We’ve all been there…sitting on the toilet, pondering life…when it suddenly hits you: How in the world is toilet paper even made? Most people don’t think about it, but TP is actually made from wood pulp, which is basically just soft fibers taken from trees. To make the pulp into toilet paper, it’s mixed with water and then pressed and dried. After that, it goes through a process called “calendaring,” where it’s rolled out into thin sheets using something called a “Fourdrinier” machine. Finally, the sheets are cut into rolls and packaged…and then, finally, it’s there…waiting for you…ready to wipe your butt.
Why You Should Care How Toilet Paper Is Made.
Toilet paper is one of the most commonly used items in our daily lives. But did you know that traditional methods of toilet paper manufacturing are actually quite bad for the environment? Here are a few reasons why:
Reason #1: As stated above, most forms of TP are made from wood from trees. Every year, millions of precious, beautiful trees are cut down to make the majority of the world’s TP supply. Unfortunately, this depletes our forests and contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, it’s estimated that each year, 27,000 trees are cut down for every one million rolls of TP produced. In a world of finite resources, that’s way too many trees wasted for butt-wiping.
Reason #2:ÂIn addition to depleting thousands of trees, the National Resources Defense Council has reported that it takes 37 gallons of water to manufacture a single roll of toilet tissue. That’s right: 37 gallons for just one roll. The majority of that water is used to pulp the wood chips used to make the product…which again, feels like waaay too much. In this modern, technologically advanced world of ours, there must be a more sustainable way to keep our butts clean.
Reason #3: In addition to all of the other environmental concerns, TP also takes a very long time to decompose. If you flush it down the toilet, it will end up in a landfill where it will take years to break down – releasing methane gas as it does so, which is a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. So the more TP we flush over time, the warmer our planet will become…
Reason #4:When it comes to personal hygiene, few products are as important as TP. But is this common household item actually bad for you? Unfortunately, most toilet tissue is made from a variety of suspicious materials, including plastic (which should be nowhere near your butt). Many brands of toilet paper are also bleached with chlorine dioxide; a known carcinogen that has been linked to a variety of health problems. In addition, toilet paper often contains fragrances and other additives that can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions…which is definitely not very pleasant.
So What Can We Do About It?
There’s really only one thing we, as consumers, can do to make our toilet paper usage more environmentally friendly…and that’s buy from companies that are already working hard to fix the problem. This could also be referred to as “voting with your dollars”. Lucky for you, dear reader, ToiletPaperGuide.com has already researched the best, eco-friendly toilet paper so you don’t have to! Please see our top recommendations below:
Bim Bam Boo Toilet Paper: TP made from 100% recycled paper, bamboo, and eucalyptus trees, making it a great choice for those looking to reduce their environmental impact. It’s also chlorine-free and hypoallergenic, so it’s perfect for those with sensitive skin.
Reel Toilet Paper: TP made from 100% recycled materials, so it’s much better for the environment than traditional toilet paper. That means it requires less energy and water to produce, and creates fewer greenhouse gas emissions…amazing.
Cloud Toilet Paper: 100% bamboo toilet tissue that also uses 100% plastic-free packaging, in post-consumer recycled boxes…so basically every element of this product is eco-friendly.
WhoGivesACrap Toilet Paper: It’s not just a funny name…this company actually sells high quality, 100% bamboo TP that even comes in fun packaging and offers carbon neutral shipping options. This is definitely an environmentally friendly company that most importantly:doesn’t take itself too seriously. If we’re going to take the steps to save our planet, we have to keep in mind thataccessibility is key…and luckily, there are companies like WhoGivesACrap that understand this.
Please take a look at the eco-friendly toilet paper companies listed above and consider switching to recycled or bamboo toilet paper today! It is simply a better option for the world! Hoo-ya!
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