Best Vegan Toilet Paper: 5 Cruelty-Free Bath Tissue Brands

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It can be easy to focus on food and forget about the dozens of household products that put animals in harm’s way, including toilet paper, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Nowadays, there are many vegan toilet paper brands out there, and by choosing one of these you can then claim that you’re truly embodying the cruelty-free lifestyle, top to bottom (sorry, couldn’t resist ?). ⁽¹⁾

But, as there are several on the market, which is the best vegan toilet paper? Other than being cruelty-free, bath tissue, naturally, is a very personal product that gets used frequently, so there are a few key factors to consider – from comfort to cost.

With this in mind, let’s learn a little bit more about vegan toilet paper and unravel a few critical consumer aspects before we get down to our best vegan toilet paper reviews, shall we?

What makes toilet paper not vegan?

Unfortunately, many major toilet paper brands either test their products on animals or bind the tissue’s fibers with animal gelatin. Some may even do both.

Charmin, for example, one of the more popular brands of toilet paper and general paper products, uses ADMs (animal derived materials), and openly states this fact on their website where you’ll find their ingredients listed.

Is vegan toilet tissue an essential?

Before we get to all the things you may want to consider when shopping for V-friendly bathroom tissue, we feel we should address the fact that, after reading the title of this article, perhaps it was surprising to learn that many of the major toilet paper brands aren’t vegan.

Disillusioning, even?

We know ensuring that every single item you use and piece of food you consume is vegan-friendly can be exhausting. We totally get it, and it’s important you go easy on yourself. This is especially true if you’ve only recently become vegan and, well, maybe you’re thinking how finding alternatives to dairy is quite enough for now!

So, if you never even thought to ask yourself, “is toilet paper vegan?”, don’t worry. Remember, veganism is a journey, and every little step we take is, in turn, creating a more compassionate planet.

But, if we’ve both peaked your interest and spiked your determination to purchase some vegan-friendly toilet paper, great…welcome aboard!

Here’s a fantastic video on how to vegan-proof your other household products (not to mention, many other amazing resources for those transitioning!):

What to consider when buying vegan toilet paper

Other than being vegan, let’s take a look at some important aspects to consider when selecting the best toilet paper for you.

Softness

When it comes to sources of comfort, toilet paper ranks high on the list. Not sure we need to expand upon this much more; kind of one of those “it goes without saying” facts of life. Is it too much for us to say, “Be kind to your behind?”

We don’t think so! If you’ve come here looking for the softest vegan toilet paper, you’re in the right place: we definitely care about this too!

Quantity

We’ve all been there before: Standing in the paper products aisle… staring up at giant bundles of toilet paper… our eyes darting back and forth between labels like “double roll!” and “4x as much!”… wondering silently, “which toilet paper bundle actually gives me the most for my money?!”

Does a pack of 12 rolls actually have more to offer than a 4 pack with ‘double rolls?’ Phew, what a dilemma this can be!

Plus, when we go vegan, and our bodies begin to adjust to the influx of fiber that naturally occurs from increasing fruit-and-vegetable intake, the bang for our buck becomes even more important when it comes to our supply of toilet paper.

Without going into details here, let’s just say it’s crucial to have an adequate amount of toilet paper, if not in quality, then in quantity, for sure.

1-ply vs 2-ply

Speaking of the age-old “quality vs. quantity” dilemma, what’s one toilet paper criterium that directly contributes to softness, quantity, and quality? That would be the “ply.”

What is a ply? And what’s the difference between 1-ply and 2-ply? ⁽²⁾

Simply put, toilet paper that features 1-ply refers to 1-layer (one sheet) while 2-ply refers to a double layer (two sheets). Naturally, 2-ply is going to be thicker, more absorbent, and so, usually softer.

While most toilet paper brands are 2-ply, using toilet paper with 1-ply will create less waste (we mean, as in, for the environment) in the long run.

In fact, some people (many of whom are vegan, too) have committed to living a “zero-waste” lifestyle, and in fact, do not use toilet paper at all!

How ever do they get by? Watch this video to find out!

Sustainability

Did you know that going vegan is one of the very best choices you can make for the environment? Well, it is, so pat yourself on the back if you haven’t yet today. But, should you want to expand your conscientiousness and really shoot for those extra gold stars, you can look for vegan toilet paper that is made out of recycled paper.

What’s in recycled toilet paper vs. the standard stuff? Well, it’s called “post-consumer recycled content” or “PCR,” which includes paper that was utilized in both residential and commercial spaces, and then recycled (instead of sent to a landfill). ⁽³⁾

Fascinated? Groovy Green Living offers a nicely detailed experience of one woman’s honest transition to recycled toilet paper. ⁽⁴⁾

Cost

Again, toilet paper is something you use every day–multiple times–and so, that’s something to take into consideration when choosing the best cruelty-free toilet paper for you.

Of course, we all want the softest, most absorbent, and trusted toilet paper possible. But there’s a good chance that the top rated vegan toilet paper brand will also be more the expensive option, more so than perhaps a 1-ply, lesser known brand.

The choice is yours, and now that we’ve assessed the qualities we’re looking for in the brands on our list vegan toilet paper, let’s get to those reviews…

Best vegan toilet paper reviews

Here we, ahem, go!

