Switching to eco-friendly toilet paper is one of the easiest zero waste swaps you can make at home. It doesn’t require any extra effort, it shouldn’t cost more than your regular TP, and there’s no reason to give up on comfort either!
Sound too good to be true? Honestly, I was skeptical too. But after trying Who Gives a Crap sustainable toilet rolls for the last few months, I thought I’d come back and give you the low-down on whether these recycled and bamboo toilet paper rolls really live up to the hype.
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Table of Contents
Why Choose a More Eco-Friendly Toilet Paper
We all know how important trees are to the environment, and to our animal friends. But with the average American using more than 140 toilet rolls a year, more and more virgin trees are being cut down in order to feed the demand.
Worldwide, a shocking 27,000 trees are cut down EVERY DAY to make rolls of toilet paper. I’ll let that sink in for a bit.
The only responsible move is to stop using the stuff. But before you install a bidet in your bathroom, there is another eco-friendly option. Recycled toilet paper, and to a lesser extent, bamboo toilet paper.
Who Gives a Crap? Who Are They?
Let’s just step back a minute and introduce this eco-conscious company in case you haven’t heard of them yet (and if so, where have you been?!).
Who Gives a Crap was created out of a mission to give back. When the founders, Danny, Simon, and Jehan, learned that 2.4 billion people (at the time) didn’t have access to a toilet, they wanted to do something about it. To this day, they still donate 50% of their profits to help build toilets around the world, in turn, helping improve poor sanitation and prevent diseases from spreading.
Australian-grown, Who Gives a Crap are very much an international company these days, and they’ve expanded from toilet paper, into other eco-friendly products such as bamboo tissues, forest-friendly paper towels, and biodegradable dishcloths (more on those later!).
Who Gives a Crap Bamboo vs Recycled Toilet Paper
Who Gives a Crap loo roll comes in recycled paper and bamboo options. Let’s take a look at how each of them stacks up.
Who Gives a Crap Recycled Toilet Paper Reviewed
Now, before you get the wrong idea. I know how recycled toilet paper sounds. To me, it immediately conjures up images of hard, brown, crunchy toilet paper that I wouldn’t want to put anywhere near my toosh!
Luckily, this recycled tp proves to be nothing like that. Now, I’ll give you a little disclaimer that I’m not extremely fussy about toilet paper. I mean, it’s got one job right? How hard can it be?
As long as it feels ok, and gets the job done. I’m good. So for the purposes of giving a more critical review, my whole family have been using this toilet paper – including my much more discerning husband. Not only is he extremely picky about toilet paper, but he also used to work in a factory that makes the stuff – so he has an idea or two about what makes a good roll.
In order to test out the two types of toilet paper, we used bamboo loo rolls exclusively in the upstairs toilet, and recycled toilet paper exclusively downstairs, so we could accurately compare how each felt and performed.
So how does recycled toilet paper feel?
My opinion: A lot better than expected. At first, the difference between WGAC recycled paper and our usual store-bought supermarket paper was noticeable. It’s not as “fluffy” or light, but it’s certainly not hard or rough either. As a bonus, the 3-ply roll is thick, so you need less, and it’s strong.
Husband’s opinion: It took him a little while to get used to it. Like me, he initially missed the fluffiness of supermarket loo roll. But now says he’s happy with the comfort of the recycled toilet paper, and he’d happily use it until the end of his days. If given a choice though, he’d go with the bamboo.
Son’s opinion: It’s good. What can I say, he’s a boy of few words (unless he doesn’t like something!). He didn’t remark about the change, and his only question when informed was “is it made out of recycled toilet paper” (asked with a scrunched-up nose). Luckily, if you’re wondering the same, it’s not.
Conclusion – This is our toilet paper of choice and it’s on repeat order now!
Here are a few more reasons I love this TP:
- A roll lasts a really long time. The double length rolls means I’m greeted with the frustrating sight of an empty loo roll hanging on the holder (why am I the only one who refills?!) far less frequently!
- It’s shipped in bulk. No more running out, or wondering if we have to buy some at the store.
- It looks great in your bathroom. Our toilet has open shelving, which means you can see the rolls on display. Luckily with their fun prints and quirky jokes/sayings, they’re a source of entertainment while you’re doing your doo.
Recycled Toilet Paper FAQS
Is it expensive?
At face value, it may seem so. But when you drill down to the cost per sheet it actually stacks up with supermarket toilet paper brands.
What’s it made from?
Who Gives a Crap toilet paper is made from post-consumer waste paper – from offices and schools. It’s sourced locally to where the loo rolls are made, to reduce shipping emissions.
Isn’t individual wrapping wasteful?
This was my initial thought too. But after reading about the how’s and the why’s, it makes sense. In short, hygiene rules require wrapping, and this was the most eco-conscious choice (rather than using a thicker paper to wrap several rolls, or plastic). The wrappers themselves are of course recyclable and printed with biodegradable vegetable dies. You can also reuse them in creative ways! I’ve been known to use them as wrapping paper in a pinch!
Is Who Gives a Crap Toilet Paper Septic safe?
Yes! Luckily for us, as we have a septic tank at home.
How Many Sheets per Roll?
400 sheets.
Who Gives a Crap Bamboo Toilet Paper Reviewed
As you might guess from the name, the bamboo offering is the premium toilet paper from Who Gives a Crap. Made from 100% Bamboo fibres, it’s not as environmentally friendly as the recycled option, as it’s not taking waste out of the system, but it’s still a good option over traditional toilet paper.
