Eco-Friendly Toilet Paper in the UK: Top Recommendations

Making more sustainable choices is on many of our minds, and these decisions extend to our everyday household essentials. When it comes to your weekly shop, choosing an eco friendly toilet paper can feel like a small change, but it's one that contributes to a larger positive impact. However, the shelf is crowded with terms like "bamboo," "recycled" and "plastic-free," which can make it difficult to know what you're actually buying.

This guide is designed to help you navigate the options. We'll break down what makes a sustainable loo roll a thoughtful choice and highlight some popular products to help you find one that suits your household's needs and values.

How to Choose Sustainable Loo Roll

Before looking at specific products, it helps to understand the key features that define eco-friendly toilet tissue. Keeping these points in mind will make your decision much clearer.

Bamboo vs. Recycled Paper

The two main materials you'll encounter are bamboo and recycled paper.

• Bamboo toilet paper is made from bamboo pulp. As a type of grass, bamboo grows incredibly quickly, requires less water and land than trees and regenerates from its own roots, making it a highly renewable resource. It's often noted for its strength and softness.
• Recycled toilet paper is made from post-consumer recycled materials, such as used office paper and textbooks. This process diverts waste from landfills and avoids the need to cut down virgin trees, directly helping to conserve forests.

Look for Plastic-Free Packaging

A significant part of a product's environmental footprint is its packaging. Many consumers are actively seeking plastic free toilet paper to reduce household waste. Brands are responding by using materials like recyclable paper wrappers for individual rolls and cardboard boxes for shipping, which are much easier to recycle in the UK.

Consider Your Skin's Needs

If you or someone in your family has sensitive skin, the composition of your toilet paper matters. Many eco-friendly options are made without the use of harsh chemicals, inks, dyes or fragrances. This minimalist approach makes them a suitable choice for toilet paper for sensitive skin, reducing the risk of irritation.

Eco-Friendly Toilet Paper Recommendations

Here are a few options that showcase the different types of sustainable toilet paper available, each with its own unique characteristics.

Ochama Bamboo Toilet Paper Roll, Five-Layer Thickened, 27 Rolls

Why It Stands Out: This option from Ochama is notable for its five-layer thickness, which is more than the standard three-ply. This construction is designed for enhanced strength and absorbency, while the unbleached bamboo pulp maintains a soft feel.

Pros:

• Made from 100% bamboo fibre.
• Five-layer construction for added strength.
• Soft texture suitable for sensitive skin.
• Large family pack of 27 rolls offers good value and convenience.

Who is it for? This is a practical choice for larger families or households that prioritise stock levels and durability. The combination of a high roll count and five-ply thickness means it's built to last.

The Cheeky Panda Quilted Soft Sustainable Bamboo Toilet Tissue, 9 Rolls

Why It Stands Out: The Cheeky Panda focuses on comfort with its quilted embossing technology. This creates a three-dimensional texture on the 3-ply bamboo paper, aiming for an extra soft and thick feel without compromising on strength.

Pros:

• Made from sustainable bamboo pulp.
• Quilted texture for enhanced softness.
• Free of fluorescent agents and bleaches.
• According to the brand, it contains natural bamboo kun for antibacterial properties.

Who is it for? Individuals who are switching to bamboo toilet paper but don't want to give up the cushioned, soft feel of premium conventional rolls. The 9-roll pack is also convenient for smaller households or for trying the product out.

Who Gives A Crap Extra Soft Double Length Toilet Roll, 6 Pack

Why It Stands Out: This is Who Gives A Crap's premium offering, made from 100% FSC-certified bamboo. It's designed to be noticeably softer and stronger than many recycled paper alternatives. The double-length rolls (370 sheets) also mean you'll be changing the roll less often.

Pros:

• Made from 100% FSC-certified bamboo.
• 3-ply thickness for a balance of softness and strength.
• Free of inks, dyes and scents.
• Double-length rolls for added convenience.
• Certified free from PFAS, formaldehyde and heavy metals.

Who is it for? Those looking for a premium, gentle experience. It's an excellent choice for people with very sensitive skin or anyone who wants the environmental credentials of bamboo without sacrificing comfort.

Who Gives A Crap Classic Soft Double Length Toilet Roll, 6 Pack

Why It Stands Out: This is the brand's classic recycled toilet paper, made entirely from post-consumer waste paper. It uses no virgin trees and comes in the same convenient double-length roll format, offering a straightforward and impactful way to reduce your environmental footprint.

Pros:

• Made from 100% recycled paper.
• 3-ply design balances comfort and absorbency.
• Completely free of inks, dyes and scents.
• 100% plastic free paper packaging.
• Bleached with hydrogen peroxide, not chlorine.

Who is it for? The environmentally-conscious consumer whose top priority is reducing deforestation and making use of recycled materials. It's a direct, no-frills approach to sustainable living.

Looking for More Options?

If you haven't found the perfect fit here or you'd like to compare a wider selection of sustainable options, you can browse our full collection. From different materials to various pack sizes, there are plenty of choices to suit your needs.

Explore our full range of sustainable toilet tissue

Frequently Asked Questions about Eco Friendly Toilet Paper

1. Is bamboo toilet paper really better for the environment? Compared to toilet paper made from virgin trees, bamboo offers several environmental advantages. It grows much faster, requires less land and water and doesn't cause deforestation. Recycled toilet paper is also an excellent eco-friendly choice, as it gives a second life to paper waste that would otherwise end up in a landfill. Both are strong alternatives to traditional loo roll.

2. Is sustainable loo roll safe for septic tanks? Most bamboo and recycled toilet papers are designed to be biodegradable and are generally safe for most properly maintained septic systems. The products listed here are all stated to be biodegradable and septic-safe. However, it is always a good practice to check the product's packaging for specific information.

3. Why does eco friendly toilet paper sometimes feel less soft? While some early versions of recycled paper may have had a reputation for being rough, modern manufacturing has improved significantly. Many current recycled toilet paper products use a 3-ply construction to enhance softness. Furthermore, bamboo toilet paper is known for its naturally soft and strong fibres, offering a comfortable experience that many find comparable to conventional premium brands.