are the fastest-growing tree in the world. The bamboo tree is just like grass that regrows immediately after cutting it. A freshly planted bamboo tree will take about 7 years before you can harvest it. But after this initial harvest, you can start harvesting it every year.

This is unlike regular trees that take centuries to mature. Worse still, cutting regular trees contributes to deforestation since it will take several years for the tree to regrow. Some trees will not even grow back without replanting them. Bamboo trees are more readily available and their products should be cheaper than those of regular trees.

Bamboo Requires Fewer Resources and Less Energy to Harvest

Researchers are still trying to figure out how much resources and energy go into bamboo harvesting. But harvesting regular trees requires much more than harvesting bamboo trees. This factor also reduces the cost of bamboo toilet roll production and should, in turn, make them cheaper than regular toilet rolls.

Bamboo Needs No Additional Chemical

Bamboo does not need any additional chemicals. It needs no pesticide or antimicrobial chemical because of its natural antimicrobial properties. More so, it is naturally strong and soft, so it doesn’t need added chemicals to make it stronger or softer. This mean less production cost and should make bamboo toilet rolls cheaper.

Bamboo Toilet Paper Vs. Regular: Why are Bamboo Rolls More Expensive?

The main factor that drastically increases the production cost of bamboo toilet rolls is the cost of transportation. Most of the bamboo used for manufacturing in the U.S, Australia, and many other countries come from China. This means that the raw material must travel almost halfway around the globe before it gets to the manufacturer, and this costs a lot of money. More so, bamboo toilet roll production involves culturing and takes a longer time. This means manufacturers have to pay staff for more hours of work. These two major factors make bamboo toilet rolls more expensive.

Both regular wood and bamboo require transportation, bamboo roll producers spend much more on transportation. Most countries, including the US and Australia, that produce the most bamboo toilet rolls don’t have many commercial bamboo plantations. If there are more bamboo plantations in these countries, raw materials will not have to travel a long distance. That will bring down the cost of bamboo toilet paper production and make the cost price cheaper.

The production process of regular toilet rolls and bamboo toilet rolls are similar. But it takes longer to produce bamboo washroom rolls. Since workers are paid per hour, this slightly increases the production cost. In time, experts may find ways to reduce the production time for bamboo rolls.

Should I Buy Bamboo Toilet Paper Despite the Cost?

Not minding the price, you should still buy bamboo toilet paper because it outperforms all the other toilet roll options. To start with, Bamboo toilet rolls are both thick and soft. As such they give the best comfort and absorbency. The top of the icing is the eco-friendliness of bamboo washroom rolls. The bamboo plant, being a renewable resource, is very eco-friendly. It uses no pesticides or fertilizers and occupies less space. 

Switching to bamboo toilet paper is a way to embrace a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle. It may cost you a bit more, but you will be contributing substantially to saving the planet. What’s more, since bamboo toilet papers are softer, they break more easily and are less likely to clog your septic tanks or pipes. You can also read this article that discusses if bamboo toilet paper is environmentally friendly. We have shared reasons why bamboo products are good for the environment.

✅ Video – The Case for a Bamboo Pulp Alternative for Paper and Packaging

Watch this video to understand why it’s good to choose bamboo toilet rolls above the regular rolls. Making this simple switch will go a long way to save the planet and preserve a better world for the coming generations yet unborn. Click the play button to watch the video now.

Bamboo is Highly Renewable

Bamboo grows very rapidly, so it is highly renewable. It is the fastest-growing plant in the world, with a growth rate of about 1.5 to 2 inches every hour. That sums up to about 35 inches daily. It replenishes immediately after it is cut, so it’s easy to maintain its population and prevent deforestation.

Because of its renewability, bamboo cutting has little to no impact on the environment and ecosystem. We should embrace such material as the perfect choice for high-volume household materials like toilet rolls.

Bamboo toilet rolls are a tad more expensive than regular rolls, but they are kinder to our bottoms and our planet. The price should not deter us from looking out for our planet. But then, you still have to decide whether you can afford the extra cost or not. 

Is Bamboo Toilet Paper Better?

Bamboo toilet paper has many advantages over other toilet roll types. They are the softest, thickest, and they are also eco-friendly. In these three things, bamboo toilet rolls top both virgin pulp and recycled pulp toilet rolls. The only downside to bamboo toilet paper is that they cost a bit more than other types. You can also check out this article that discusses if you can use bamboo as firewood. We have shared tips and ideas that you can refer to.

What Toilet Paper Do Plumbers Recommend?

Plumbers recommend high-quality washroom papers that are comfortable and gentle on sensitive regions. Furthermore, the toilet roll should be easy on household plumbing. It should also clean up messes well and tear easily. Many types of toilet rolls fit this description. But many experts agree that bamboo paper rolls meet these recommendations. You can also check out this article that talks about how long it takes for paper towels to break down. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.

Is it Illegal to Grow Bamboo in the US?

It is illegal to grow some (but not all) types of bamboo in the US. In 2007, the USDA and DHS sponsored a joint bill to the US Congress seeking to prohibit people from planting certain bamboo plant species (leptomorph bamboos) in America. The house passed the bill a month after and later by the Senate. It took effect on the 1st of January, 2008.

The common name for leptomorph bamboos is “spreading” or “running” or “spreading” bamboo. The law prohibits this species because it spreads from where it is planted and invades adjacent properties.

Conclusion

So far, you have seen the reasons why bamboo toilet paper should have been cheaper and why, despite these reasons, it is still expensive. The culprits are the long distances that raw materials have to travel and the time required for production. These factors drastically increase the cost of producing bamboo toilet rolls. But then, many experts agree that despite its high cost, it’s worth switching to bamboo toilet paper. They are soft, comfortable, and most of all, eco-friendly.