Recycled Toilet Paper Facts 🧻 – Is It Better To Use For The People And The Environment?

Recycled Toilet Paper Facts 🧻: What is recycled toilet paper made out of? Is using recycled toilet paper a much better alternative than virgin ones? Is recycled toilet paper safe to use? These are the questions that we will tackle for our blog today. But before you do so, why not check our blog on planned obsolescence?

---

>Download Now: Free PDF Business Owners Guide To Cardboard Recycling Bin Services

---

A bit about Waster

Before we discuss the topic on recycled toilet paper facts, let me share with you more information about Waster.

We here at Waster provide you with innovative solutions for you and your business’s waste management and recycling needs. Furthermore, we provide flexible, 30-day contracts instead of the typical lock-in contracts, which proves to be better.

Click on the blue button to learn more.

---

READ: How To Invest In Recycling ♻️

---

Why use recycled toilet papers?

Have you heard about the panic buying of toilet paper here in Australia? In preparation for the coronavirus pandemic, some have resorted to the stockpiling of toilet papers. Not only is this harmful to the market, but this also means damaging the environment.

Emphasis on “damaging the environment”. 

The manufacturing of toilet paper releases greenhouse gases that trap heat and contribute to climate change. Typically, toilet papers are made from virgin pulp. Additionally, it is much more prevalent in today’s market than its recycled counterpart. This type of toilet paper produces emits more carbon dioxide in the environment. And more trees are cut down in producing toilet paper. As a result, one would think to use recycled toilet paper more. But is this really the case? Let us delve deeper.

What is recycled toilet paper made out of?

One thing we expect to see when we read the title “recycled toilet paper facts”: its components. So first of all, I will discuss its ingredients.

According to Groovy Green Living, recycled toilet paper contains what we call post-consumer recycled content – or PCR, for short. What does this mean? Well, it means it is made out of already-used paper materials like office paper and textbooks from school. Take note, readers: they do not recycle the toilet paper! Instead of recycling soiled virgin toilet papers, handlers resort to decomposing them instead – with the proper treatment, of course.

Additionally, using recycled toilet paper also saves up energy. According to the Victorian government, recycled toilet papers, as derived from the production of paper and cardboard products made from recycled paper, uses 50 per cent less energy and 90 per cent less water than producing them from virgin materials.

Are they safe to use?

Another fact we have to consider in using recycled toilet papers: is it safe to use? According to Maia James, the founder of Gimme the Good Stuff, Inc. and contributor of Huffpost, there lies a hidden danger in using recycled toilet papers. A recycled toilet paper fact she stated is it contains BPA, which we have discussed already on plastics affecting fertility. But I will refresh your minds and discuss it again.

BPA, or Bisphenol A, affects the endocrine system negatively. It may cause miscarriages, problems in puberty, and lower sperm count. Fortunately, only small concentrations are found in it. But for me, personally, I do not want to risk it. As a result, I will present to you some alternatives for both virgin and recycled toilet papers.

Alternatives

Australia, along with other Western countries like the US and UK, really love their toilet rolls. But did you know that you can do fine without those? You can consider finding alternatives rather than buying and using virgin and recycled toilet paper. These alternatives include:

• Using a bidet –  as a young adult not from Australia – or any Western countries – I find it hard to fathom cleaning yourself up using only toilet paper. This is where bidets can help us. It is a type of plumbing attachment right next to a toilet that spews water. A wonderful insight coming from Ms James says, “Look at it this way: If you were playing at the park with your kids, and you accidentally fell in some dog poop and got it on your arm, would you grab a piece of toilet paper, wipe it off, and go about your day?”
• Buying a “tabo” – as a Filipino, I make sure we always have a “tabo”, or a water dipper, inside our bathrooms because I consider it as much more hygienic than using toilet rolls for cleaning up. Additionally, it is also a much cheaper alternative than buying so many rolls of toilet paper. This can also be seen as a solution in the growing toilet paper crisis.

In a country where a “tabo” (the Filipino’s version of dipper) is commonly essential, I don’t believe that a violent toilet paper clash—arising from #COVID19-related panic-buying—is going to be seen in a local Filipino supermarket.

(Video footage source: https://t.co/EjC7pcxR8b) pic.twitter.com/rQjS0vqnsu

— Pinoytapsilog (@pinoyanghang) March 8, 2020

• Purchasing reusable wipes – if you still insist on wiping when cleaning yourself, you could opt to buy reusable wipes, instead. You may have encountered other people saying that they use cloth wipes. Basically, they are wipes called “the family cloth” that can be cleaned and reused again after the initial use. Although for me, I do not think that this is a good practice. Read this article from Lifehacker on why not to use cloth based toilet papers and see for yourself.

Recycled toilet paper facts: conclusion

Using recycled toilet paper is the way to go as opposed to using virgin toilet rolls. It is much better for the environment because it helps divert paper waste from landfill. Additionally, it also reduces the need for more trees to be cut down and made into toilet paper. But even if it is good for the environment, it might not be that good for humans because it is said to contain BPA. There are other alternatives you can buy and use that cleans you up just as good – if not better – as toilet papers do.

Waster: things you need to know

If you’re looking for recycling bins, check our waste recycling shop and find the best deals in terms of pricing and services.

Also, please call 1300 WASTER (1300 927 837), or email us at [email protected] if you have any further questions.