If you’re pursuing the lifestyle goal of low or zero waste, eventually you’ll have to confront the least favored challenge: toilet waste. The very nature of the toilet involves a lot of waste, after all. So what do we do(o) when it comes to zero waste toilet paper?
Here we cover all the different options—from biodegradable bamboo tp to no toilet paper alternatives—but if you’re looking to go truly zero waste, then no toilet paper whatsoever is the purist (or rather, poo-ist) approach (our guide on reusable toilet paper might help further if you’d like to explore this path).
But we understand that’s quite the commitment, so start by learning how to use less toilet paper and choosing better more low waste toilet paper options when you do.
Our new Brand Rating System now takes many more sustainability related criteria into account, from the packaging your poo wipes come into the climate commitments a brand has made. Look out for rated brands on the list below who have opted in to be more open and transparent with us about their sustainability journey.
We independently research all featured brands and we ask them to confirm their claims. In many cases we personally review recommended products. This post contains affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you buy something. Learn more here.
The Best Plastic-Free Toilet Paper We Loo-ve
Who Gives a Crap has been a staple in our low waste lifestyle for many years. They are a mission based social enterprise who donates 50% of their profits and take plastic reduction very seriously (they’ve almost completely eliminated it in their entire production process). Who Gives a Crap has been comprehensively rated by us on their sustainability credentials (and shared their approach to plastic reduction) – find the full rating here.
Tushy goes far beyond plastic-free TP with sleek and modern bidets that scrap toilet paper altogether for a waste-free water spray. We’re not kidding when we say that their Ace Electric Bidet, complete with heated water, a heated seat, and a bum blowdryer, is a life-changing experience!
Or opt for tree-free TP from Save Trees. We love using their renewable bamboo that’s made without the usual chlorine bleach, and, dyes, and scents.
Index: Zero Waste Toilet Paper Brands
- Who Gives A Crap Jump to section
- Save Trees Jump to section
- Tushy Jump to section
- Reel Jump to section
- Marley’s Monsters Jump to section
- Grove Collaborative Jump to section
- Naked Sprout Jump to section
Who Gives A Crap
Compostable
All or some products are compostable, either in an industrial facility or at home
Ethical Sourcing
Raw materials have been sourced ethically with people and planet in mind.
Green Energy
Brand exclusively uses green energy to power their headquarters.
Plastic-free
All products are entirely plastic-free
Recycled materials
Some or all products are made with recycled materials
Thoughtful packaging
Product packaging has been designed and created with the end of life outcome in mind and can be easily recycled or composted.
B Corp
FSC
Who Gives A Crap has been rated by Sustainable Jungle. Find the full rating here.
Price Range: $38–$68
Who Gives A Crap’s tp comes completely sans plastic packaging. It’s still soft on the bum, but softer still on our plumbing and the planet.
They offer 100% recycled paper rolls, free of dyes and perfumes and, at 3-ply, strong enough to handle the most enthusiastic of wipers. These are made from post consumer waste (predominantly office supplies).
They also make bamboo toilet paper which is made from FSC Certified bamboo.
Regardless of your preference, they’ll come wrapped in colorful compostable paper which you can reuse for things like dog doo bags or gift wrap.
They come in huge economical boxes to reduce frequency of orders, and thus shipping emissions.
About Who Gives a Crap
Who Gives A Crap really does give a crap, about providing affordable and responsible toilet paper and doing good in the world. They’re a Certified B Corp and donate 50% of their profits to help build toilets for the 2 billion people globally who do not have access to them.
Our Personal Review of Who Gives A Crap’s Toilet Paper:
“We’ve tried both the recycled TP and the bamboo TP, and both are perfectly soft and definitely strong enough to withstand the poke test. The bamboo TP is a little stronger, but we’d happily use either. Performance aside, we love how the paper wrapping livens up our bathroom.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Save Trees
Save Trees has not been rated.
Price Range: $37–$92
Save Trees offers “tree-free” toilet paper made not from virgin tree pulp, but renewable bamboo.
These premium 3-ply rolls are soft and strong, whitened without chlorine bleach, and absent scents, dyes, pesticides, and BPA—a good option if you have a sensitive behind. The roll wrapping is compostable and the inner adhesive strip is cornstarch-based.
While they only offer subscriptions, they offer options to delay or cancel anytime.
About Save Trees
Save Trees uses bamboo from sustainable forestry certified family farms in Asia.
Manufacturing happens there as well, but they are working on bringing manufacturing to the US as soon as possible.
Packaging and shipping plastic-free, but also ‘carbon-neutral plus’. “Plus” because they offset twice the emissions created by every order and do not offer expedited shipping to curb further waste.
Through a partnership with Food Lifeline, they donate rolls of their zero waste toilet paper to local food banks and shelters.
