David vs Goliath. Batman vs Superman. Toilet paper vs the environment. All are epic battles across history.
Stories of the first two, you are likely well-versed in. But the third example: where does this matchup land? And how harmful is toilet paper for the environment?
Harmful effects vary, with some types (bamboo, 100% recycled) much better allies than others, like tree-based toilet paper.
Toilet paper and the environment have their issues when it comes to harm being done. How, and in what ways, are explained with a variety of reasons to explore below.
What are the different ways toilet paper production harms the environment?
Toilet paper production harms the environment in multiple stages, beginning with harvesting of trees, to manufacturing and the chemicals emitted, and the aftereffects of usage.
A lot to think about. And brands are actively finding ways to impact the environment in more positive ways. One of which is developing bamboo and 100 percent recyclable toilet paper options.
Still, the old ways of using trees to create toilet paper are prevalent. In examining ways tree-based toilet paper production harms the environment, focus will be placed on these areas:
Making toilet paper white
Using virgin tree paper
Toilet paper and landfills
Is all toilet paper equally bad?
How harmful is making toilet paper white for the environment?
In making toilet paper white, two things stand out. Aesthetic: Yay. Good for the environment: Nay
Toilet paper is made white by bleaching of pulp. During this process, harmful chemicals, including dioxins, are released into the environment. This is because chlorine is used in the bleaching process and, when combined with water, increases the chances of pollution and negative impacts on the ecosystem.
Bleached toilet paper is more common and with it, a bigger harm to the environment. Whereas unbleached toilet paper is a more eco-friendly option to explore.
How bad is virgin tree paper for the environment?
Virgin tree paper is not just a clever title. This is toilet paper made from trees harvested for the first time and not part of the recycling process. Made from wood pulp, over one million trees are harvested each day to create this type of toilet paper.
Natural habitats are destroyed, leaving ecosystems in a scramble to adjust. Not to mention, the amount of energy and water involved to keep this process going is high.
In worrying about lowering a carbon footprint, these factors combined are enough to have one take pause, and truly think about the impact made in building a better future.
How much toilet paper winds up in the landfill?
When thinking of toilet paper disposal, it’s common to think of flushing a toilet. Then, the toilet paper takes a journey in pipes and sewers, ultimately finding a final landing spot at a treatment plant.
Despite advancements over the years and improved septic systems, toilet paper and landfills still have a relationship. Areas around the world with less reliable plumbing, or no plumbing at all, means disposal by other means. Toilet paper makes up 15% of the paper products that end up in a landfill.
Even septic systems carry the chance of harming the environment. Especially when not properly maintained, where waste has a negative impact on nearby water sources.
Is all toilet paper equally bad for the environment?
The short and gritty of it: No. All toilet paper is not equally bad for the environment.
Steps have been taken to lessen the harmful impact, including the manufacturing of toilet paper with bamboo and 100% recycled toilet paper.
Positive attributes are plentiful. But there are still items taken into consideration with these types of toilet paper when it comes to harm and the environment. Here, a peek at the exact impacts that bamboo toilet paper and recycled toilet paper has on the environment.
How bad is bamboo toilet paper for the environment?
Bamboo toilet paper does have downsides to the environment but nowhere near the same level as virgin tree paper.
While it’s better than the alternative, coal is still used to power harvesting machines and plants in China, where most bamboo for toilet paper is harvested. In some rare instances, forests are being replanted with bamboo.
In dealing with the environment, bamboo toilet paper is a better alternative than products made from virgin tree paper. Breaks down quicker, reduces strain on sewage systems and landfills, and bamboo plants regenerate quickly, sometimes up to 35 inches per day.
How bad is recycled toilet paper for the environment?
By 100% recycled toilet paper, we mean no virgin trees were used in the making of. It is a process of making toilet paper with post-consumer waste, like paper from offices, schools, and newspapers.
Negative effects on the environment with recycled toilet paper still remain with carbon emissions and water usage. However, these levels are quite lower compared to tree-based toilet paper.
Positives outweigh the negative, with reduced deforestation, using less water, and a whitening process that is chlorine-free.
Conclusion
This epic battle of toilet paper vs the environment is far from over. Knowing how harmful several types of toilet paper are, however, is solid information to have on hand.
Virgin tree paper brings the most harm to the environment, starting with the harvesting of trees and decimating forests. Production emits dangerous chemicals, especially during the whitening process. And environmental troubles continue further down the line, where toilet paper accounts for 15% of all paper products that end up in the landfill.
Bamboo toilet paper and 100% recyclable toilet paper do carry their own harms. When compared to virgin tree paper, the impacts are minimal.
Want to play your part in helping ease the harm toilet paper has on the environment? Then wipe away these harms by choosing bamboo toilet paper to let the environment AND toilet paper be the victors in this battle.