9 Best Zero Waste Toilet Paper Brands for a Cleaner, Plastic-Free Bathroom

Here we cover the full range, from biodegradable toilet paper to zero toilet paper alternatives. If you want to go truly zero waste, using no toilet paper at all is the purist (or rather, poo-ist) approach. Our guide to reusable toilet paper can help if you want to explore that path, and we’ve included a few options on the list below.

In this guide, we focused on featuring the best plastic-free toilet paper brands (many of which we’ve personally tried and tested) that balance sustainability with practicality. The flushable toilet paper on this list is made from responsible materials like FSC certified bamboo or recycled paper, and many of the others are small or women led businesses that care about ethical manufacturing.

We also considered thoughtful, plastic-free packaging as a priority. Whether you prefer truly zero waste solutions like bidets or reusable cloths, or simply want to switch to a lower waste toilet paper alternative, every swap here helps reduce waste from the bottom up.

Note: Our Brand Rating System assesses brands against a range of 22 criteria including the packaging, climate action, biodiversity impact, chemical use, and more. 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 and find other rated brands in our directory.

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. 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.

On top of that, the plastic packaging wrapped around most conventional brands adds another layer of waste. Each year, billions of single-use plastic TP wrappers contribute to microplastic pollution and landfill buildup. Yet brands like Who Gives a Crap have proven it’s completely unnecessary. The brands on this list use recycled paper, compostable wraps, or no packaging at all, showing that protecting your behind doesn’t have to come at the planet’s expense.

By choosing to use plastic-free or zero waste toilet paper alternatives, you’re helping cut both deforestation and plastic pollution, two of the biggest waste streams linked to our most basic daily habit

When it comes to choosing low to no waste toilet paper, we looked at two main approaches: the zero waste options like reusable cloth wipes and bidets, and the plastic-free disposables that still make day to day life easy for most people. While reusable options are the ultimate waste free solution, we recognize that many may not be ready for family cloths or electric bidets, or may be concerned about the broader impacts of washing reusable wipes, and the end of life outcomes of bidets. For these folks, we also included flushable toilet paper brands that focus on eliminating single use plastic, and minimizing resource impact.

For the plastic-free flushable toilet paper brands, we prioritized FSC certified bamboo sourced from responsibly managed forests, or those made from recycled paper. We also looked for brands that avoid conventional chlorine bleaching, dyes, and PFAS. You’ll notice a few unbleached options on the list too, which eliminate bleaching altogether.

Across the board, we favored small and women led businesses and those committed to ethical manufacturing and transparent supply chains. We also prioritized brands that have been rated by us on their sustainability credentials, as this gives us a deeper understanding of their operations. And of course, we included products that someone on the Sustainable Jungle team has personally tested and can recommend.

Perhaps most importantly for this article, we paid close attention to packaging, because even the greenest option loses points if it’s wrapped in plastic. The brands featured here use recycled paper, compostable wrappers, or no packaging at all.

We looked for certifications like FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) for responsibly sourced materials, B Corp for transparency and verified social impact, and SGS testing for PFAS-free assurance. For reusable alternatives, we loved the use of GOTS-certified organic cotton or other natural fibers designed to last through countless washes without synthetic coatings or microplastic shedding.

Tips For Using Less Or No Toilet Paper

We encourage you to take baby steps and work your way there. Start by just learning how to use less toilet paper and using better toilet paper when you do.

If you need a little help taking the plunge(r), we recommend installing a bidet like Tushy (our Head of Content, Amber has used one for years now and loves it). 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, Amber uses about one roll a week for two people, which is far less than the average 2.6 person household’s 7.3 rolls per week (or ~3 rolls per person).

FAQs About Zero Waste & Plastic-Free Toilet Paper

Can toilet paper be zero waste?
Yes, but it depends on how you define it. To us, zero waste toilet paper means there’s nothing left behind (no plastic wrap, no microplastics, and ideally no tree-based pulp that contributes to deforestation). Reusable options like bidets and washable cloth wipes are some of the most low-waste choices (though come with end-of-life considerations), while plastic-free toilet paper made from recycled or FSC-certified bamboo is the best disposable alternative.

Is zero waste toilet paper worth it?
Absolutely. Traditional toilet paper not only uses significant water, energy, and trees to produce but also comes wrapped in plastic that often can’t be recycled. Choosing zero waste toilet paper supports more sustainable resource use, helps reduce plastic pollution, and encourages brands to adopt cleaner manufacturing practices. Many people also find unbleached or bamboo versions to be just as soft and strong as conventional rolls.

Do zero waste people use toilet paper?
Some do, and some don’t. Many in the zero waste community prefer bidets or reusable cloth wipes to eliminate paper waste altogether. Others choose plastic-free toilet paper brands that use bamboo or recycled paper and come in compostable or recyclable packaging. The key is minimizing single-use plastic and making conscious, long-lasting swaps.

What can you use instead of toilet paper?
If you want to skip disposable rolls completely, consider reusable cloth wipes made from soft organic cotton flannel, like those from Green Little Nest or Marley’s Monsters from this list. Pairing them with a bidet or handheld sprayer helps keep things hygienic (it’s basically a mini shower followed by a towel dry). Just wash the wipes in hot water with a natural detergent, and they’ll be ready to reuse.

Is bamboo toilet paper zero waste?
Mostly, yes, but it depends on the brand. The bamboo zero waste toilet paper on this list is made from fast-growing, FSC-certified bamboo and shipped in plastic-free packaging. While it’s still a single-use product, it’s biodegradable, compostable, and much less resource-intensive than tree-based rolls. Brands like Betterway and Naked Paper offer unbleached, PFAS-free options that minimize both chemical and packaging waste.

Where can I buy plastic-free toilet paper?
Most zero waste toilet paper brands sell directly online, often with bulk or subscription options to cut down shipping impact. Try trusted names like Who Gives a Crap, Betterway, or Naked Paper in the UK. All of these use recycled or bamboo materials and plastic-free packaging.

Even if you’re not ready to go completely paper free, switching to plastic-free or zero waste toilet paper is a simple way to make your daily routine more sustainable. Choosing rolls wrapped in recycled or compostable paper instead of plastic may seem small, but it helps cut both packaging waste and deforestation.

Try using fewer sheets, opt for unbleached varieties, and support brands that prioritize ethical sourcing and thoughtful packaging. Little swaps like these make a big difference over time, especially when you add up that impact wipe after wipe, year after year.

Now don’t be a party pooper and help us roll out the good word about these ‘no waste’ toilet paper alternatives by sharing this article.

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in early 2020 and has been updated several times since. It received a major refresh in October 2025 to include new brands, updated sustainability insights, and current product testing results.