My Personal Review of Save Trees’ Toilet Paper:
“I’ve tested these luxurious rolls, and I’m 100% impressed. The softness? It’s like wiping with a cloud—if clouds were, you know, something that you could actually wipe with. The clever part is the weave texture on each sheet, which makes them incredibly soft while still being kind to septic tanks and the environment. Honestly, this toilet paper is a win all around.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Tushy
Tushy has not been rated.
Price Range: $59–$599
Do ‘zero waste people’ use toilet paper? We’d hazard a guess and say most do, yes, but some—some of us at SJ included—have instead adopted a classic yet still revolutionary primary means of wiping: the bidet.
Tushy’s best-selling bidets are easy-to-install DIY attachments which are added to your existing toilet without the help of a plumber. Tushy prides itself on having an easy bidet installation process which takes about 8-15 minutes (we clocked ourselves at 10 minutes).
Why foray into bidets as substitutes for toilet paper? It gives you a 99% better clean than TP, and it uses 1/8 gallon of water per use in comparison to 37 for a single toilet roll.
Bidets like the Ace are admittedly an upfront investment, but considering how much toilet paper you won’t need to buy in the long run, it ends up being just about the best option for a cheap zero waste toilet paper alternative. Especially considering Tushy’s non-electric bidet models provide a far more affordable price point for those who maybe aren’t sure if a bidet is for them
About Tushy
Tushy is revolutionizing the modern bidets for modern behinds.
They take wastefulness out of toilet waste by encouraging Americans to dump cleaning up with paper and discover the benefits of adopting the bidet lifestyle to “save money, save the planet, and save your butt”.
Tushy has also partnered with Samagra to donate a portion of the profits to building community toilets in rural India. Their ultimate goal is to help communities live healthier and more dignified lives.
My Personal Review of Tushy’s Ace Electric Bidet:
“Long ago, before Tushy even, my life was changed by the bidet. Covid toilet paper shortages inspired me to never rely on rolls again, and I’ve never gone back. The Tushy Ace Electric Bidet was a serious upgrade from my previous manual bidet, too, which had little to no pressure control, meaning I had to brace for each spritz. Not so with this. Thanks to the adjustable heated seat and water temp settings, I can crank up the heat in winter or dial it back in the summer – making it overall the most comfortable squat ever.
There’s even a built-in bum blow dryer. Worried about setting it up? Don’t be. It’s super easy to attach to your current toilet in under ten minutes (I actually timed it), and comes with a remote so you can enjoy a totally hands-off, ooh-la-la experience.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Reel
Reel has not been rated.
Price Range: $37–$83
Reel is another one of the zero waste toilet paper brands jumping on the bamboo loo train.
It’s completely plastic-free, and also free from all BPA, inks, dyes, fragrances, and chlorine bleach. The paper itself is certified “ready biodegradable” and the individual wrapping is safe for your compost bin.
Whether you’re trying it out one-time or a lifer (aka subscriber), the rolls come in boxes of 24, packaged in recycled cardboard, and shipped carbon-neutral.
About Reel
From tree-free toilet paper to recycled paper towels, Reel is out to doo doo some good.
A large part of their mission is providing safe, sanitary bathroom services for communities without, especially since co-founder Derin Oyekan grew up in Lagos where these services were few. By partnering with SOIL Haiti, they build toilets and remove harmful waste buildup, which then gets treated and turned into compost for local farmers and reforestation projects.
This California-based brand sources bamboo in China and manufactures it there as well.
My Personal Review of Reel’s Toilet Paper:
“I gave Reel’s bamboo rolls a try, and it’s some heavy-duty TP! But they don’t skimp on the softness either. It’s septic safe, but its suitable for even somewhat weak plumbing as we have. We’ve been using this impressively soft and strong TP all summer and never clogged once.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Marley’s Monsters
Marley’s Monsters has not been rated.
Price Range: $61
Marley’s Monsters make reusable UNpaper Rolls from 100% soft cotton flannel and are for those who want to be sustainable but still like the traditional “luxury soft” á la 3-ply.
One roll comes with 24 pieces that you can rewrap around the compostable cardboard center to prepare for use (or just toss them in a basket). Wash as you would reusable diapers (see guide here).
About Marley’s Monsters
Oregon-based Marley’s Monsters offers low-waste alternatives from reusable paper towels, to bath and beauty products and more.
The BRING-certified brand began when Sarah Dooley created a stuffed monster for her soon-to-be-born daughter. The fun fabric crafting really took off and now Marley’s Monsters sells globally and has its own brick-and-mortar store.
They also use entirely plastic-free shipping materials and donate textile waste to recycling nonprofits.
Grove Collaborative
Grove Collaborative has not been rated.
Price Range: $10–$22
Grove Collaborative’s Tree-Free Toilet Paper contains fibers from 100% FSC-certified bamboo that’s free of pesticides and is panda-friendly, meaning it’s not stealing a vital food source for our endangered chums.
Each 3-ply sheet is absorbent, soft, and stronger than recycled alternatives—not to mention free from dyes, inks and scents, so they’re biodegradable.
