We Asked the Experts: Is Bamboo Actually Sustainable?
Bamboo might be one of the oldest plants on Earth, but its potential? We’re just scratching the surface.
This fast-growing grass (yes, grass!) has been used for centuries across cultures — from ancient scrolls in China to scaffolding in modern Hong Kong. But lately, it’s showing up somewhere a little closer to home: inside your home. And for good reason.
Why bamboo is better
As you probably know, synthetic materials like plastic come with serious downsides. Plastic’s made from fossil fuels, doesn’t break down naturally, and often ends up where it shouldn’t: our oceans, soil, and even our bodies.1 In fact, only 5% of plastic in the U.S. is actually recycled, no matter how often we toss in the bin.²
And plastic isn’t just an environmental issue — it’s a personal health one. Plastics can contain harmful additives like phthalates, BPA, and synthetic dyes, which are linked to everything from hormone disruption to skin irritation.
That’s where bamboo comes in.
Bamboo is one of nature’s most renewable resources. It grows quickly — sometimes up to three feet in a single day — without the need for fertilizers or pesticides. It regenerates from its own roots (no replanting needed), helps reduce soil erosion, and absorbs more CO₂ than many types of trees.
Better yet? Bamboo is naturally antibacterial and free from the toxic additives we mentioned above, making it safe for your home and safer for the planet.
Here are 9 easy bamboo swaps you can make today:
Bamboo toilet paper vs. regular toilet paper
Products made from 100% bamboo are biodegradable and compostable, but that’s not the only reason bamboo paper products are better for the environment than those made from trees. Most of the tree-based toilet paper used in the U.S. isn’t sustainably-grown or recycled. It’s made with virgin wood pulp from the Canadian boreal forest, which plays an important role in supporting biodiversity and storing carbon. And with the average American using over 140 rolls of TP per year, that’s a lot of trees getting flushed down the toilet.³
“Bamboo tissue products produce 30% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than those made from 100% virgin forest fiber,” Shelley Vinyard says. This is especially problematic when we look at some of the companies behind the big names in traditional toilet paper. “P&G, Kimberly-Clark, and Georgia-Pacific all continue to make their household tissue products from 100% virgin forest fiber and have not incorporated any recycled or alternative fibers into these products,” says Vinyard.
How is bamboo toilet paper made?
To make toilet paper, bamboo stalks are broken down into thin fibers. The fibers are then turned into a pulp, which is then soaked, pressed, and turned into rolls of toilet paper. Just as simple as processing wood, but without the intense depletion of forest ecosystems.
Is bamboo toilet paper safe for your septic tank?
The last thing you want is clogged pipes — we get it. Luckily, bamboo is generally safe for septic tanks and sewers because it’s a type of grass.⁴ Since bamboo is a natural material, it’ll dissolve in water quickly and naturally, leaving nothing behind. Just be sure to carefully read the labels of your bamboo toilet paper, to ensure it will be safe for your home septic system.
Bidet vs. bamboo toilet paper: Which is more sustainable?
While bamboo is a great alternative to traditional paper, adding a bidet to your bathroom will lower your need for paper products altogether. And now, bidets are gaining popularity in the US.
“Bidets are a great alternative to using tissue products,” says Vinyard. “In fact, bidets require less water per use than the tissue-making process does.” Combine bamboo toilet paper with a bidet for maximum sustainability.
More sustainable bamboo products
Bamboo is used to make more than just paper products. It’s a super versatile crop that’s used to make everything from toothbrushes to bandaids, flooring, kitchen utensils, and even clothing. Switching to bamboo is an easy way to reduce plastic and other non-renewable materials in your home, without making a ton of tradeoffs since it can be made durable or dissolvable as needed.
Plus, 100% bamboo products like bamboo plates and cutlery can often be composted at home, and even partial bamboo products like toothbrushes can be sent for commercial composting once the non-bamboo portion has been removed.
Sources:
1 Guinness World Records. (n.d.). Fastest growing plant. Guinness World Records. Retrieved November 14, 2024, from https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/fastest-growing-plant
2 Zachariah, E. J., Sabulal, B., Nair, D. N. K., Johnson, A. J., & Kumar, C. S. P. (2016). Carbon dioxide emission from bamboo culms. Plant Biology, 18(2), 227-234. https://doi.org/10.1111/plb.12435
3 Statista. (2020, March 9). Toilet paper consumption in selected countries worldwide. https://www.statista.com/chart/15676/cmo-toilet-paper-consumption/
4 Supeck Septic Services LLC. (n.d.). Bamboo Toilet Paper & Your Septic System. Retrieved November 25, 2024 from https://supeckseptic.com/bamboo-toilet-paper/
