The future of toilet paper

When you reach for a roll of toilet paper, do you ever stop to consider what it’s actually made from? Within 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 explore the key materials, from the traditional to the innovative, and identify the type you use.

Pure Virgin Pulp

This is the most common material for toilet paper worldwide. It’s made directly from trees, often softwoods like pine from managed forests. The fibres are processed and usually bleached to achieve a bright white finish. Production methods are established and it is easy to produce at scale.

Recycled Paper

Recycled toilet paper is made from post-consumer waste paper — office paper, magazines, and other discarded materials. Collecting this is an established business practice, although as society moves to paperless communication the supply will dwindle. Intensive treatment is required to restore whiteness.

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 all around the world.

Recycled Cardboard

Virgin cardboard offcuts are increasingly being used for toilet paper manufacture. This fibre has never been printed on or contaminated, making it a smart, energy saving use of what is otherwise an industrial waste.

Sugarcane Bagasse

Sugarcane is grown primarily in tropical and subtropical regions, where the climate supports its fast growth and high yields, like Brazil. It’s a waste product, and sustainable but shipping distances, like to the UK, can counter this benefit.

Miscanthus Grass

An exciting 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.

Sustainability Ranking for UK Toilet Paper Use

Considering full lifecycle impact, including raw materials, production methods, and transport distance to the UK - this is how it all compares

Feature / Material	Virgin Wood Pulp	Sugarcane Bagasse	Bamboo Pulp	Recycled Paper	Recycled Cardboard	Miscanthus Grass
Deforestation Impact	High	N/a	N/a	N/a	N/a	N/a
Chemically whitened	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Growth Speed	Decades	<1 year	<1 year	N/a	N/a	<1 year
Location	EU/UK	Brazil	China	EU/UK	EU/UK	EU/UK
Softness	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐	⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
SUS Score	⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

So, what's the verdict on your toilet paper?

With the innovative ways of repurposing waste materials like cardboard and new virgin sources such as Miscanthus grass beginning to lead the way in sustainability, it is time to reconsider what you are currently using. Technological advancement means that is no longer about having to sacrificing quality and comfort, and with production and processing being established within Europe you can be sure of reliability of supply and reduced carbon in transport networks.

Are you interested in discovering what your options are??

Let’s dive into your washroom strategy in a quick 15 minute chat—no hard sell, just ideas, book a slot today.

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We're looking forward to exploring how you could save money, boost your green credentials, and help the planet.

Exploring the Future of your Toilet Paper