“Wait, isn’t all toilet paper biodegradable?”
That’s a question that many people have when they look for eco-friendly alternatives to regular toilet paper. And while we can try to tell you about the dangers of everyday toilet paper and how it ruins our ecosystem, that’s simply just not the case.
Technically speaking, all toilet paper is biodegradable. It’s designed to break down in water over time and dissolve into nothingness. That’s about as “biodegradable” as it’s going to get.
But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t alternatives for people looking for a more eco-friendly way to clean yourself.
Keep in mind that everyday toilet paper is made from virgin wood fibers comprised of softwood and hardwood trees. To put it into perspective, we could save 540,000+ trees if every American household replaced a 70-sheet virgin fiber roll of toilet paper with one made from 100% recycled materials.
Regular toilet paper is also often treated with chemicals that can do your body more harm than good, all in the name of being as soft as possible.
We defined biodegradable toilet paper as toilet paper that’s been created with materials that both support the environment and help foster a healthy body. And to make sure that our readers can find what they need, we created this list “Top 10 Best Biodegradable Toilet Paper of 2022”.
We hope that you find it useful. If you did, leave a comment at the bottom of this page and let us know!
Note: We are committed to extensively researching and recommending the best products on the market. We are partnered with Amazon’s affiliate program and may receive commissions from affiliate links within our content, which comes at no extra cost to you.
Top 10 Best Biodegradable Toilet Paper of 2022:
1. Green Forest Premium 100% Recycled Bathroom Tissue
Key Features:
- Very soft and lengthy
- 100% high-quality recycled paper
- Processed chlorine-free (PCF)
Green Forest’s Premium 100% Recycled Bathroom Tissue tops our list as the #1 pick for biodegradable toilet paper. Greenpeace, along with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), also ranked Green Forest as their top brand, which is a testament to just how good this product is.
This product is made from 100% recycled paper fiber. Of that percentage, at least 90% is made from post-consumer recycled content. That means that this toilet paper is primarily made from materials that have already been used, meaning that no additional materials were needed to make this paper.
In turn, this means that no trees were cut down to make the paper.
The paper is also specially comprised of high-grade recycled paper. That means that the bathroom tissue is not only stronger but also softer than other brands of recycled bathroom tissue. Considering that most recycled toilet paper has issues with softness, this is a big deal.
It’s whitened (bleached) without chlorine. That is to say, it’s processed chlorine-free (PCF), which limits the concentration of chlorine-based toxins to a negligible level while also making the paper as soft as possible.
And don’t worry about your septic system. According to the manufacturer, the toilet paper is readily biodegradable and septic-safe. That means that it will quickly dissolve in water and not leave unwanted residues that could clog anything.
This paper is hypo-allergenic and doesn’t have any added fragrances or dyes, so you don’t have to worry about any hidden problems that could mess with any sensitivities that you may have. This brand focuses more on making the product as natural as possible without adding more treatment than necessary.
Most toilet paper brands reduced their sheet size to 4 x 4 inches. But Green Forest’s toilet paper keeps its size at 4.5 x 4 inches. This may not seem like much, but the extra half-inch of toilet paper makes a difference for the messier jobs.
Recent user reviews have been highly favorable. The consensus praises that paper’s softness and toughness, claiming that this brand is easy to switch to if you are used to regular toilet paper.
So if you are looking for a high-quality, soft biodegradable toilet paper that keeps your best interests in mind, we highly recommend checking out Green Forest’s Premium 100% Recycled Bathroom Tissue.
2. Coleman Camper’s Toilet Paper
Key Features:
- Great for travel
- 100% biodegradable paper
- Design makes it easy to carry
If you are a frequent traveler or just prefer to have your toilet paper on the go, Coleman Camper’s Toilet Paper is one of the best options for biodegradable toilet paper.