The bamboo is grown on small family farms, as a supplemental income for the farmers. Meaning no land is cleared to grow this sustainable crop.
So how does bamboo toilet paper feel?
My opinion: OK, I see what the fuss is about. This feels like premium toilet paper. The kind you’d expect to find in a fancy hotel or restaurant. Nicer than the regular toilet paper from the supermarket, with a silky feel instead of a fluffy one.
Husband’s opinion: “Yeah, this stuff is good. I could easily get used to using this every day.” He also remarked on how strong and thick it felt.
Son’s opinion: “It’s good. It feels soft”. Like I said, few words. After asking further, it turns out he couldn’t tell the difference between this and the recycled paper.
Conclusion – bamboo tp is noticeably a more luxurious product than recycled paper toilet paper. But given the price difference, and the fact that we were all very happy with the recycled paper, we decided to stick with that long term.
If you’ve got someone in your house who is reluctant to make the switch to sustainable toilet paper, perhaps start with the bamboo option, to show them how good eco-friendly can feel!
Bamboo Toilet Paper FAQS
Is it expensive?
Bamboo toilet paper costs a few cents more per roll than recycled toilet paper. And there are a few less sheets per roll too. So all up, it may cost a little more than your usual grocery store toilet paper. But it’ll be worth it!
What’s it made from?
100% sustainably sourced bamboo fibers.
Is the packaging different?
The premium bamboo toilet paper is individually packaged in biodegradable, recyclable paper wrappers, just like the recycled option. However, instead of bright and fun packaging prints, the designs are more upmarket and are in a black, white and gold theme.
Is Who Gives a Crap Toilet Paper Septic safe?
Yes! Just like recycled toilet paper, this bamboo toilet paper shouldn’t cause any issues with your septic tanks. We’ve been using it at home for months and can confirm this is the case for us.
How Many Sheets per Roll?
370 sheets.
Is Who Gives a Crap a Good Company?
Ok, so we’ve learned that they make good loo roll. But is Who Gives a Crap a sustainable toilet paper company? What else are they doing to help the planet? And where is Who Gives a Crap Manufactured?
Woah there, ok, you’ve got questions! That’s cool, I did too. In this world of greenwashing, it’s good to do your due diligence after all.
So let’s start with a biggy.
Where is Who Gives a Crap Made?
Well, this one may surprise you. It’s made in China. But before you click away, read on to find out why this isn’t necessarily as bad as some would have you believe.
For starters, they initially tried to get their paper products manufactured in Australia (where they started out), but couldn’t find a partner willing to make their product. In addition;
- The raw materials are sourced from China, so it makes sense not to have to ship them somewhere else for manufacturing.
- Chinese manufacturers were willing & able to produce the Who Gives a Crap products plastic-free. Remarkably, this was hard to find elsewhere.
- The factories they work with in China are BSCI certified. Meaning, in a nutshell, that the worker’s rights are upheld.
- You can read more about their reasons for choosing to manufacture in China, here.
What about Social Responsibility?
Who Gives a Crap started with a mission to provide toilets to those in need. To this date, they’ve donated more than $10 million to the cause!
Why toilets? Because contaminated water contributes to more than a million deaths every year. Without toilets, waste ends up in the same water that people use for washing and cleaning.
WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) is an initiative that aims to save millions of lives through access to clean water, soap, and toilets.
Is Who Gives a Crap Zero Waste?
All of Who Gives a Crap’s products are 100% plastic-free. Even the tissue paper boxes and supermarket six-packs.
The packaging is recyclable and biodegradable. So while not 100% zero waste, these are materials that can go back into the production cycle, or break down in compost.
To reduce packaging, and their carbon footprint, they sell toilet paper in minimum quantities of 24 rolls. These are sent out in a large cardboard box. As of now, these giant boxes are still closed using plastic packing tape, but this is due to be phased out shortly.
They also offer carbon neutral shipping, and they’re a certified B-Corp company.
How to Buy Who Gives A Crap Toilet Paper
Who Gives a Crap is available in the US, EU and Australia. You can purchase their high quality toilet paper either as a one-off purchase, or as a regular subscription service which renews every 8, 12, or 16 weeks. There is free shipping if you spend over €20, and as mentioned above, they offset all carbon emissions.
Other Eco-Friendly Products from Who Gives a Crap
No longer happy with just saving our toilets from plastic waste, the folks at Who Gives a Crap are now tackling the problem of kitchen waste too! Check out the sustainable products below that make great alternatives to your household disposables.
DREAM CLOTHS
Move aside unsustainable sponges, these compostable washcloths are changing the way we wipe up spills.
Made from 100% plant-based ingredients, these wonder-workers will last up to 9 months! They’re machine washable, and hold up to 13x their weight in water.
FOREST-FRIENDLY PAPER TOWELS
There’s no need to cut down trees to make single-use paper towels when you can make them from sustainable sugarcane and bamboo instead!
These 2-ply kitchen roll towels are perfect for spills and messes, and those dirty jobs where you just can’t quite kick the paper towel habit!
BAMBOO TISSUES
These eco-friendly tissues are made from 100% bamboo, making them strong, soft, and sustainable.
Each box contains 65 3-ply tissues, and they’re sold in cardboard boxes of 12.
While washable handkerchiefs are preferable, it’s always handy to have a few soft tissues about the place, and these tick all the right boxes.
We hope you found this Who Gives a Crap Toilet Paper review helpful in deciding whether it’s the right product for you and your family.
And just remember, Who Gives a Crap offers a risk-free trial period – if you don’t love it, you can send back unused rolls for a full refund!