Toilet Paper and Deforestation: Is Your Toilet Paper Killing Trees?

Toilet paper. It looks harmless enough. It serves a necessary purpose. But could it also be a cold-blooded killer?

Well, let’s not get carried away. Toilet paper doesn’t mean to kill trees. However, many toilet paper brands use non-environmental methods that destroy forests and plant life. 30,000 trees (10 million trees a year) are cut down every day to meet toilet paper demand. It takes about 384 trees to create the toilet paper one person uses in their lifetime.

Fortunately, there are solutions. Bamboo toilet paper is an eco-friendly choice.

Toilet Paper and Deforestation

Toilet paper is typically the by-product of virgin trees. These are old-growth trees that take at least 100 years to reach maturity. Once destroyed, they are difficult to replace.

Deforestation means the loss of beautiful greenery and wildlife homes. But there is deeper environmental damage to consider.

• Trees Fight Global Warming: Trees absorb carbon dioxide. Without them, greenhouse gas emissions are released into the atmosphere and contribute to global warming.
• Regulates Water: Picture an area without greenery. It is often dry and barren. That’s because trees regulate the water cycle. They release moisture into the air that helps regulate weather patterns. Without them, there is less water in the atmosphere and soil which negatively affects the ability to grow crops.
• Flooding and Soil Erosion: Trees help the land retain water and topsoil which provides nutrients that are beneficial to plant and animal life. Without trees, the soil erodes. The land is not sustainable for agriculture and is prone to flooding.
• Loss of Animal and Plant Species: 70% of plants and animals live in forests. When trees are cut down, they are left without a home. They also lose their nice, shady covering creating a desert-like environment that can be fatal to some species.
• Effects on Indigenous People: Many indigenous people count on forests as a source of food, building materials, medicine, and cultural resources. Deforestation can be dangerous to their mental and physical well-being.

Is Bamboo Toilet Paper the Solution to Toilet Paper Deforestation? 

Bamboo toilet paper is a preferred option due to bamboo’s fast growth rate. According to the Guinness World Records, some species of bamboo can grow up to 2.91 feet per day or 1.5 inches per hour. So, even if bamboo is cut down, it will regenerate quickly and benefit the environment.

Unlike tree pulp, bamboo toilet paper is biodegradable. It breaks down naturally in the environment without leaving behind harmful residues. The wood pulp used to make traditional toilet paper leaves behind bleach and other chemicals that can damage the atmosphere.

Bamboo toilet paper is also soft and incredibly strong. It has natural antibacterial and deodorizing properties. It’s a terrific home addition for people who wish to lead sustainable lifestyles.

RB Life Brands Helps Fight Deforestation

RB Life Brands provides 100% tree-free bamboo toilet paper. Choose from our 12-pack premium rolls and our 24-pack mega rolls. Our subscription services will save you time and money.

Browse our site to learn more about what we have to offer.

By Marissa Bergen