The roll itself is made of 2-ply, premium toilet paper. This paper is very soft and amazing for on-the-go use. Don’t expect to make this brand into a household item, as the toilet paper only comes in 3 roll packs.
Moreover, the rolls themselves aren’t that long when compared to regular name-brand toilet paper. This paper only has 65 squares per roll.But this toilet paper makes up for the quantity with quality. It’s a longer-length roll that’s designed to fit into travel bags and even pants or jacket pockets. This gives it a unique level of ease by which you can take this paper just about anywhere.
Up a mountain, near a lake, in a hostel, and even places that are in very rural areas. It’s one of the most convenient toilet paper brands for travel.
But how does it fare in terms of use? As it turns out, very well! This biodegradable toilet paper is considered safe by the manufacturer and supported by claims from hundreds of satisfied users.
And while there is no obvious way to check if the materials were made from eco-friendly/body-friendly materials, there are some signs to suggest that this is the case, such as the fact that this paper is unscented and won’t trigger allergies related to artificial fragrance.
As we alluded to earlier, user reviews for this unassuming toilet paper brand have been stellar. Many praise the paper’s ease of portability and strong, 2-ply nature.
If you are looking for a biodegradable toilet paper brand that focuses more on being environmentally-friendly and less on travel usability, then you might be disappointed with this brand.
But if you are looking for biodegradable toilet paper that’s amazing for travel, then you can’t go wrong with Coleman Camper’s Toilet Paper.
3. Silk’n Soft Bamboo Toilet Paper
Key Features:
- Made exclusively from bamboo
- 3-ply sheets per roll
- ECF (Elemental Chlorine-Free) Processing
Silk’n Soft’s Bamboo Toilet Paper emphasizes the use of bamboo to an excellent degree, as the name may suggest.
This is preferable to normal toilet paper because no trees are required to make it. Bamboo also one of the fastest-growing plants (it’s a member of the grass family, which should tell you how fast it grows) out there, meaning that it’s easy to make a lot of toilet paper without using time-consuming resources.
The company behind this toilet paper goes as far as to do all of this in a low-impact, bio-fuel facility to ensure that there is a very small carbon footprint behind their product.
The bamboo is also specially extracted from a region uninhabited by pandas to not remove their food supply, demonstrating good animal conservation habits.
Each roll is classified as 3-ply, making it equivalent to a 300-sheet standard roll. These rolls are bleached through an ECF (Elemental Chlorine-Free) process to ensure that the rolls are soft enough to be enjoyed.
It’s also made exclusively from bamboo. That’s right, this toilet paper is 100% made of bamboo. And of course, the paper is biodegradable, fragrance-free, BPA-free, and septic-safe. As this is not recycled or tree-free toilet paper, it’s softer while still not harming the environment.User reviews have been overall positive.
Most users had a satisfactory experience with this brand, praising the softness as the best quality. Some had stated that the perforations in the paper itself aren’t deep enough to tear easily.
Others comment that the paper rips a bit too easily while in use and that it’s 3-ply nature is a bit misleading.
Others still commented while the brand was indeed softer than other biodegradable toilet paper brands, it still wasn’t as soft as regular toilet paper.
It’s worth noting that this product was voted as the Product of the Year in 2013, which is the world’s largest consumer-voted award for innovative products.
So if you are looking for a well-beloved and time tested option for bamboo-made biodegradable toilet paper, then we recommend checking Silk’n Soft’s Bamboo Toilet Paper.
4. Dream Bright Bamboo Pulp Toilet Paper
Key Features:
- Made from natural/native bamboo pulp
- 3-ply roll per sheet
- Very absorbent
Dream Bright’s Bamboo Pulp Toilet Paper is another eco-friendly take on biodegradable bamboo toilet paper.
This brand of toilet paper uses 100% natural/native virgin bamboo pulp as the primary material in their paper. This makes the toilet paper septic-safe, durable, and comfortable to the skin.
