Toilet paper is one of your daily necessities so picking the right one is important. However, bamboo toilet paper vs regular toilet paper will put you in a dilemma. You’ll be in this situation if you haven’t used the former. Bamboo toilet paper is eco-friendly as it proves to be renewable, 100% biodegradable, and sustainable.
Regular toilet paper can be made of virgin pulp, which means that it doesn’t have recycled components. However, some are from recycled wood pulp. Not everyone can tell which is which. Some manufacturers opt to use the recycled pulp for the environment. Bamboo toilet paper and toilet paper made of virgin pulp have the same softness.
Apart from caring for the environment and the matter of softness, there are other things to know about these items.
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Secret Behind the Production of Regular Toilet Paper
John T. Gourville is a marketing professor from Harvard Business School who revealed the secret behind the production of regular toilet paper. Buyers haven’t noticed the shrinkage on a roll of toilet paper since they’re more focused on the price. Apart from the number of sheets, thickness and size are the factors that can help you determine if the toilet paper is cost-efficient or not.
In defense, the producers said that the downsizing is for making better and stronger sheets. Because of this new form, the user only needs a few pieces to do their business. Americans utilize 27% of the wood from all over the world for toilet paper production. To prevent damaging the forest, the recycled pulp is used. But the result is not as soft as the bamboo toilet paper.
Related: Detailed comparison between recycled toilet paper vs bamboo; click here to read now!
Facts About Bamboo Toilet Paper (Knowing The Benefits)
Aside from its softness, there are several benefits of bamboo toilet paper.
The effects on the environment
Is bamboo toilet paper better for the environment? The answer is yes based on the growth rate of bamboo. Interestingly, bamboo can reach a height of three feet in 24 hours. It will take decades for a tree to keep up with the amount of pulp that bamboos can produce annually.
Replacing trees with bamboo gives the former a chance to multiply in numbers. This is an act of kindness towards nature. The demand for toilet paper is met without destroying the environment.
Admirable characteristics of bamboo toilet paper
The bamboo toilet paper review that I read mentioned these admirable characteristics of bamboo toilet paper. When I started using it, I agreed with the said review.
- Absorbent
Bamboo toilet paper is extremely absorbent since it can hold water that is three times its weight. It can endure liquid for a longer time. Therefore, it’s more absorbent than other kinds of toilet paper.
- Durable
Bamboo is an eco-friendly material and proves to be durable by its strength-to-weight ratio. This characteristic is passed to bamboo toilet paper through instilling the bamboo fibers. It’s tough so it doesn’t easily give in to tearing. You can depend on the durability of either the one-ply or the two-ply. But the strongest one is the three-ply. Despite durability, bamboo toilet paper is not rough on the skin.
- Gentle on skin
This toilet paper is gentle on the skin even though they are strong and durable. You’ll be surprised that it even feels softer than the regular ones. It won’t be harsh on your skin since it doesn’t have harsh chemicals. No strong chemicals are added during the manufacturing process. BrillaBoo, Caboo Tree, and Betterway are good choices.
- Can bamboo toilet paper go down the toilet and the plumbing system?
Bamboo has low pulp content so it’s not damaging when flushed in the toilet. You won’t have to worry about clogs if you flush it down because it doesn’t cause a smooth surface like other toilet paper. Single-ply, two-ply, and three-ply are all flushable without creating any issues. When they’re flushed down, they break apart even with little water.
Moreover, the fibers in the bamboo toilet paper fully disintegrate so it’s not only biodegradable but also septic-safe. Because it doesn’t contain harsh chemicals, it won’t disrupt the essential microbes for breaking down waste in the septic tank. To conclude, bamboo toilet paper septic safe won’t give you trouble!
Comparing Bamboo Toilet Paper and Regular Toilet Paper
1. Content
The concern in the content of toilet paper is whether there are harsh chemicals or not. Regular toilet paper is treated with chlorine, whereas bamboo toilet paper steers clear from chemicals. The wood used in making regular toilet paper goes through treatment that delivers carcinogenic toxins, which are also harmful to the environment.
2. Texture
Bamboo toilet paper is softer than toilet paper made of recyclable materials. But the one with virgin pulp competes with its softness. Toilet paper made of bamboo and virgin pulps is gentle on the skin. Due to the absence of chemicals, bamboo toilet paper won’t irritate your skin.
3. Clogging issue
Regular toilet paper establishes a smooth surface, and it’s the reason why it can clog your toilet. On the other hand, toilet paper made of bamboo breaks down easily even with little water so it won’t bother you with clogging issues.
4. Effect on septic tank
The bond of the bamboo fibers is looser than the basic toilet paper. Hence, it dissolves faster in water. Unlike regular toilet paper, bamboo toilet paper doesn’t have corrosive chemicals that can destroy the microbes that break down waste inside a septic tank.
5. Eco-friendly
Due to the fast growth of bamboo, there are no adverse effects on the environment. Nowadays, the regular toilet can be made of recyclable materials, such as pre-consumer (paper, books and other paper products) or post-consumer (wood offcuts and wood chips) items.
This is a great contribution to preserving the environment. There’s no need to cut down trees so it doesn’t tolerate deforestation. If traditional toilet paper is made of virgin pulp, it’s a different story since it means the continuous cutting down of trees.
6. Price
When comparing prices, toilet paper from virgin pulp is the cheapest. The ones made of bamboo and recyclable materials are at a more competitive range.
Wipe Away With the Ideal Toilet Paper!
It’s reasonable to be conscious about the toilet paper you and your family use. Your skin condition, toilet, and plumbing are at stake. But it all depends on your preference and needs when choosing between bamboo toilet paper vs regular toilet paper. Of course, your budget has a part in your decision too.
Additionally, Another alternative is to use wet paper; read now the comparison between wet wipes vs toilet paper t
I’m Paulk Webb, and I work as a writer for Saveourwaterrebates. I’m happy to put in the time and effort to conduct market research to identify the most pressing issues faced by households concerning their plumbing. Feel free to check out our guides to get the most informed recommendations for how to solve your problems.