Choose forest-friendly rolls
Don’t wipe away the planet’s resources
Your Challenge
Make the switch to 100% recycled toilet paper and kitchen roll. Many people think about the softness of toilet paper, or price per roll, but take a moment to think about where that paper has come from. If the toilet paper and kitchen roll we’re buying doesn’t say how it was sourced, it could be linked to deforestation or unsustainable forest management. This applies to both paper and bamboo products. For kitchen rolls, you can switch this out for reusable options – items that can be washed and reused for years to come.
If you want to take this challenge a step further, to reduce how much toilet paper you use and buy, and if you have the space available to install one, bidets are a popular option, widely used throughout Europe.
Why you're doing this
It’s estimated that over 15 billion trees are cut down each year.[1] There are several problems with virgin toilet paper and kitchen roll (meaning paper that is made from wood from freshly cut trees). For example, trees may be cut down illegally. This harms not only the land and the species living on that land, but also any people who inhabit that land, or workers involved in illegal operations.
Another issue is unsustainable forest management. This is when trees are cut down but no new seedlings are grown to replace them, or forests are cut down and cleared to grow a different species or crop. It changes the landscape and habitat, affecting species and people. For example, due to the popularity of bamboo and rising demand for bamboo products, native forests are sometimes cleared to grow bamboo instead.[2] To ensure any paper or wood product (including bamboo) has come from a sustainably managed forest, look for the Forest Stewardship Council’s FSC logo.
How you'll make a difference
Cutting down trees to produce toilet paper or kitchen roll makes little sense when recycled waste paper is widely available and could be used instead. Globally, paper is widely recycled and has a good recycling rate – on average 68% of paper is recycled.[3] By purchasing products made from recycled paper we can prevent deforestation and preserve nature. As trees are important for absorbing carbon from the atmosphere, preventing deforestation helps reduce emissions to the atmosphere, and slows climate change.
Track your progress
in the My Footprint App
Track your progress and discover many more challenges in the My Footprint app. Available for iOS and Android devices.
