Earth Day is every day, to paraphrase the popular motto.
We have countless ways to make a positive impact on the environment, including choosing environmentally friendly toilet paper. Popularity has risen with this style of toilet paper, especially when it means keeping the world’s forests intact.
Do your part by checking out these 10 brands with environmentally friendly toilet paper and choosing to help build a more sustainable future.
How is eco-friendliness measured in toilet paper?
A ruler, a cup, and a year are not ways to measure eco-friendliness in toilet paper. Not in the case of discussing the following brands, that is. Who knows? Maybe some do measure toilet paper in these ways.
No, for this, we turn to the NRDC report on environmentally friendly toilet paper and use their findings to discuss brands. All brands on this list involve a whitening process that is chlorine free. And one of the integral scores in this report is the percentage of toilet paper made from post-consumer recycled paper.
All brands mentioned in this piece scored top honors with an ‘A’ or higher and have toilet paper made of 100 percent recycled paper. One thing not considered by the NRDC — where we add bonus points to grow the curve — are brands who donate to charity.
That is where Who Gives A Crap takes the lead, donating 50 percent of profits to sanitation projects around the world.
1. Who Gives A Crap
Who Gives A Crap, with their environmentally friendly toilet paper, creates a comfy and strong toilet paper (and your bum will thank you). This product also plays well with septic systems, always a plus.
Primarily resourced from recycled papers from school and office. So just think: one day those bad grades on reports and sad notes, by choosing to recycle, could one day come in handy.
NRDC grade: A
Post-consumer percentage: ≥51
2. Green Forest
The 100 percent recycled toilet paper from Green Forest is a popular product found in grocery and natural product stores across the United States. Their larger sheet sizes are plus and their scores landed them as the second-best on the NRDC list.
Like Who Gives A Crap and their charitable impact, Green Forest receives special mention for their annual donations to Earthjustice and River Network, organizations that protect human health, wildelife, rivers, and watersheds.
NRDC grade: A+
Post-consumer percentage: 80
3. Natural Value
Established in 1995, the family-owned Natural Value delivers not only environmentally friendly toilet paper, but one that is good for the budget conscious consumer.
A high post-consumer percentage places Natural Value in the top tier for that category. Made in the U.S.A. this bathroom tissue has been recycled without chlorine or bleaching.
NRDC grade: A+
Post-consumer percentage: 80
4. 365 By Whole Foods Market
Topping the list, thanks to a high grade and best post-consumer percentage is the brand from 365 By Whole Foods Market. Contributing to their high ranking is the fact its toilet paper is 85 percent post-consumer recycled product.
This 100 percent recycled toilet paper is FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified, delivering an environmentally friendly product at a bargain price.
NRDC grade: A+
Post-consumer percentage: 85
5. Trader Joe’s
Ranked a square of toilet paper below its competitor above, Trader Joe’s developed an eco-friendly toilet paper that is FSC and Rainforest Alliance certified. This brand is one of four on this list to garner an A+ and brings home a high post-consumer percentage.
An ideal option to consider using for a sustainable future, the brand from Trader Joe’s is also one of the cheaper options around.
NRDC grade: A+
Post-consumer percentage: 80
6. Simple Truth
Simple Truth is the environmentally friendly option from Kroger and dips down below the top tier of NRDC rankings. Though, not too far off the pace in having a 60/40 split when it comes to the recycled material used to make the toilet paper.
In embracing sustainability, this hypoallergenic bath tissue is durable and strong while being septic safe.
NRDC grade: A
Post-consumer percentage: 60
7. Everspring
With no dyes and no fragrances, the toilet paper from Everspring (by Target) joins this list with a steady grade.
FSC certified, Everspring is on the lower end of the top tier but still provides a viable option in helping with your environmental footprint.
NRDC grade: A
Post-consumer percentage: 50
8. Marcal
Long standing reputation, Marcal provides the most footage per roll (now there’s something to be proud of). The environmentally friendly toilet paper is soft and absorbent and made of 100 percent recycled fibers, with the scores to prove it.
Aiding in Marcal’s outstanding scores is an energy efficient manufacturing process. Using structured sheet technology, these processes have led to a 41 percent reduction in greenhouse gasses.
NRDC grade: A
Post-consumer percentage: ≥60
9. Seventh Generation
The extra soft and strong toilet paper from Seventh Generation arrives with the FSC certification. 100 percent recycled bathroom tissue. Their post-consumer recycled product score lands near the lower end of these top scores but they are among the leaders in pcr packaging.
Generosity for Seventh Generation extends beyond environmentally friendly toilet paper. They have a foundation called the Seventh Generation Fund, where 100 percent of the foundation’s funds are directed to Indigenous-led organizations.
NRDC grade: A
Post-consumer percentage: ≥51
10. Field & Future by H-E-B
With 429 two-ply sheets per roll, Field & Future by H-E-B provides soft — yet strong — environmentally minded toilet paper. Made of 100 percent recycled fibers, this brand also contains no dyes or fragrances. And their packaging is made with 30 percent post-consumer recycled plastic.
Field & Future slides in with bonus points, too. The company aims to plant 30,000 trees in Texas every year through tree-planting organizations in the state.
NRDC grade: A
Post-consumer percentage: 60
Conclusion: Who Gives A Crap is the leader in this space!
At the base level, these 10 brands are similar when it comes to providing adequate toilet paper to help the environment. The whitening process is chlorine free, and all scored high marks, landing them in the ‘A’ category.
All 10 use 100 percent recycled toilet paper, with the edge given by NRDC to those brands that use a higher percentage of post-consumer recycled products in creation.
Bonus points were considered — not NRDC specified — for those brands and companies who go the extra step in donating profits. And that is exactly why Who Gives A Crap is the perfect answer to your environmentally friendly toilet paper needs.