Is Bamboo Toilet Paper Bleached?

Most bamboo toilet paper brands undergo a bleaching process to achieve the soft white hue we’ve come to expect from household paper products. However, not all bamboo toilet paper is treated the same. Some eco-conscious brands, like Reel Paper, use an elemental chlorine-free (ECF) process, which is recognized by the EPA as the best available technology for bleaching paper products. This means no elemental chlorine is used, making it a more environmentally conscious choice.

So, while many bamboo toilet papers are bleached, it’s important to choose the brands that prioritize both your health and the environment.

Why Is Toilet Paper Bleached in the First Place?

The whitening of toilet paper has more to do with consumer preference than necessity. Historically, the public has associated white paper products with cleanliness, and this perception has stuck around, even with the introduction of colored toilet paper options. While it’s not a hygiene requirement for your toilet paper to be white, companies bleach it to meet this expectation. It’s why traditional toilet paper and even some bamboo-based options undergo bleaching—people are used to seeing it that way.¹

Beyond aesthetics, the bleaching process can also soften the paper fibers, making the product feel more luxurious. However, this perceived benefit comes at a significant environmental and health cost. The choice between bleached and unbleached toilet paper, whether it’s bamboo or made from wood pulp, reflects a larger conversation about the role of chemicals in our everyday household paper products.

Traditional Toilet Paper Whitening Agents

Some traditional toilet paper is bleached using chlorine-based processes, particularly chlorine bleach, to achieve its signature bright white color. Unfortunately, chlorine bleaching doesn’t just whiten toilet paper—it can release harmful by-products like dioxins. 

Dioxins are toxic chemicals that can accumulate in both the environment and the human body over time. Long-term exposure to these by-products has been linked to serious health issues such as cancer, reproductive problems, immune system damage, and hormonal imbalances. 

In addition to these health risks, dioxins persist in the environment, contaminating wildlife and contributing to broader pollution issues. The choice to use chlorine-bleached toilet paper extends far beyond your bathroom—it has global consequences.²

Bamboo Toilet Paper Whitening Agents

The bleaching process for bamboo toilet paper varies by brand. The good news is that many bamboo paper products, especially those offered by eco-friendly companies (like us!), do not use chlorine bleach in their production. 

At Reel Paper, for instance, our bamboo toilet paper is whitened using elemental chlorine-free (ECF) technology, as mentioned earlier in this article. This means no elemental chlorine is used in the bleaching sequences, ensuring a much safer product for both you and the planet.

How ECF Technology Works

Elemental chlorine-free bleaching uses chlorine dioxide instead of elemental chlorine gas. This method reduces the formation of dioxins and other harmful by-products, making it a far more sustainable alternative to traditional chlorine bleaching. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized ECF technology as one of the most environmentally responsible ways to whiten paper products.³ Its widespread adoption represents a crucial step forward in reducing the harmful environmental effects of paper production.

The Environmental Impact of Toilet Paper

When considering the environmental impact of toilet paper, whether it’s made from bamboo or wood pulp, here are some key factors:

• Deforestation: Traditional toilet paper production involves cutting down trees, contributing to deforestation and habitat loss, which can have devastating effects on ecosystems.
• Bamboo Sustainability: Bamboo grows back quickly after harvesting, making it a more sustainable option. Some types of bamboo can grow upwards of 3 feet a day!
• Reduced Environmental Footprint: The production of bamboo toilet paper, especially when utilizing ECF technology, results in a much lower environmental footprint and harmful by-products.
• Eco-Friendly Choice: Bamboo toilet paper is a safer, more sustainable product that helps decrease the negative environmental effects of traditional paper production.
• Long-Term Benefits: Supporting bamboo-based and non-toxic toilet paper products aids in promoting sustainable farming practices, reducing reliance on slow-growing trees, and fostering a more eco-friendly supply chain.

Check out our blog for more pros and cons of bamboo toilet paper.

Shop Elemental Chlorine-Free, BPA-Free, PFAS-Free Bamboo Toilet Paper by Reel Paper

If you’re concerned about the chemicals in your household paper products, it’s time to switch to a brand that prioritizes sustainability and safety. Reel Paper’s bamboo toilet paper is not only made from 100% bamboo pulp but also free of harmful chemicals like BPA and PFAS. Our paper towels are equally eco-friendly, offering a complete solution for households that want to reduce their environmental footprint without compromising on quality.

Reel Paper is committed to providing non-toxic toilet paper that’s gentle on sensitive skin and safe for the planet. With plastic-free packaging and a sustainable production process, you can feel good about every roll. So why settle for traditional toilet paper when you can make the switch to eco-friendly, chlorine-free bamboo toilet paper today?

Sources:

1. Science Direct. Bleached Pulp. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/materials-science/bleached-pulp
2. United States Environmental Protection Agency. Learn about Dioxin. https://www.epa.gov/dioxin/learn-about-dioxin
3. National Service Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP). Profile of the Pulp and Paper Industry, 2nd Edition. https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPURL.cgi?Dockey=50000EV8.TXT