Has your septic system backed up again? It’s time for you to consider switching to a biodegradable toilet paper. What is the best toilet paper for septic systems? Take a look at our list of reliable choices that are biodegradable and find out!
You probably already know that when you are camping, a biodegradable toilet paper is the best choice for the environment. However, have you considered your home toiletry needs in the same way? Your toilet paper choice does matter, especially if you have a septic system. Let’s find out why.
Biodegradable Toilet Paper FAQs
- What is biodegradable toilet paper?
- Why should you use biodegradable toilet paper?
- Where can you buy biodegradable toilet paper?
- What are other alternatives to using standard toilet paper?
What Is Biodegradable Toilet Paper?
Biodegradable toilet paper is designed to break down faster and require less water to complete the break-down process than standard toilet paper. It is made from a variety of natural and sustainable materials including wood fiber, hemp, cotton, bamboo, Kenaf, an African hibiscus, and sugarcane-based bagasse.
The toilet paper manufactured from these materials has no additives or fragrances, which is a plus for those with sensitive skin. On the downside, biodegradable toilet paper tends not to be as thick or soft as standard toilet paper. It also can be more expensive.
Recommended Read: Composting Toilet
Why Should You Use Biodegradable Toilet Paper?
If you have a septic system, you most definitely want to keep it in working order. Properly maintained, a septic system can last up to 40 years. Repairing or replacing a septic system can cost you a pretty penny. One of the main causes of septic system failure is clogging.
After you flush, everything in the commode winds its way to the septic tank. In the tank, solids, including wet toilet paper, sink to the bottom. The solids form a layer of waste that builds up over time.
Bacteria found naturally in the sewage will work to decompose some of this muck. However, often the sludge builds up faster than the bacteria can eat away at it and you’ll need to get your septic tank pumped or risk a backup.
Since toilet paper makes up such a large portion of this solid waste layer, it just makes sense to use toilet paper that is quick to break down. Regular toilet paper can take anywhere from one to three years to decompose. So finding the best toilet paper for septic systems should be a priority.
Recommended Read: What Did People Use Before Toilet Paper?
Where Can You Buy Biodegradable Toilet Paper?
Well-known retailers like Target and Walmart often carry one or more brands of biodegradable toilet paper. Other options include outdoor focused stores like Dick’s sporting goods or camping supply places. Of course, fully online retailers like Amazon also have several options available.
What Are Other Alternatives To Using Standard Toilet Paper?
Recycled toilet paper is made from recycled materials. It contains fewer chemicals. The fibers are shorter and break apart easier than traditionally manufactured toilet paper.
Some toilet paper is labeled as septic-safe, indicating that it will dissolve faster than standard toilet paper. Look for toilet paper that has been certified as actually being septic-safe by the National Sanitation Foundation.
Toilet cloths have become popular among some groups. The idea is to use soft rags in place of toilet paper. Instead of flushing, these rags are washed, dried, and reused in a similar way to cloth diapers for babies.
Another option that will reduce or eliminate your toilet paper waste is a bidet. A bidet is a plumbing fixture generally found next to the toilet designed to wash off your backside. Bidet attachments are installed on the toilet itself.
Switching to bidet use in the United States would reduce toilet paper consumption by 36.5 billion rolls in just one year. Using a bidet is not only environmentally friendly but also septic system friendly reducing the amount of waste product the builds up at the bottom of your tank considerably.
One final alternative is not to flush any paper at all. Many countries use their bathroom trash can for toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, and baby wipes. Naturally, these products should still be disposed of responsibly, just not down the drain.
Using the trash, not the commode, lessens the sludge buildup at the bottom of your septic tank.
How We Reviewed
When we compiled this list of the best toilet paper options for septic systems, we chose hygienic tissue that had been manufactured with biodegradable or recycled materials. We also looked at the number of sheets per roll.
These qualities meant that some types received lower customer satisfaction ratings because they are not as soft or as durable as standard toilet paper. There’s a bit of a tradeoff here in that regard.
Top 10 Best Biodegradable Toilet Paper Choices
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Seventh Generation Toilet Paper
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- 2-ply, recycled
- Pros: FSC Recycled certified, Rainforest Alliance certification
- Cons: thin
Seventh Generation Toilet Paper is a 2-ply tissue made with chlorine-free recycled paper. It has no inks, fragrances or dyes added. It works well with low-flow toilets like those found in campers and RVs and is septic safe.
