By now, you’re probably seeing how every decision you make can have a positive or negative impact on climate change. You make that choice every time you buy something.
If you don’t make the choices that reduce fossil fuel use, you can’t expect other people to and you can’t expect anything to ever change. That’s why I made the hashtag “#itstartswithyou” — because if you’re not prepared to make the right choices, who will?
With a Serious Toilet Paper subscription, a tree is planted for every toilet roll you buy, no plastic is used to package the rolls, the toilet paper is made in the UK and it’s carbon neutral. That means every time you buy a box, you’re planting 36 trees and not causing a net increase in carbon emissions! Plus you get free delivery.
Carbon-neutral, plastic-free toilet paper delivery
At the moment I only know of one fully carbon-neutral toilet paper and that’s Serious Tissues. However, there is also a brand called Who Gives a Crap that offers a similar service in the US. It’s plastic-free and they donate profits to good causes, but it’s not carbon neutral (yet at least).
All UK Carbon Neutral, Plastic Free Toilet Paper Products, Ordered By Price (low to high)
Here’s a list of carbon-neutral, plastic-free toilet roll products available in the UK, ordered by price from low to high. Each product includes details about how it is carbon-neutral or carbon-negative and where you can buy it.
1. Brand: EcoLeaf | Product: EcoLeaf Recycled Toilet Paper
Carbon Neutral and Plastic-Free:
EcoLeaf Recycled Toilet Paper is made from 100% recycled paper and is produced in a factory that uses renewable energy. The packaging is entirely plastic-free, using only compostable materials. The company offsets carbon emissions through various environmental projects, making the product carbon-neutral.
Where to Buy:
Buy EcoLeaf Recycled Toilet Paper
Price: £5.10 (for 9 rolls)
2. Brand: Who Gives A Crap | Product: Who Gives A Crap 100% Recycled Toilet Paper
Carbon Neutral and Plastic-Free:
Who Gives A Crap toilet paper is made from 100% recycled materials and comes in plastic-free packaging. The company is committed to carbon neutrality by using sustainable production methods and offsetting any remaining emissions through carbon reduction projects. Additionally, they donate 50% of their profits to help build toilets in developing countries.
Where to Buy:
Buy Who Gives A Crap Recycled Toilet Paper
Price: £24.00 (for 24 rolls)
3. Brand: The Cheeky Panda | Product: The Cheeky Panda Bamboo Toilet Tissue
Carbon Neutral and Plastic-Free:
The Cheeky Panda Bamboo Toilet Tissue is made from fast-growing, renewable bamboo, which is a more sustainable alternative to traditional paper. The production process is carbon-balanced, with the company supporting reforestation projects to offset their carbon footprint. The packaging is 100% plastic-free and biodegradable.
Where to Buy:
Buy The Cheeky Panda Bamboo Toilet Tissue
Price: £27.00 (for 24 rolls)
4. Brand: Serious Tissues | Product: Serious Tissues 100% Recycled Toilet Paper
Carbon Neutral and Plastic-Free:
Serious Tissues’ toilet paper is made entirely from recycled materials, ensuring no new trees are cut down. The company is dedicated to being carbon-negative by planting a tree for every roll sold, which absorbs more CO2 than is produced in the manufacturing and delivery process. The toilet paper is packaged in plastic-free, recyclable materials.
Where to Buy:
Buy Serious Tissues Recycled Toilet Paper
Price: £28.00 (for 36 rolls)
5. Brand: Bumboo | Product: Bumboo 100% Bamboo Toilet Paper
Carbon Neutral and Plastic-Free:
Bumboo toilet paper is made from 100% bamboo, which is a fast-growing and highly sustainable crop. The company has a carbon-balanced production process by supporting renewable energy projects and protecting forests. The packaging is completely plastic-free, made from recycled and compostable materials.
Where to Buy:
Buy Bumboo Bamboo Toilet Paper
Price: £30.00 (for 24 rolls)
6. Brand: Naked Sprout | Product: Naked Sprout Bamboo Toilet Roll
Carbon Neutral and Plastic-Free:
Naked Sprout Bamboo Toilet Roll is made from 100% bamboo, a sustainable alternative to regular paper. The company maintains a carbon-neutral status by investing in carbon offsetting projects and using energy-efficient manufacturing practices. The toilet rolls are wrapped in plastic-free packaging, making them completely compostable.
Where to Buy:
Buy Naked Sprout Bamboo Toilet Roll
Price: £34.99 (for 48 rolls)
7. Brand: Greencane | Product: Greencane Paper Toilet Paper
Carbon Neutral and Plastic-Free:
Greencane Paper Toilet Paper is made from a mix of bamboo and recycled sugarcane pulp, making it a sustainable alternative to traditional paper. The production process is designed to minimize carbon emissions, and the company supports carbon offset projects. The packaging is completely plastic-free and biodegradable.
Where to Buy:
Price: £35.00 (for 48 rolls)
8. Brand: Feel Good | Product: Feel Good Eco Toilet Roll
Carbon Neutral and Plastic-Free:
Feel Good Eco Toilet Roll is made from 100% bamboo, a renewable and sustainable resource. The company offsets its carbon footprint by supporting carbon reduction projects and has a commitment to plastic-free packaging. All packaging materials are recyclable and compostable.
