Is Recycled Toilet Paper Better For The Environment?

Recycled Toilet Paper Information 

More and more people are looking for simple ways to be more eco-friendly at home, and one of the latest crazes has been recycled toilet paper. Clearly, most people understand the importance of recycling paper, but what they do not know is the average American now uses approximately 20,000 sheets of toilet paper annually. This is why alternatives such as recycled toilet paper are becoming more popular. First of all, recycled toilet paper does not mean using toilet paper so get that idea out of your head. For a quick breakdown of what recycled toilet paper is basically recycled toilet paper is created via “Post Consumer” recycled items known as (PCR). This PCR paper is typically content that was once used in offices or homes that is recycled into toilet paper. Our Happy Planet understands people have questions about recycled toilet paper so let’s take a moment to address some of those frequently asked questions and facts about recycling toilet paper!

Can I Recycle Used Toilet Paper?

Recycled toilet paper is still a better option than the traditional toilet paper brands like Scott Extra Soft, Soft’N Gentle, White Cloud, and others, but the best option is to not use toilet paper at all. However, we will discuss zero waste toilet paper alternatives later. Recycled toilet paper, or any paper recycled product for that matter, is critical in the preservation of trees, protection of habitats and most importantly keeping drinking water safe. Therefore, we encourage anyone interested in using recycled toilet paper to lobby their local grocery store to bring these eco-friendly products to the shelves, or to purchase recycled toilet paper from online stores.

What is the healthiest toilet paper?

Unfortunately, there are not as many options for recycled toilet paper as there should be, but some of our picks for the best-recycled toilet paper include the following brands:

• Seventh Generation Recycled Bath Tissue
• Green Forest 100% Recycled Bathroom Tissue

Is it better to flush or throw away toilet paper?

Many people wonder do you flush or throw away toilet paper when trying to be the most environmentally friendly. Understanding what happens to toilet paper when you flush it and the impact of placing toilet paper in the trash versus throwing it away is important. For example, when toilet paper is flushed down the toilet nearly 95% of the toilet paper is broken down, dissolving into water. That is the good news, but the bad news is the 5% that is not dissolved into water often becomes sludge waste. Not to mention, the bacteria used to break down the toilet paper releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that is a negative for the environment. On the other side, throwing toilet paper away means that it will certainly end up in a public landfill. Toilet paper finding its resting place in a landfill will take years to break down, and more release of greenhouse gases.
From an eco-friendly standpoint, flushing toilet paper is better than throwing toilet paper in the trash.

Does toilet paper have BPA?

One of the most popular questions people ask about recycled toilet paper is does toilet paper have BPA? The answer unfortunately is yes that toilet paper does have mall amounts of BPA in it, which should be a concern given BPA dangers have included hormone level disruption, heart problems, and cancer. According to an article published in the Journal of Environmental Science and Technology BPA was found in small traces in a wide variety of paper recycled items. One of these products was recycled toilet paper. The reason for the BPA exposure is likely when various paper products are recycled such as labels for shipping and old receipts (paper items known to contain small amounts of BPA), they get mixed with other paper items which lead to cross-contamination of recycled toilet paper and other recycled paper. However, discussing the reality of BPA being present in recycled toilet paper is not meant to scare people away from the products, but rather to inform them. The reason is that higher levels of BPA are found in receipts, and every day people are exposed to credit card receipts, absorbing the BP through touch.

Toilet Paper Alternatives

Using recycled toilet paper is far better for the environment than purchasing more popular brands of toilet paper such as Angel Soft, Charmin, and Kirkland. However, the best toilet paper alternatives are solutions that eliminate toilet paper altogether. That means using water instead of toilet paper with a bidet or opting for reusable flannel wipes instead of toilet paper.