Recycled vs. Bamboo vs. Tree-Free: Comparing Sustainable Toilet Paper Options

"Eco-friendly" toilet paper comes in more than one form. Recycled, bamboo, and tree-free options each make different tradeoffs. Here's how they compare.

Recycled Toilet Paper

Recycled toilet paper is made from post-consumer paper fiber that's been reprocessed rather than sourced from virgin pulp. Look for recycled toilet paper that's chlorine-free and designed to give households a more sustainable option without giving up softness or performance.

Bamboo Toilet Paper

Bamboo grows quickly and requires less water than some tree species, which is why it's often marketed as an eco-friendly alternative. It typically comes from virgin bamboo pulp rather than recycled material, though, so it doesn't reduce paper waste the way recycled options do.

Tree-Free Toilet Paper

Tree-free usually refers to paper made from bamboo, sugarcane, or other fast-growing plants instead of trees. The environmental benefit depends heavily on how and where those crops are grown and processed.