The company recognizes that switching from regular toilet paper to biodegradable, eco-friendly toilet paper can be tough due to the softness and strength differences. To solve this issue, they focus on making these areas as similar to regular toilet paper as possible for their eco-friendly paper.
No part of the toilet paper has its eco-friendliness compromised to make this happen, as even the roll cores are made from recycled cardboard.
This 3-layer bamboo toilet paper is also rather absorbent. It’s able to absorb up to 30% more water than other unbleached toilet paper brands. It also won’t leave any power or residue behind, so you don’t have to worry about finding an unwanted piece stuck somewhere later in your day.
This paper is especially good for hot flush toilets due to its premium water absorption ability.
There are no harmful additives, no fluorescent agents, nothing that can compromise your health or the health of anyone who uses this paper. By using this paper, you will be supporting an eco-conscious company and feel good doing it.
There are currently no Amazon reviews at the time of writing this, but don’t think that stopped us. Users across the web have used this toilet paper and left some helpful reviews.
Many say that the best part of using this toilet paper its strength and absorbency. Some say that the paper didn’t degrade as well as they had hoped in their septic system but noted that the paper didn’t cause any problems even with long term use.
So if you are looking for a high-quality brand of biodegradable bamboo toilet paper that’s specially designed to make the transition to a greener lifestyle a bit easier, then we recommend checking out Dream Bright’s Bamboo Pulp Toilet Paper.
5. Firebelly Outfitters RV Toilet Paper
Key Features:
- Dissolves very quickly
- 2-ply roll per sheet
- Specialized for RV use, but can be used at home as well
While this toilet paper doesn’t seem to be made from eco-friendly materials (as far as we could find), there’s no doubt that Firebelly Outfitters’ RV Toilet Paper is one of the best “biodegradable” toilet paper brands out there.
For those who hesitate to make the full jump to true eco-friendly, biodegradable toilet paper should consider starting with this one first.
The toilet paper is designed to be used in RV plumbing systems, which requires more manual intervention to keep things running smoothly. To do so, this toilet paper is a bit thinner than similar brands (2-ply) so that the paper quickly dissolves. This makes it one of the best toilet paper options in terms of septic-safeness.
You are less likely to experience sewer drain clogs, which can save a lot of money. If you plan to use this in an RV, you’ll be able to enjoy increased RV septic tank capacity. Waste will also flow much more easily through the sewer hose.
It’s important to note that this toilet paper contains no dyes, is fragrance-free and has no parabens.
This means that the paper is certainly better for your health when compared to regular toilet paper, though it doesn’t quite reach the health standards achieved by 100% eco-friendly toilet paper.
It dissolves very quickly and doesn’t have any lasting impact on the great outdoors. The company made this toilet paper after having trouble finding products that worked but weren’t harmful to the environment, so you can rest assured that this toilet paper is designed to be eco-friendly after use.
User reviews have been overwhelmingly positive.
Many point out how fast it dissolves in their septic systems and others still comment on the high quality of the paper itself. Some, however, had issues with the thickness of the paper and wished that it was a bit thicker.
If you are looking to take the first step into high-quality, eco-friendly, and biodegradable toilet paper, then we highly recommend you check out Firebelly Outfitters’ RV Toilet Paper.
6. Seventh Generation Toilet Paper
Key Features:
- 100% recycled paper
- 2-ply sheets per roll
- FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Certified
Seventh Generation’s Toilet Paper is a brand that takes a unique eco-friendly approach to how toilet paper is created.
This toilet paper is made from 2-ply 100% recycled paper, of which a minimum of 50% is post-consumer recycled paper. And while that may seem odd, remember that recycled toilet paper is thoroughly processed to achieve high safety standards; you won’t even be able to notice the difference.
This paper is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which is responsible for the conservation and prosperity of forest life.
There are no added dyes, inks, or fragrances that could harbor unwanted, harmful chemicals. And best of all, this toilet paper is whitened without any chemicals that contain chlorine.
