Toilet paper, a daily staple typically used momentarily and discarded, carries a substantial environmental footprint. Commonly produced from harvested trees, the manufacturing process involves significant energy use and chemical treatments that contribute to pollution. Recognizing these impacts, a growing number of consumers aim to purchase toilet papers crafted from recycled content or sustainable sources. However, identifying genuinely eco-friendly options can be challenging.
Often priced higher than conventional variants, sustainable toilet paper offers considerable ecological advantages. The Environmental Paper Network, a coalition of environmental nonprofits, estimates that switching every American's toilet paper use to recycled content products could preserve over 1 billion gallons of water and save around 1.6 million trees annually.
Conventional North American toilet paper production relies largely on fibers sourced from Canadian forests and eucalyptus plantations in Brazil. The pulp derived from these sources undergoes bleaching, frequently using chlorine, to achieve the characteristic white color, a process that may harm the environment. Additionally, substantial electricity and heat are necessary to remove moisture and form the final sheets.
In contrast, the industry increasingly adopts recycled paper materials to avoid fresh forest fiber consumption. These sustainable products often utilize chlorine-free bleaching techniques. Since toilet paper is flushed after use, recycling post-use PCR (postconsumer recycled) material is not feasible; however, sourcing recycled fibers upstream remains beneficial.
Gary Bull, professor emeritus of forest economics at the University of British Columbia, advises consumers to seek toilet paper containing recycled content as a starting point for environmental responsibility. Recycled fibers are classified as preconsumer, derived from manufacturing scraps or unsold goods, and postconsumer, sourced from previously used paper products.
Bull emphasizes that incorporating postconsumer recycled fibers enhances sustainability since paper is among the easiest materials to recycle globally. This approach conserves resources and reduces the demand for virgin fiber.
Assessing the environmental impact of toilet paper production quantitatively is performed through life cycle assessments (LCAs), which track effects from tree seedlings to post-consumer disposal. Nonetheless, these assessments are inaccessible to average shoppers. Consequently, third-party organizations provide certifications to verify sustainable practices.
Labels from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) signify adherence to scientific sustainability standards, including water conservation, wildlife protection, biodiversity maintenance, and legal forestry compliance.
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) issues annual reports grading toilet paper products for environmental friendliness, factoring in bleaching processes, recycled content, and forestry impacts. In 2025, products such as Aria, Green Forest, Natural Value, Trader Joe’s, and Whole Foods 365 100% Recycled achieved top grades for using entirely recycled materials and minimizing environmental harm.
Since 2019, NRDC’s “The Issue with Tissue” report has highlighted progress in sustainable toilet paper offerings, with corporate advocate Ashley Jordan noting the market's expansion to dozens of eco-friendly brands.
University of Oregon assistant professor Kory Russel suggests that consumer demand for sustainable products influences manufacturers to increase availability and reduce prices over time, as economies of scale develop.
Representing major industry players like Kimberly-Clark and Georgia-Pacific, Mark Pitts, executive director of tissue at the American Forest & Paper Association, asserts sustainability is central to industry efforts. Members report reduced greenhouse gas emissions and elevated recycling content use, aligned with responsible forestry practices.
Alternative materials such as bamboo are sometimes marketed as more sustainable than tree-based toilet paper. However, Ronalds Gonzalez, associate professor at North Carolina State University specializing in hygiene fibers, recommends prioritizing recycled materials over alternatives like bamboo. His research identified that bamboo toilet paper produced in China showed a higher environmental footprint compared to U.S.-made products using imported forest fibers, primarily due to reliance on coal-powered electricity in Chinese manufacturing. Producing bamboo toilet paper in regions using renewable energy sources could mitigate environmental impacts significantly.
Another environmentally favorable option is the use of bidets, which enable users to cleanse with water, reducing or eliminating the need for toilet paper. Widely used in Europe, bidets can be standalone fixtures or attachments to existing toilets, often not requiring electricity. Prices vary from basic models around $30 to advanced units exceeding $600, some necessitating professional installation.
Russel observes that bidets are a sustainable alternative since they use household water supply with minimal additional consumption and obviate the need for tree harvesting or paper production.