Soft, luxe, and reliable for the task at hand – that’s what one looks for in a good roll of toilet paper. From 1-ply to three, patterned or plain, most of us purchase and use this essential product on the regular, often without giving much thought to it.

But did you know that the common purchase of this humble tissue actually involves the consumption of water by the ton, the cutting down of forests, and can also cause plumbing problems for your house?

With the average person using more than 100 rolls per year, this daily habit isn’t as sustainable as you might think. Why not make a small change by selecting an eco friendly toilet tissue, and effortlessly save trees, water and pesky maintenance costs on your pipes.

Read on to learn more about switching to eco friendly toilet paper.

So, what's the problem with toilet paper?
Toilet paper is made from different ingredients depending on the company, but most are mainly made of paper pulp. And this is where we get down to the nitty gritty and the good versus the ugly when it comes to TP.

Way ahead of any other, the most common source of paper pulp is pure wood, also known as virgin fibre. Virgin fibre is not a recycled ingredient – unlike bamboo or recycled sources – and it’s never been used in any other product.

Sadly, up to 27,000 trees are sacrificed daily to make virgin fibre, with the end product being toilet paper. Such trees go through mills to make wood chips, which then are sent through a high-energy chemical process creating paper pulp. Finally, the pulp is whitened through chemical bleaching.

This entire process generates a whopping three times more carbon than with other types of pulp, such as pulp used to make newspapers. On top of that, the manufacture of just one toilet paper roll can use around 37 gallons (140 litres) of water.

Bringing the issue inside our homes, the thick and less degradable types of toilet paper can lead to clogging and plumbing issues.

Whilst all of this stinks, there is a growing, eco-considerate, and plumbing-friendly path to take to exit this dilemma once and for all.

The eco friendly option
Nothing is easier than switching to eco friendly toilet paper in the 21st Century.

As with the movement away from plastic straws, there are countless alternatives when it comes to sustainable brands – all the while holding to your preferred texture, strength and ply.

As more and more companies move to sustainable production, the cost of eco friendly products are decreasing. You can also wipe easily, knowing that you are supporting new eco-conscious entrepreneurs and businesses, many of whom donate funds in support of environment-focused organisations.

When it comes to specifics, the first and by far the best eco friendly brands are those made from 100% bamboo - an extremely renewable and widely available resource.

Further, bamboo is completely biodegradable and septic-free, leaving no strain on your household mechanics.

Remember to choose a non-decorated brand, and bring a book to the loo instead, as the dyes and chemicals can damage the environment, and your skin.

Of course, there are those of us that will ditch the tissue all together in favour of the more European-style bidet and wipe-free method. Don’t worry; zero judgements here. However, if you prefer your toilet paper safely stocked at home for when nature next calls, and the peace of mind that you deserve, why not make a conscious choice and go for the planet-saving, eco friendly option.