Whitening (also known as bleaching) without chlorine gives you all of the benefits of soft, smooth paper without the harmful chemicals that come from chlorine.According to the manufacturer, this toilet paper is septic-safe and compatible with low-flow toilets.
But recent user reviews paint another story. Some of them had issues with the paper not breaking down and clogging toilets. Others have remarked that they had no issues until the paper’s formulation had changed, leading to performance problems.
There’s no denying that this toilet paper is made with quality, healthy, and eco-friendly materials. The fact that it’s not bleached with any chlorine does wonders for the health of the human body.
The biggest complaint is that it’s not as septic-safe as it used to be, which can be mitigated through sparing use.
If you are interested in picking up a solidly eco-friendly brand of toilet paper and don’t mind its septic tank performance, then we recommend checking out Seventh Generation’s Toilet Paper.
7. WHOLEROLL Organic Bamboo Toilet Paper
Key Features:
- Company plants trees with every purchase
- Zero chemicals = very good for the body
- Tightly wound to conserve space and be easily transported
WHOLEROLL’s Organic Bamboo Toilet Paper is an excellent choice for people with sensitive skin that are looking to live a greener lifestyle. This is because this brand of biodegradable toilet paper emphasizes the use of zero chemicals.
That’s right, ZERO.If you are looking to keep chemical-laden toilet paper far, far away from your body, then this brand has you covered. The paper is made to be delicate and soft (cotton-like) to the touch; you won’t have to worry about any roughness or skin abrasions.
It’s also BPA-free, lint-free, allergen-free, septic-safe, cruelty-free, and forest-friendly. Since it’s made from bamboo pulp, not a single tree is cut down to make it. Only bamboo is used, which is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world.
This brand is tightly wound, much more than your average brand. Some users see this and think that you get fewer sheets, but this is not the case.
The 2-ply paper comes with 200 sheets per roll at 4.25 inches, which is larger than the industry standard. That would be compared to 220 sheets for the industry standard, so you get more value out of the price.
This company is actively continuing to support the environment by planting a tree for every pack purchased. These trees are planted in the Gulf Coast regions previously damaged by storms through a partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation.
Finally, they are also certified by the FSC, greatly supporting the company’s eco-friendly claims.But how does it rate among users? Turns out, pretty well!
Recent user reviews have been extremely positive. While some say that it’s not as soft as advertised, many praise the strength of the rolls and the fact that you can use fewer sheets due to its thickness.
So if you are looking for a premium, top-quality biodegradable toilet paper managed by a company that actively supports the environment, then you need to check out WHOLEROLL’s Organic Bamboo Toilet Paper.
8. Seventh Generation Unbleached Bathroom Tissue Roll
Key Features:
- Made from 100% recycled paper
- No chemical treatment = very healthy for the body
- Hypoallergenic – great for those who have sensitive skin
Seventh Generation’s Unbleached Bathroom Tissue Roll is not for the faint of heart (or butt, in this matter). We won’t sugar coat it. This toilet paper is rough to the touch and is likely to be jarring to you who are used to “fluffy cloud” levels of softness.
But in terms of eco-friendliness and health-consciousness, it’s hard to beat this brand of toilet paper.
Since this toilet paper contains no dyes, inks, or fragrances, you don’t have to worry about harmful chemicals lurking behind these materials.
But what’s unique about this brand of toilet paper is that it’s unbleached, meaning that no chemicals have been used to treat it. It’s only made of 100% unbleached recycled paper from which a minimum of 80% is post-consumer content.
Why is this significant? Even the best of non-chlorine bleaching techniques have a small chance of introducing unwanted chemicals to your skin. But unbleached toilet paper is essentially free from chemical influence, making it the best toilet paper for your body’s health.
That’s a big deal.
Furthermore, the manufacturer claims that it’s septic-safe, sewer-safe, hypoallergenic, and good for low-flow toilets commonly found in campers and RVs.