Aria Premium Earth-Friendly Toilet Paper

When it comes to Aria Premium toilet paper, we love the price for how much you receive. This bundle offers 12 “mega” rolls (300 sheets a roll) and the 2-ply paper feels thick and absorbs well.

And though we have certainly felt softer toilet paper, this brand does pass the tolerance test: We definitely wouldn’t call it “rough” or “scratchy,” but of course, again, we know that toilet paper feel is very personal preference!

One thing to which we can wholeheartedly agree on is that this paper does live up to Aria’s motto of “quality + sustainability.” So, if those are two of the aforementioned aspects that matter to you, then you’re in luck.

Caboo Tree-Free Bamboo Toilet Paper

This toilet paper package by Caboo includes 12 double rolls (300 sheets per roll) with 2-ply construction.

Caboo is “tree-free,” meaning it’s made from organic bamboo and sugarcane grass, so when it comes to sustainability, this brand is wholly committed.

This paper is biodegradable and also septic-safe, so you won’t have to worry about it clogging, which is a big plus!

These purely positive elements aside, when we assess Caboo across our other criteria for reviewing toilet paper, the results are very mixed. Some feel going green may be the trade-off for softness with this brand. Some felt that this toilet paper was plenty strong and soft enough while others found it too thin, flimsy and scratchy.

Again, it’s all about your priorities. We can confidently agree that if you care more about saving trees than spoiling your skin, then this is the paper for you.

Seventh Generation Unbleached Toilet Paper

One of the more popular vegan bath tissue brands is definitely Seventh Generation Unbleached Toilet Paper. First, we’d like to mention that this pack comes with 48 double rolls that each contain 400 sheets, which are 2-ply.

We definitely enjoy that 80% of this vegan toilet paper is made of post-consumer recycled content. We also like that the material stays in tact, and it doesn’t leave you with lint or “shed,” so to speak, like most typical “fuzzy” toilet paper brands tend to do.

However, while it won’t cling, many reported that this toilet paper rips easily as it’s very thin, despite the double-ply, and so, it requires multiple sheets to be as absorbent as needed. So, again, while this option is a plus for your plumbing system, you might be making sacrifices across other important criteria.

Stratus Eco-Friendly/Recycled Toilet Paper by Nimbus Eco

Next up, we have the Stratus Eco-Friendly/Recycled Toilet Paper by Nimbus Eco. First, we’d like to point out that this package is 12 rolls, with 300 sheets per roll. Instantly, we’re leery of the asking price for such a small quantity of toilet paper.

Despite the high price, the quality doesn’t seem to stack up. This 2-ply paper was not as strong, soft, thick or absorbent as it should be and more similar to a 1-ply brand. In fact, it’s pretty average in quality.

We imagine that the sustainability of this toilet paper is the enticing factor; it is made from bamboo fibers that are raised on a farm rather than in a forest. So, if you care most about being “green,’ this brand may be for you, but don’t expect too much.

Green Forest Premium 100% Recycled Bathroom Tissue

This vegan toilet paper by Green Forest Premium includes four packs of 12 rolls, each with 2-ply paper tissues and 352 sheets per roll. That means you’ll get just shy of 17,000 sheets for your money…that’s a whole lot of toilet time!

Green Forest’s product is made from 100% recycled paper fiber with a minimum composition of 90% post-consumer recycled content. The nice thing about this brand is that, despite it being eco-friendly, it doesn’t sacrifice quality.

This toilet paper is quite thick, plenty soft enough, and it doesn’t flake or fall apart when used. Again, a few weren’t fans of the feel, but when dealing with such a personal preference, we feel that listening to the majority is the safest way to go.

If you don’t mind paying a bit more than the cheapest vegan toilet paper brands, as Green Forest has increased their prices slightly, then this is a great choice for you.

What is the best vegan toilet paper?

After weighing the pros and cons of each aforementioned product, we’ve settled on Green Forest Premium 100% Recycled Toilet Paper as our winner.

Why? When we examine Green Forest against our criteria for the best toilet paper, we feel it scores better than the rest in the most categories. This paper is sustainable as it’s very high in PCR, and a pack offers a large quantity of quality 2-ply sheets, and for what you’re getting, it’s suitably priced.

Of course, for those newly-minted vegans and our vegan-curious crowd, we understand that it can be tough to compete with the thickness, feel and price of the major paper towel brands to which you’ve grown accustomed.

But Green Forest definitely provides a great choice for you and for the long-time vegans out there who might not haven’t been aware of this compassionate option!

We hope this article has given you some helpful insight into the world of vegan toilet paper and what we deem the best brand available. Should you have any further questions or comments, leave us a message below!

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1. Amy Elizabeth | Wiping Out Meat, One Sheet of Toilet Paper at a Time | https://www.peta.org/blog/wiping-meat-one-sheet-toilet-paper-time/
2. Evan Seder | 1-Ply vs. 2-Ply Toilet Paper: What is the difference? | https://www.supplytime.com/Blogs/Blog/1-Ply-vs-2-Ply-Toilet-Paper–What-is-the-difference_2.aspx
3. Collin Dunn | Post-Consumer Recycled Goods: Recycling Waste Into Stuff | https://www.treehugger.com/post-consumer-recycled-goods-recycling-waste-into-stuff-4858545
4. Lori Popkewitz Alper | The Truth About Recycled Toilet Paper And Why I’m Still Using It | http://groovygreenliving.com/use-recycled-toilet-paper/