During this uncertain time of the Coronavirus pandemic, while the world is stocking up and staying put, let's consider the environmental effects of Toilet Paper. The fact is that "business as usual" in the TP industry is unsustainable and is accelerating the climate crisis.
But there is a VERY EASY SOLUTION! Purchase Recycled Toilet Paper!!! Here are some facts we've researched to consider each time you flush the toilet.
The US accounts for 4% of the world’s population, but consumes 20% of the world’s produced toilet paper.
Americans use 36.5 billion rolls of toilet paper every year, representing about 15 million trees. This also involves 473 billion gallons of water and 253,000 tons of chlorine to bleach it white.
Virgin wood pulp for toilet paper comes from forests throughout North America, but Canada is facing the quickest cutting of virgin forests in the world.
Canada, where most of the trees that make toilet paper come from, isn’t even in the top 10 for consumption of toilet paper.
Recycled toilet paper only makes up 2% of sales for at-home use in the US.
Besides saving trees, recycled TP production takes 50% less water, 64% less energy, and makes 74% less air pollution than fluffy not-recycled TP.
The NRDC, Natural Resources Defense Council, released a sustainability "report card" for the top producers of toilet paper in February 2019.
We've tried most of the A-rated brands and agree with the blogs out there that Seventh Generation Recycled Toilet Paper is the softest recycled toilet paper option - on par with the softest non-recycled brands. Another great option is Natural Value, which is just fine in softness and is lesser in price,
Have a little fun experimenting during this time of social distancing and try out several brands of recycled toilet paper for yourself. You'll find one you love AND you'll help save the planet every time you flush!
- Karri Ann Frerichs