It is certified by the Forest Stewardship Councils as FSC Recycled meaning it meets the minimum 50% os post-consumer recycled paper. It is also certified by the Rainforest Alliance for sustainability. Each roll has 240 sheets.
Scott Paper Rapid-Dissolving Bath Tissue
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- 1-ply, quick disintegration
- Pros: FSC certified
- Cons: no information available on material make-up
Scott Paper Rapid-Dissolving Bath Tissue is designed to dissolve faster for use in RVs, boats and septic systems. It is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified made from responsible sources. Scott certifies its product meets the Scott Clog-Clinic test standards. There are 264 sheets per roll.
Georgia-Pacific Envision Embossed Bathroom Tissue
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- 2-ply, recycled
- Pros: ECOLOGO certified, complies with EPA CPG, and EPA standards for recycled fiber content
- Cons: not especially soft
Georgia-Pacific Envision Embossed Bathroom Tissue exceeds EPA recommendations for minimum post-consumer recycled fiber content containing at least 20% of recycled material.
It breaks down quickly and is highly dispersible.
Each roll has 550 perforated sheets. It is ECOLOGO certified, complies with EPA CPG, and EPA standards for recycled fiber content. It has been proven to create reduced environmental impact when compared to standard paper.
Nimbus Eco Extra Soft 100% Bamboo Toilet Paper
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- 2-ply, bamboo
- Pros: natural product
- Cons: no certifications yet
Nimbus Eco Extra Soft 100% Bamboo Toilet Paper is a soft, 2-ply paper. Each roll has 500 sheets. It is chlorine and BPA free. Made from sustainably harvested bamboo, it disintegrates naturally over time.
Earth’s Natural Alternative 100% Bamboo Toilet Paper
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- 2-ply, bamboo
- Pros: natural materials
- Cons: not soft
Earth’s Natural Alternative100% Bamboo Toilet Paper is made from quick-growing, sustainable, renewable 100% natural bamboo fiber. The toilet paper is septic safe and 100% biodegradable; perfect for RVs, boats, marine applications, camping, travel, backpacking, fishing, and daily use.
Thetford Aqua-Soft Toilet Tissue
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- 2-ply
- Pros: fast dissolving
- Cons: expensive, not soft
Thetford Aqua-Soft Toilet Tissue has been designed to work with portable, RV, and marine toilets, so it dissolves quickly. Each roll has 396 sheets. There is no information on whether Aqua-Soft uses recycled material or not.
Natural Value 100% Recycled Bathroom Tissue
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- 2-ply, recycled
- Pros: breaks down well
- Cons: expensive
Natural Value 100% Recycled Bathroom Tissue contains a minimum of 80% post-consumer recycled materials and 20% pre-consumer recycled paper. There are 500 sheets per roll. Natural Value makes its recycled products using continuously recycled reverse osmosis water to produce a more sustainable product. There is no chlorine, inks, dyes, or fragrances added.
Camco Rapid Dissolving Toilet Tissue
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- 2-ply
- Pros: biodegradable
- Cons: expensive
Camco Rapid Dissolving Toilet Tissue is designed for boat and RV use. It is biodegradable, fast-dissolving, clog-resistant, and safe for the septic tank. It has no perfumes or dyes. There are 500 sheets per roll.
NatureZWay Bamboo Toilet Paper
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- 2-ply, bamboo
- Pros: biodegradable
- Cons: sells out often
NatureZWay Bamboo Toilet Paper is made from 100% bamboo pulp. It is hypoallergenic and soft. There is no BPA, fragrances, chemicals, or artificial dyes added. Each roll has 400 sheets. According to some consumers, NatureZWay Bamboo Toilet Paper breaks down almost before it gets flushed, so be prepared to double up to wipe.
Surviveware Biodegradable Wet Wipes
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- Adult wipes
- Pros: biodegradable
- Cons: dryer than baby wipes
If you need something to clean a little deeper, you may want a box of Surviveware Biodegradable Wipes. These moistened wipes measure 8 x 12 inches each and come 32 to a pack. They are hypoallergenic, PH balanced, unscented, alcohol-free and are enriched with just a touch of Natural Aloe Vitamin E. These wipes break down in 28 days.
The Verdict
Our choice for the best toilet paper for septic systems is the Georgia-Pacific Envision Embossed Bathroom Tissue. It is ECOLOGO certified, complies with EPA CPG, and EPA standards for recycled fiber content. Most importantly, it breaks down quickly so that your septic system isn’t overloaded.
Last update on 2024-03-18 at 11:55 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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