Where to Buy:
Price: £36.00 (for 45 rolls)
9. Brand: Bazoo | Product: Bazoo Bamboo Toilet Roll
Carbon Neutral and Plastic-Free:
Bazoo Bamboo Toilet Roll is made from 100% FSC-certified bamboo, which is a sustainable and rapidly renewable resource. The company maintains a carbon-neutral status by offsetting emissions through verified carbon reduction projects. The toilet rolls come in plastic-free packaging made from recyclable materials.
Where to Buy:
Price: £39.00 (for 48 rolls)
10. Brand: Greencane | Product: Greencane Paper Eco Toilet Rolls
Carbon Neutral and Plastic-Free:
Greencane Paper Eco Toilet Rolls are made from a blend of bamboo and sugarcane waste. The production process is carbon neutral due to the company’s investment in renewable energy projects and use of sustainable raw materials. The rolls are packaged in 100% plastic-free and compostable materials.
Where to Buy:
Buy Greencane Eco Toilet Rolls
Price: £42.00 (for 48 rolls)
These products offer sustainable, eco-friendly alternatives to conventional toilet paper, helping you make a positive impact on the environment.
If everyone switched from standard toilet paper to bamboo toilet paper, what would be the ecological repercussions?
Switching from standard toilet paper, typically made from virgin wood pulp, to bamboo toilet paper could have significant positive ecological repercussions. Here’s a breakdown of the potential environmental impacts:
1. Reduced Deforestation and Forest Conservation
- Less Tree Cutting: Traditional toilet paper production requires large quantities of virgin wood pulp, often sourced from trees in old-growth forests or managed forests. Switching to bamboo toilet paper would reduce the demand for wood pulp, leading to less deforestation.
- Forest Conservation: By decreasing the need to harvest trees for toilet paper, more forests could be conserved or left intact. This helps preserve biodiversity, protect wildlife habitats, and maintain ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration and water cycle regulation.
2. Faster Growth and Higher Yield of Bamboo
- Rapid Growth: Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants on Earth, capable of growing up to 3 feet (about 1 meter) per day. This rapid growth means bamboo can be harvested more frequently than trees, which can take decades to mature.
- High Yield: Bamboo can yield more usable fiber per acre compared to trees. This means less land is required to produce the same amount of raw material for toilet paper, reducing the environmental footprint of land use for paper production.
3. Reduced Carbon Footprint
- Carbon Sequestration: Bamboo is highly efficient at capturing carbon dioxide. It sequesters carbon faster than most trees, helping mitigate climate change. Additionally, bamboo plantations absorb more CO2 and release more oxygen compared to equivalent areas of trees, contributing positively to air quality.
- Lower Emissions in Production: The process of making bamboo toilet paper typically involves fewer chemical treatments than traditional wood pulp paper. This can result in a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and chemical pollution during production.
4. Decreased Soil Erosion and Improved Soil Health
- Root Structure: Bamboo has an extensive root system that helps bind the soil together, reducing erosion. This is particularly beneficial in areas prone to soil degradation. Unlike tree harvesting, which can destabilize the soil and lead to erosion, bamboo harvesting can occur without disturbing the root system, maintaining soil integrity.
- Soil Enrichment: Bamboo also helps to improve soil health by adding organic matter through fallen leaves and its root system. It can even thrive on degraded lands, contributing to soil restoration.
5. Water Conservation
- Lower Water Usage: Bamboo toilet paper production generally requires less water than conventional wood pulp toilet paper production. This helps conserve water resources, which is especially important in regions facing water scarcity.
- Efficient Growth: Bamboo requires less water to grow compared to trees, making it a more sustainable crop in terms of water usage.
6. Plastic-Free Packaging and Reduced Waste
- Biodegradable and Compostable: Bamboo toilet paper is often packaged in plastic-free, biodegradable materials. This reduces plastic waste and pollution associated with conventional toilet paper packaging, which is often wrapped in plastic.
- Less Waste in Landfills: Since bamboo toilet paper and its packaging are more likely to be biodegradable or compostable, there is less waste ending up in landfills, reducing landfill mass and associated methane emissions.
7. Preservation of Biodiversity
- Avoiding Monoculture Plantations: While tree plantations for wood pulp can lead to monocultures that harm local biodiversity, bamboo plantations can be managed more sustainably. Bamboo grows in a variety of climates and soil types, reducing the need to convert diverse ecosystems into single-species plantations.
- Support for Ecosystems: In areas where bamboo is native, planting bamboo for toilet paper production could support local ecosystems rather than disrupt them. Bamboo forests provide habitats for various species, including insects and birds.
8. Economic and Social Benefits
- Local Economies: Bamboo cultivation and processing can create jobs and support local economies, especially in regions where bamboo is native and abundant.
- Sustainable Livelihoods: Bamboo farming can provide a sustainable source of income for rural communities, helping reduce poverty and promoting sustainable agriculture practices.
Potential Drawbacks and Considerations
While the switch to bamboo toilet paper offers numerous environmental benefits, some considerations need to be taken into account:
- Transport Emissions: If bamboo is not locally sourced, transporting it from bamboo-growing regions to production facilities and consumers could increase greenhouse gas emissions. Choosing locally or regionally produced bamboo toilet paper would mitigate this issue.
- Agricultural Practices: To fully realize the benefits, bamboo cultivation must be done sustainably, avoiding the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, which could harm the environment.
Conclusion
Overall, if everyone switched from standard toilet paper to bamboo toilet paper, the ecological repercussions would likely be highly positive. The shift would promote forest conservation, reduce carbon emissions, conserve water, and support biodiversity, contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly way of living. To maximize these benefits, it’s essential to focus on sustainable bamboo sourcing and local production practices.
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