It was only two short years ago when many of us can remember heading to the supermarket or grocery store only to find the toilet paper sold out and shelves empty of many of the paper products we use every day. As the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world so did a disruption in paper supply chains and paper products. Given the fact that the average American wipes their way through over 141 toilet paper rolls per year, it was no surprise that an international health crisis could also lead to a limited inventory of our favorite household paper items. While citizens of the United States certainly felt the impact of COVID on their toilet paper usage, other countries might not have been so worried as research shows that only about 25% to 30% of the world’s population uses toilet paper as a whole. So why do some people choose to use more toilet paper than others, to use recycled toilet paper or to go toilet paperless and how does making these choices impact the environments and worlds we live in?

When looking at the alternatives to using regular toilet paper many of the current wiping and hygiene options and choices being developed are not only quite appealing to humans but also Mother Nature as well. Some environmentally friendly companies are now producing and manufacturing toilet paper from natural materials such as bamboo, sugarcane, and hemp which are far less harmful to earth’s resources and functioning ecosystems. Other innovative businesses are going the water and technology route by designing bidet and other automatic toilet features that allow for washing, wiping, and cleaning minus the toilet paper. If you have ever been lucky enough to travel or live in Japan you can fully appreciate the nuances and benefits of a high-tech toilet. While some will argue that the use of water to grow sugarcane or to run a bidet might not be sustainable, studies show these new ways of wiping are far less hurtful to the environment. So what should go into our decision-making on whether to wipe or not?

Toilet Paper Question To Ask Yourself #1: Access To Recycled Chemical Free Toilet Paper

Sometimes environmentally friendly toilet paper can be hard to find or more expensive than normal toilet paper so if you plan to make a switch from your normal toilet paper routine it’s best to research where you can source recycled toilet paper for a fair price. By learning about companies such as “Who Gives a Crap”, “No. 2”, and “Cloud Paper” you can broaden your options when it comes to choosing what to wipe with. 

Toilet Paper Question To Ask Yourself #2: Do You Check Certifications and Lists

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) recommends that consumers look for the Forest Stewardship Council’s “FSC” label which certifies that paper products are produced responsibly with considerations for factors such as sustainable practices and the rights of workers and Indigenous peoples’ rights. The NRDC as well as other research groups also put out scorecards that rate numerous tissue brands and rolls made with 100% recycled paper often rank best.

Regardless if you live in a heavy use toilet paper region like the US, Germany, and the UK or a more paperless bathroom society like those in Japan and other countries it is still a worthwhile journey to explore how making small changes in your daily life can lead to large improvements within the world we live in. Environmental issues like climate change, air pollution, deforestation, and global warming would all benefit from fewer tree-derived toilet paper products. With inflation at an all-time high and supply chain issues escalating it’s the perfect time to start looking at ways to lead a more paperless lifestyle. Have you ever considered trying to reduce the paper waste at your home or office by transitioning to a more digital and environmentally friendly way of life?