The Ultra Mega eight rolls in a pack are the equivalent of 40 standard rolls. Need more? Order packs of 18 or 24, all of which come in plastic-free packaging.
About Grove Collaborative
Certified B Corp Grove Collaborative is an e-shopping emporium based in San Francisco. They want to help customers create a sustainable home and personal care routine, by linking them up with 200+ ethical, cruelty-free, and plastic-free brands.
They also have their own Grove line which offers no plastic toilet paper among other personal care, bathroom, and cleaning essentials—like dishwasher tablets.
Every order from Grove Collaborative is 100% plastic-neutral or plastic-free. All shipments are 100% carbon-neutral too.
Naked Sprout
Naked Sprout has not been rated.
Price Range: £21–£40
Taking a swing at the title of the lowest-waste toilet paper in the UK, Naked Sprout is turning the industry on its head.
Their unbleached toilet rolls guarantee no plastic, no harsh chemicals and absolutely zero fragrances in their toilet paper, so no nasties will be leaching into the environment once it’s flushed. Opt for bamboo rolls made from renewable sources or go recycled and keep valuable waste cardboard in production. They’re just as soft and gentle on the skin.
Choose a box size of 24, 48 or 96 rolls. Order them one time or subscribe and save for the best value.
About Naked Sprout
Naked Sprout is challenging the concept that the paper industry needs to be energy-intensive.
The factory Naked Sprout uses in Spain is fossil fuel-free and entirely powered by onsite renewable energy, thus producing 50% fewer carbon emissions. It’s also fifth-generation family-owned and the world’s only Certified B Corp tissue factory.
Back to Naked Sprout, they have a transparent supply chain and ensure all workers are paid a fair wage. Their additional annual impact reports and work providing children with safe water in Kenya have given them the elite status of the highest-scoring Certified B Corp in their sector.
Why Use Less Or No Toilet Paper
Did you know the average person actually spends 3 years of their life on the toilet?
The fact is, we all poop. And everybody needs to clean their bottom to maintain basic health and hygiene, no matter how dedicated to the sustainable cause you are.
And no matter what kind of brands we choose, toilet paper waste ends up in sewers and landfills, but if we’re talking conventional TP, the process also consumes 37 gallons of water, 1.5 pounds of wood, and 1/3kWh of electricity to produce one roll. Let’s not forget that we use chlorinated bleach to whiten the paper too, using 253,000 tons per year.
Now consider that, when stretched, the average American’s toilet paper used over a lifetime would cover 634 miles, based on average use of 141 rolls per year.
One tree only produces about 1,000 rolls, so a single American will wipe 384 trees on their bum in their lifetime. That means we’re also wiping away millions of acres of trees to deforestation.
The most sustainable choice is to ditch disposable TP altogether, but we get that’s easier said than done. If you need a little help taking the plunge(r), we recommend installing a bidet like Tushy (we use the Tushy Ace). Then pat your nethers dry with a sheet or two of package-free toilet paper. That way, you’re not totally cutting out TP, but you’re drastically lessening your usage.
Using this method, we go through perhaps one roll a week for two people—which is FAR less than the average 2.6-person household’s use of 7.3 rolls per week (or 3 rolls per person).
I have cut cloth squares from worn out sheets. I don’t use them for poop, but they help cut down paper use to a minimum. Like I did with the diaper pail (many years ago) I pre-soak the soiled cloths before washing them, hang them on the line, and let the sunshine help disinfect them.
A mention on zero waste toilet cloths. Its not everyone who wants to ‘wipe and then wash’ toilet cloths but ladies why not consider using cloths to just wipe when peeing and other toilet paper for when pooing. If my partner lived on his own he could make one toilet roll last … a long time. But put females in the picture and the paper doesn’t last long at all. Sorry ladies but its a fact isn’t it? Line a small peddle bin with a washing net bag and when needed put the lot in the wash. I don’t fancy doing this for all ‘events’ but it could go a long way to help those trees.
That’s a great point Jan and would massively reduce waste, thanks!
Been doing that for a few months and have gone from using 20 big rolls per month to only 1.5-2 per month. I use a wash cloth folded as usual and get 8 “blots” per cloth. I have found a neat way to keep up with where I am so I don’t get confused in the middle of the night and reuse a side.
Sooooo. I’ve gone from using 240 rolls per year to just 18-20 per year. All females need to do this. For more info email me at [email protected].
This is amazing Pat, well done to you!
I have been on amazon for a while and I cannot find any bidet attachments that have like an air sprayer too. I’m not a mechanic or anything but spraying air doesn’t seem too far fetched right? The toilet seats that cost upwards of 200 dollars include air sprayers I think but other than that I haven’t seen any. I would love to be toilet paper free but I can’t bare the thought of putting my pants back on with my bum still wet. Any suggestions?
Hi Spencer, I’m afraid I haven’t seen any either but agree, a bum dryer sounds like a good idea! Will keep an eye out.