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At Apex Plumbing, we applaud the efforts made by the community of Columbus, Ohio, to keep the environment safe and healthy for future generations. Many in our community are turning to eco-friendly options for various activities in their lives. When you go to a restaurant, you see many using metal straws. Reusable bags are popular in grocery stores. Other small things are being done to keep the planet safe.
Some not-as-apparent changes that people are making make a huge difference. One example is using eco-friendly toilet paper. Going eco-friendly does not mean that you need to use a cloth or a bidet. We are not saying that these zero-waste options are not effective. They are. For many people, though, it is a more considerable change than they are ready to make. A small change in the type of toilet paper you purchase can make a huge difference.
Understandably, you don’t want to waste hard-earned money on something that is just going to be flushed down the toilet. However, several affordable eco-friendly toilet paper options won’t break the bank, are comfortable to use, and will meet your family’s toilet paper needs.
Is Buying Environmentally Friendly Toilet Paper Beneficial?
Before you go out and purchase eco-friendly toilet paper, it is good to understand why making the switch from regular toilet paper is beneficial. Traditional toilet paper is made from the pulp of virgin softwood. This comes from the trees that populate our forests.
On average, each American will use 140 rolls of toilet paper during the year. Approximately 42 billion rolls of toilet paper are used in the United States every year. Think about the number of trees that need to be cut down to produce that toilet paper and the amount of energy used to not only cut the trees but also make the toilet paper. Toilet paper use has a more significant impact on our environment than most people think.
The value of trees cannot be overstated. Without them, we would lack air to breathe. Trees prevent soil erosion and are a bulwark against climate change.
In addition to the trees, we have to think about the habitats within the forest. Losing trees means losing several wildlife species. This has a trickle-down effect on the indigenous populations in certain parts of the world.
Each roll of toilet paper requires 1.3 kilowatts of electricity and 37 gallons of water. There are also the vast amounts of toxins and chlorine used in paper pulp production.
Understandably, many communities are fighting to create a zero-waste bathroom. Here are some of the best eco-friendly toilet paper options.
Eco-Friendly Recycled Toilet Paper
There is a lot of interest in recycled toilet paper as an eco-friendly option. But what is it? Is it made from old bathroom tissue that people previously used the clean their backside?
No. You don’t need to worry about that. Regular toilet paper is the final possible use of the fibers from other paper products. As such, toilet paper cannot usually be recycled. You can breathe easily because recycled toilet paper is not previously used toilet paper. It is made from other paper materials that have been recycled. These include both pre-consumer and post-consumer materials.
Post-consumer materials are those that someone used and then recycled instead of chucking them in the trash. This includes newspapers, books, magazines, etc.
Pre-consumer materials include manufacturing waste. These are materials left over by a manufacturer that have never been used by a consumer. These include trimmings and scraps from wood manufacturing, wood leftover in landfills, and paper products that have never been used.
When you look for recycled toilet paper, you will see that some of it is made entirely from post-consumer materials. Other brands are completely pre-consumer materials. Some offer a mix of both. Others are a mix of recycled material and virgin fiber.
The brand you purchase matters. Only buy recycled toilet paper from companies you trust. Recycled toilet paper is made of materials you usually wouldn’t flush down the toilet in its original state. But the recycling process makes it toilet friendly, so there’s no risk of it ruining your septic tank.
According to the National Resources Defense Council, recycled toilet paper is better for the environment for several reasons. It has a smaller environmental footprint than using virgin fiber. Using pre-consumer recycled material alleviates pressure on the forest. This is good for biodiversity and animal welfare.
Eco-Friendly Bamboo Toilet Paper
Bamboo is the world’s fastest-growing plant. Chinese Moso bamboo can grow up to one meter a day. Bamboo toilet paper is eco-friendly, skin-friendly, sustainable, and typically made without tree pulp.
One issue that people have with recycled toilet paper is that it is not as soft as traditional toilet paper. On the other hand, bamboo toilet paper is smooth, antifungal, antibacterial, absorbent, and odor resistant.
Since bamboo grows so fast, it is a sustainable and renewable product. Bamboo grows 30 times faster than trees. This is a great thing because around 270,000 trees are flushed down the toilet as toilet paper each day.
Bamboo can be harvested every year. To put your mind at ease, the bamboo used to make toilet paper is not the same bamboo that pandas eat. It does not impact their livelihood.
Bamboo toilet paper is completely biodegradable. It doesn’t have harsh BPA chemicals or other harmful agents. Growing bamboo is terrific for the environment. Bamboo produces one-third more oxygen and absorbs one-third more carbon than trees. Bamboo toilet paper is an excellent option for those concerned about protecting the environment while not wanting to sacrifice quality.
What Is the Most Eco-Friendly Toilet Paper?
Recycled paper has the lowest impact between recycled paper and bamboo toilet paper, especially if it is made from post-consumer waste. Toilet papers that are processed chlorine-free or elemental chlorine-free protect the water and air.
If you are ready for a more radical alternative, weed mullein leaves work amazingly. The leaves are fluffy, soft to the touch, skin safe, and surprisingly absorbent.
There are several options for traditional toilet paper. Only 30% of the world uses toilet paper. If you are looking to have an environmental impact, it is good to research some of these alternatives.
Working with the Top-Rated Plumber in Columbus
At Apex Plumbing, we are invested in the well-being of our customers, their homes, their businesses, and the environment we live in. Our team of skilled plumbers is available 24 hours a day to help you with your plumbing needs. We provide five-star service for every customer all the time.
If you need a burst pipe repaired at 3 AM or a leaky faucet fixed at noon, we can help. Our services include plumbing, drainage sewer repair, sump pump installation, water heater repair, leak detection, etc.
Your home is your most significant investment. We promise that we will give you the highest level of service every time you call. There is no problem that is too challenging or too simple for us to handle. Contact Apex Plumbing today.
We look forward to helping you.
