9 Best Organic Toilet Paper Brands For A Non-Toxic Tush

Why Choose Non-Toxic Toilet Paper Brands?

Both the toilet paper industry and the hygienic practice could stand going down the drain for once and for all.

Early in the 1900s, the process of mass clearcutting Boreal forests to create virgin tree pulp that’s then heavily bleached and chemically-produced somehow became central to our approach to cleanliness.

In the century-plus since, not much has changed. 

Meanwhile, the hidden costs of toilet paper are horrendous to both the body of Earth and ourselves.

27,000 trees per day are flushed down the planet’s toilets, including thousands of acres of boreal forest per minute; in Canada, one million acres of it per year. 

The process uses 37 gallons of water, 1.5 pounds of wood, and 1/3kWh of electricity to produce one single roll.

One tree yields about 1,000 rolls, so one American will wipe out 384 trees during their lifetime.

And we still use highly toxic chlorinated bleach to whiten the paper too, about 253,000 tons per year. If you’ve ever driven past a modern paper mill, you know how toxic those chemicals are. The radius of harmful stench lingers for miles and miles. 

Meanwhile, the toilet paper supply chain for North America remains fixed to a small group of powerful corporations who receive little reason to innovate beyond their large toxic mess, as their product and its process continue to contaminate our bloodstream and our ecosystems for their profit.

Luckily, today we can demand an alternative—and we know those fuzzy kittens and cuddly teddy bears in their marketing only serve as a distraction from the actual brutal business. 

So, is toilet paper non-toxic? 

Those traditional wads sure aren’t, which is why we’ve made a handy list of some of their common chemicals to be avoided (whether you have sensitive skin or not). Should you wish to avoid things like anal fissures, hemorrhoids, vulvar dermatitis, UTIs, and more…

Chlorine Bleach:

Did you know bleached paper is one of the most carcinogenic products known to science? 

When conventional toilet paper is bleached with chlorine bleach, carcinogenic chemicals like dioxin are released into the atmosphere, plus they’re released into our skin and bloodstream when we wipe. These toxins then accumulate in our bodies, which can lead to serious health problems.

Meanwhile, there is no reason to keep using such harmful methods. ECF bleach methods and hydrogen peroxide are significantly less toxic and form no harmful by-products. 

PFAS:

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, AKA “forever chemicals,” are ubiquitous manufacturing chemicals that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) links with a range of serious issues.

These include decreased fertility, increased risk of certain cancers, hypertension in pregnant people, developmental delays in children, low birthweight, hormonal irregularities, elevated cholesterol, reduced immune function, and more. 

Even some recycled and supposedly “healthy” toilet paper brands were tested and confirmed to contain the PFAS organic fluorine.

BPA: 

Also known as bisphenol A, it is a likely toxic endocrine disruptor that’s been linked to cancer, heart disease and infertility.

It has been detected in some toilet papers, especially recycled options.

Formaldehyde: 

It’s used to strengthen the paper to stop it from tearing, but carcinogenic formaldehyde in toilet paper has been linked with chronic vulva irritation

…Need we say more? 

Synthetic Fragrances: 

Since manufacturers aren’t required to disclose what comprises their fragrances, we have no way to know if the ingredients are harmful or will cause an allergic reaction to sensitive skin. 

Phthalates (potent endocrine-disrupting chemicals) and synthetic musks typically hide in there, which are also linked to obesity, hyperactivity in children and degraded sperm quality.

Talk about a bummer, right? 

Not to use a potty mouth, but(t) it’s !@#$ing time to change our wasteful, toxic toilet routine. 

We never wanted our wiping to wipe away our health and our species’ survival on this planet, which is why our methods to “take care of business” need to radically reframe our business-as-usual toilet mindset. 

After all, the average human lifespan includes two to three years on the can. Let’s make them count.

How We Found the Best Organic Toilet Paper

We hope that by now we’ve answered your question, “Where can I buy chemical-free toilet paper?

But now let’s switch from the why and where to how we chose these organic toilet paper manufacturers.

Materials:

Organic toilet paper, like these sustainable tissues, are typically made from bamboo, while the reusable type is typically made from organic cotton. 

Look for materials that are organically, sustainably, and ethically produced, and preferably with a sustainable forestry certification.

• Certifications: Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)

Supply chain & labor practices:

How the products are made is likewise important. Fortunately, many of the brands here use bamboo ethically sourced from small-scale local farmers who grow bamboo as a second income.

• Certifications: B Corporation (B Corp), Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI)

Carbon commitments & green practices: 

Manufacturing TP creates carbon, full (potty) stop. We like to discover how brands reduce their impact aside from just the products they make, like using renewable energy, non-toxic and closed loop processes, carbon offsetting, tree planting, and initiatives to reduce emissions throughout their supply chain.

The brands featured here also use plastic-free packaging, opting for biodegradable or compostable materials instead. 

Community & charitable giving:

The best tushy-tender makes us feel good afterward, and that feel-good post-wipe feeling only increases with knowing your purchase helped the environment or those lacking access to basic hygiene products.

Paying it forward matters, and we love to prioritize brands with charitable initiatives.