The hilariously named Uranus Wiperwerethe first brand in the UK to offerquilted recycled toilet paper.

Cheeky Panda are another company who provide bamboo toilet paper made from 100% virgin bamboo pulp.The baby has never had a disposable wipe, so why should we? It feels decadent now to be using paper when our one-year old doesn't, and his dirty wipes just get washed. And we eat the same things!" Some companies sold products that are often tested on animals such as soaps and shampoos or perfumed toilet paper. I read this article at 10 pm last night, trying to think of ways to reduce my toilet roll waste (as you do). I read the comments. I thought “little jug??”“Re-useable wipes??”“Special hose in the bathroom??” No wonder toilet paper is so popular. But the idea of a bedet type situation didn’t put me off entirely, i just couldn’t think how such a thing could be part of my life, having a postage sized bathroom and no spare cash for a Japanese throne. And then I thought – surely I can DIY a better option than a jug? It’s also notable that, as recycled paper use by the big companies has decreased, their use of certified paper has gone up. For example, Kimberly-Clark’s use of FSC-certified fibre has increased by 20% in the last ten years.

Across the world, forests are being cut down to feed this market, with ruinous consequences for the environment, people, and wildlife. Research published earlier this year concluded that toilet paper was potentially a major source of PFAs entering wastewater treatment systems. Whether the fact that Who Gives A Crap rolls are 100% longer than Ecoleaf, and 50% longer than Greencane – thereby requiring fewer shipments – makes them more environmentally friendly, I do not know. Made in Europe but free to ship to the US, Uranus Wiper is a 4-ply toilet tissue. It is 100% recycled, comprising 75% post-consumer waste paper and 25% pre-consumer waste paper. The paper is BPA-free, and made without chlorine or inks.

One of the smaller companies, Nova Tissue, told us that demand for recycled paper simply isn’t there and that customers overwhelmingly want pure virgin paper. But why is this? Fortunately there are some pioneering brands emerging who are offering high quality bamboo toilet paper as well as recycled toilet paper, paving the way for us to finally flush away deforesting corporations. Since we last published a guide to toilet paper, there has been a growth in the number of small companies selling bamboo toilet paper. All of them tell a similar founding story, of a moment of realisation of the destructiveness of standard toilet paper and a desire to provide a more sustainable alternative.

I was brought up in a Sri Lankan family where the culture was to wash ourselves after opening our bowels. It was thought bad parenting to let a child have a dirty bottom as paper does not clean children or adults properly and leaves one with an 'itchy bottom' ... Using a basin is a small amount of water and there is nothing to fear and lots to learn from washing your own bottom." A small amount of paper is produced using alternatives to chlorine such as oxygen, ozone, and hydrogen peroxide. This process is known as Totally Chlorine Free (TCF). According to the Guardian, some of the major toilet paper brands have slowed or even reversed the use of recycled paper in their products, leading to even more unnecessary deforestation. The pricing is fairly standard at just under 70p per roll so offers consumers decent value for money.

While the big brands hadn’t reduced their virgin fibre use, a number of smaller companies had launched new products made from recycled fibre or alternative sustainable materials. We found the same. They market their products as good for the planet and make various claims about carbon reduction, avoidance of chemicals, and soil health. The toilet roll is made ethically in the UK and thus creates less emissions than what is typically associated with bamboo toilet roll which is commonly grown and manufactured in Asia. I looked at various other brands at Tesco, all seemed to be 2ply and have the “At Larger Supermarkets” recycle symbol printed on the plastic wrapping which is partially good news.