When it comes to a ubiquitous household necessity, especially one for intimate personal use like toilet paper, we often take for granted that it's going to be good for us. Unfortunately, that's not always the case with traditional toilet paper.
Like many household items that aren't manufactured with your health and the environment in mind, toilet paper can contain harmful ingredients. The process of making traditional toilet paper often includes chemicals, bleaching agents, additives, fragrances, dyes, and more. However, you have a better option.
There are brands that offer natural, non-toxic options. ecoHiny is one that's committed to bringing you the best in eco-friendly toilet paper.
You may already know that we're on a major mission to provide a toilet paper product that is completely tree-free! Saving our planet's precious wooded lands from the harmful effects of deforestation is a top priority, but that's not where our sustainable vision stops.
Other substances found in traditional toilet paper cause harm not only to our planet but to our health. We want to encourage you to make a better, safer choice for several reasons.
Choosing non-toxic, eco-friendly products helps to protect the environment by reducing the amount of harmful chemicals that are released into the air, water, and soil during production and disposal.
Using non-toxic products is also important for your health and well-being since many conventional products contain chemicals that can be harmful, causing skin irritation, respiratory problems, and other health issues. By choosing non-toxic products, we can reduce our exposure to these harmful chemicals and improve our overall health.
Finally, choosing eco-friendly products helps to support businesses that are committed to sustainability and reducing their environmental impact. By supporting these companies, you can help to create a more sustainable future for ourselves and future generations. It's an exciting by-product of your purchasing power.
Here are all the details about the chemicals and substances lurking in your toxic toilet paper rolls.
Harmful Ingredients in Toxic Toilet Paper
There are a few harmful additives that can be found in some toilet paper brands. In an effort to make their toilet paper softer, stronger, smell better, or alter its appearance, companies make use of chemicals and other substances that aren't friendly to you or the environment.
One is chlorine bleach, which is used to make the paper white. Chlorine is a highly reactive chemical element. It has a strong odor similar to bleach and can cause irritation to the eyes, throat, and lungs if inhaled. Production and use of chlorine during manufacturing can release pollutants into the air and water.
Another is formaldehyde, which is sometimes used to improve the paper's strength and softness. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen that can cause respiratory irritation and headaches.
Some toilet paper may contain fragrances and dyes that can cause irritation or allergic reactions. Synthetic fragrances also can contain a wide range of chemicals, such as phthalates, parabens, and synthetic musks. These chemicals can be harmful to human health and the environment.
Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a chemical commonly used in the production of certain plastics and epoxy resins and can also be found in toilet paper.
Some studies have suggested that exposure to BPA may be linked to health issues such as reproductive problems, certain cancers, and behavioral issues in children.
PFAS stands for Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, which are a group of manufactured chemicals commonly used in various industrial and consumer products, including toilet paper. They're commonly referred to as forever chemicals because they don't readily or easily leave our environment once they're introduced. (1) Toilet paper manufacturers often add PFAS during the process of turning hardwood into pulp. Recycled toilet paper is also at risk of containing PFAS since many of the products it's made of contain them.
Benefits of Non-Toxic Toilet Paper
Switching to non-toxic toilet paper can have many benefits for both your health and the environment. When it comes to a product you use daily, why take a chance of exposure to toxic tissue?
Here's what you stand to gain when you decide to buy eco-friendly toilet paper instead.
Reduce Exposure to Harmful Chemicals
All those dangerous chemicals we mentioned? By making a better choice in your toilet paper, you're taking the exposure to them down considerably. Imagine wiping every single day with toilet paper known to contain toxins versus friendly toilet paper that's chemical-free.
Safety for Sensitive Skin and Allergies
Say goodbye to irritation, itching, rashes, and discomfort. If you have sensitive skin or are alert about ingredients due to allergies, a non-toxic toilet paper choice is necessary. If you've experienced discomfort down there, chances are it's from your toilet paper. (2)
Positive Environmental Impact
If a product is filled with toxins, then it's not going to be friendly to the environment during any part of its lifecycle. You want products that are biodegradable and compostable and reduce pollution both during manufacturing and disposal.
What are the options? Luckily, we're experiencing a surge of sustainable options for all types of household products. We'll clue you in on what's best for your bathroom.
Eco-Friendly and Non-Toxic Toilet Paper
Rather than traditional toilet paper that uses hardwood tree pulp from our forests and is likely to include any number of harmful chemicals, you can choose other options on the market.
Better choices for your health and our environment include:
- Organic toilet paper
- Recycled toilet paper
- Hemp toilet paper
- Reusable toilet paper cloths
- Bamboo toilet paper
Our expertise? Bamboo! Bamboo toilet paper has the sustainability factor that eco-conscious consumers desire, along with incredible strength and softness that can only come from bamboo. Here's why.
Bamboo's sustainability lies in its ability to grow quickly without the need for pesticides or fertilizers and requires significantly less water than hardwood trees. Bamboo is harvested without disrupting root systems and while leaving soil intact. It's naturally antibacterial and antifungal, which are bonus qualities for a personal care product.
Bamboo fibers are incredibly long and have a tensile strength stronger than steel. The length of the fibers allows for pliable, flexibly soft toilet paper, and the strength of the fibers means a job well done every time.
In addition to these qualities, the disposal of bamboo toilet paper means less of a footprint on the environment. It decomposes quickly and is completely safe for composting.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Non-Toxic Toilet Paper
When choosing eco-friendly options, consider factors such as biodegradability, sustainability, and responsibility.
Here are some questions to consider when shopping for an eco-friendly toilet paper brand:
- Is the toilet paper completely tree-free, with transparency of ingredients and responsible manufacturing and shipping processes? Choose a company that guarantees no trees and offers carbon-neutral shipping.
- Is the main ingredient a sustainable solution to traditional toilet paper's use of hardwood trees?
- Does the brand have a certification that solidifies its commitment to sustainable practices? Find a brand that is Forest Stewardship Council certified. Their certification system verifies sustainable sourcing of forest products and ecosystem services at every step of the value chain, from forest to consumer. (3)
- Is the product's packaging biodegradable and recyclable? Make sure that it's not just the toilet paper but the entire package is friendly to our planet.
When it comes to ecoHiny, the answer to each of these questions is yes!
When you choose ecoHiny, you choose the option that guarantees you're doing good for the environment, along with enjoying the softness, comfort, and satisfaction of top traditional toilet paper brands.
EcoHiny: Friendly, Natural, and Non-Toxic
Get everything you need in performance plus protection from harsh chemicals and toxic substances from ecoHiny bamboo toilet paper.
We're your partner in protecting the planet by giving you a completely tree-free toilet paper option. Deforestation is incredibly detrimental to our environment, so we have to stop flushing our forests. Buying ecoHiny is one way to get there. Our concern for the forests is just the beginning, though. We want you to be safe and healthy, too!
Eliminate exposure to harsh and dangerous chemicals by switching to bamboo. With ecoHiny in your home, you can experience the peace of mind and comfort that this integral personal care item is chemical-free and non-toxic to you and your family.
- "Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Drinking Water." American Association for the Advancement of Science, www.aaas.org/epi-center/pfas#:~:text=PFAS%2C%20often%20referred%20to%20as,using%20conventional%20water%20treatment%20processes.
- "Chronic vulvar irritation: could toilet paper be the culprit?" National Library of Medicine, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2860827/.
- "How the FSC system works." Forest Stewardship Council, fsc.org/en/how-the-fsc-system-works.
