The Future of Toilet Roll

Exploring the Fibres of Your Loo Roll

When we reach for a roll of toilet paper, we rarely stop to consider what it’s actually made from. But behind every sheet lies a complex story of sourcing, sustainability, and supply chains. As more consumers aim to make eco-conscious choices, understanding the different fibres used in toilet paper is more relevant than ever. Let’s break down the key materials currently in use — from the traditional to the innovative.

Pure Virgin Pulp (From Trees)

This is the most common material for toilet paper worldwide. It’s made directly from trees — often softwoods like pine and hardwoods like eucalyptus. The fibres are processed and usually bleached to achieve that bright white, soft finish most consumers expect.

Pros:

Consistent softness and strength, easy to produce at scale

Cons:

Requires felling trees, high water and energy usage. Bleaching process adds chemical impact

Recycled Paper

Recycled toilet paper is made from post-consumer waste paper — office paper, magazines, and other discarded materials. This, too, is usually bleached, though often using less harsh processes than virgin pulp.

Pros:

Reduces the need for virgin trees, utilises existing waste streams

Cons:

Can be less soft and more prone to disintegration. Bleaching and de-inking still require chemicals. Quality can vary based on input materials

Bamboo

Bamboo toilet roll has become a buzzword in sustainable living. Bamboo grows incredibly fast, requires no pesticides, and regenerates after harvesting, making it seem like a perfect solution. However, much of the world’s bamboo is grown and processed in China, then shipped overseas.

Pros:

Rapidly renewable resource. Strong and soft fibres

Cons:

Long supply chain means a large carbon footprint for UK consumers. Often marketed as sustainable but lacks local sourcing.

Verdict: Bamboo makes a lot of sense in Asia, especially China — but for the UK, the environmental benefits are undermined by the shipping impact.

Miscanthus Grass (Elephant Grass)

A newcomer to the scene, Miscanthus is a perennial grass grown in Europe. It thrives with little water or fertiliser, grows quickly, and sequesters large amounts of carbon as it matures.

Pros:

Locally grown in the UK and EU. Low input, high output crop. Strong sustainability credentials

Cons:

Still early in commercial toilet paper production, availability and scale are developing

This could become a game-changer for sustainable toilet paper with a short supply chain and serious environmental benefits.

Virgin Cardboard Waste

Brands like Satino PureSoft are exploring the use of clean, virgin cardboard offcuts — think packaging trimmings — as an input for soft, high-quality toilet paper. This fibre has never been printed on or contaminated, making it a smart, circular use of what would otherwise be industrial waste.

Pros:

Reuses clean industrial waste. Maintains quality without virgin tree pulp. Usually locally sourced

Cons:

Limited by supply of suitable cardboard waste. Less well known to consumers

So, What’s the Best Fibre for the UK?

If you’re in the UK and want to make the most sustainable choice, look for fibres that are:

Locally grown or sourced

Low impact to produce

Part of a circular system

That puts Miscanthus and virgin cardboard waste at the forefront of the next generation of eco-conscious toilet roll. Bamboo, though better than cutting down trees, may not be the best option for regions far from where it’s grown.

As innovation continues, we’ll hopefully see more toilet paper made from fibres that support the planet and local economies. The days of “soft equals sustainable” are gone — it’s time to look deeper.