Unlike the other toilet paper made by Seventh Generation, this one doesn’t have users commenting on poor septic tank performance.
User reviews have been overall positive. Many do comment on the fairly abrasive texture, but only a few would classify as this quality as a deal-breaker.
People praise the unbleached nature of the product, claiming it’s a godsend for people who are sensitive to whiteners. They also enjoy supporting a product that puts the environment first.
So if you are looking for biodegradable toilet paper that’s made with virtually no chemicals and don’t mind a little roughness, then we recommend checking out Seventh Generation’s Unbleached Bathroom Tissue Roll.
9. Aria Premium, Earth-Friendly Toilet Paper
Key Features:
- Extremely soft
- Strong and durable
- SFI (Sustainable Forest Initiative) Certified
Aria’s Premium, Earth Friendly Toilet Paper doesn’t compromise quality performance with sustainable manufacturing. They aim to deliver the best of both worlds.
The paper is 2-ply, but don’t let that fool you. It’s strong enough to hold even with vigorous use and thick enough to keep together even while wet. It’s 50% thicker and 3x stronger than the leading recycled brand.Best of all, it retains the softness commonly found in regular toilet paper.
How do they do this? By using the trees, of course. But before you dismiss this toilet paper, know that it is made from responsibly-sourced trees. That means that all wood purchases have met the requirements of the SFI (Sustainable Forest Initiative) and meets the Certified Sourcing Standard.
Furthermore, all energy used to make this toilet paper comes from 100% renewable energy sources. The company plants 3 trees for every 1 that is used to make their paper.
The majority (52%) of the packaging is made from plant-based materials instead of conventional fossil fuels. This packaging is also recyclable.While we believe that it would be better to not source trees altogether, this is a strong eco-friendly alternative to other forms of biodegradable toilet paper.
It’s septic-safe, BPA-free, ECF (Elemental Chlorine-Free) processed, dye-free, fragrance-free, formaldehyde-free, cruelty-free, and eco-conscious.
It’s not recommended for use in campers and RVs, as the paper is strong/durable and will take more time/water to break down than what is usually possible in an RV or camper.
User reviews have been highly positive. Many praise the paper’s softness and its ability to retain its eco-friendly composition with a respectable level of strength/durability.
Some commented that this brand of toilet paper seems to attract a lot of fluff, lint, and dust, which can be a turnoff for some people.
If you are looking to pick up one of the softest biodegradable toilet paper options out there, you can’t go wrong with Aria’s Premium, Earth Friendly Toilet Paper.
10. Bim Bam Boo Toilet Paper
Key Features:
- Made from 100% bamboo
- No chemicals = great for sensitive skin
- FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Certified
Bim Bam Boo’s Toilet Paper is a colorful addition to the eco-friendly family of biodegradable toilet paper. This brand specializes in making toilet paper that’s great for people with sensitive skin while also being eco-conscious.
This paper is made from 100% bamboo, making this tree-free 2-ply toilet paper. Using bamboo is always a good thing for the environment as bamboo consumes fewer resources in paper production and is far more sustainable than trees are.
Better yet, even the packaging is made from USDA certified, Bio-Preffered Plant-Based, Petroleum-free recycled cardboard toilet paper (quite a mouthful).
The toilet paper is BPA-free, formaldehyde-free, chlorine-free, fragrance-free, and free of any glues. It’s also FSC certified, lending credibility to the company’s claims.
Because the toilet paper doesn’t have a bunch of these chemicals, it’s fantastic for people with sensitive skin. You won’t have to worry about experiencing allergic reactions or unpleasant irritations due to its hypoallergenic makeup.
It’s also septic-safe; the company even conducted flushability tests to confirm that this was the case. They are so confident that this toilet paper will not cause any septic tank problems that they offer a money-back clog-free guarantee.
Finally, each eco-friendly roll is wrapped in tissue paper and packed into a case of toilet paper that’s fully recyclable/compostable. No part of the toilet paper, whether it be the roll itself or the packaging, is wasteful and directly damaging to the environment.
There are no issues with lint either, according to several user reviews.Speaking of those, user reviews have been overall positive.
Many praised the softness and strength of the toilet paper. Others commented on the size and how each roll was smaller than they had hoped. A few had conducted their own “septic-tank tests” and concluded that the paper didn’t degrade in a timely fashion (little degradation after 1 hour).
If you are looking for biodegradable, eco-friendly toilet paper that goes above and beyond for those who have skin sensitivities to chemicals found in regular toilet paper, then we recommend checking out Bim Bam Boo’s Toilet Paper.
What to Look Out for When Picking Biodegradable Toilet Paper:
Composition
As you know, all toilet paper is technically considered to be biodegradable. But true biodegradable toilet paper is both septic-safe and environmentally conscious, so make sure to check that the toilet paper of interest meets these guidelines.
Biodegradable toilet paper should be made from sustainable materials, which is usually different varieties of plants. Bamboo, sugar cane, and even hemp are just some materials that can be used.
Normal toilet paper is usually made of hardwood and softwood, so avoid toilet paper that lists these materials.
Confirming whether or not the toilet paper is septic-safe can be challenging without testing the paper yourself. We recommend relying on user reviews, as people who experience issues with degradation will usually make their dissatisfaction clear.
The more people who have issues, the more likely that the manufacturer is making bogus claims about their “septic-safe” toilet paper.
Softness or Roughness
We will be the first to admit that eco-friendly toilet paper is not usually the softest option. This is usually because biodegradable toilet paper is made out of rougher, fibrous materials instead of the sheets of processed wood.
So if you are interested in softer biodegradable toilet paper, we highly recommend first checking out the manufacturer claims and then looking at user reviews.
If the toilet paper is even remotely soft, the manufacturer will certainly say as much. If there is no such claim, then you are out of luck. But if there is, look at user reviews next.
They will often mention the softness (or lack thereof) of the toilet paper in question, which is a good indicator of how soft it actually is.
And even if it’s a little rougher than normal, using biodegradable toilet paper is a great way to help save the trees.
Bleaching/Other Chemical Treatment
This section refers to chemical processes that toilet paper goes through before being packaged for use.
Traditionally, regular toilet paper is treated with a variety bleach alongside a variety of other chemicals that can be detrimental to your health. An excerpt from mamavation.com expands on chemicals found in regular toilet paper:
“Many of them contained a variety of PEG compounds. Ethoxylated ingredients (like PEGs) on their own are of low concern to humans, however, the process of ethoxylation can leave behind trace amounts of carcinogens: ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane.”
Bleaching toilet paper with chlorine is how to make the material soft and easy on skin. Unfortunately, chlorine bleach can create dangerous toxins like dioxin and various furans. When these toxins accumulate in the body, they can create serious health concerns.
Bleaching in it of itself isn’t a bad thing. Just make sure that you are using toilet paper that’s been treated with as little chlorine as possible.
Look for these bleaching alternatives in your biodegradable toilet paper:
- Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) = Paper bleached with safer chlorine derivatives
- Process Chlorine Free (PCF) = Recycled paper that has not been re-bleached
- Totally Chlorine Free (TCF) = No chlorine used
- Unbleached = Untreated paper. Usually very rough to the touch
While it can be tough to find biodegradable toilet paper that’s just as soft as regular toilet paper, it’s hard to deny the improvement that it will have on septic system.
Using biodegradable toilet paper also helps support companies that engage in environmentally-healthy practices, which we wholeheartedly recommend.
And that’s the end of this article! We enjoyed making it and hope that you found it to be useful.
Got something you want to tell us? Leave a comment below! We’d love to start a dialogue and answer any questions that you guys may have.
Until next time, let’s continue to strive towards a greener, better world!