6 Best 2 Ply Toilet Papers For Composting Toilets That Lower Your Footprint

You’ve finally installed your composting toilet, a major step toward a smaller footprint and off-grid freedom. But then you face a surprisingly tricky question: what toilet paper can you actually use? The wrong choice can turn your low-maintenance system into a frustrating mess of clogs and slow-composting sludge.

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Why Composting Toilets Need The Right Paper

A composting toilet isn’t a magic black box; it’s a small, self-contained biological system. Unlike a flush toilet that whisks everything away, your composting toilet has to break down everything you put inside it. The wrong toilet paper can completely disrupt this process.

Thick, lotion-infused, "ultra-plush" papers are engineered to stay strong when wet. That’s great for one purpose, but terrible for composting. They resist breaking down, creating a paper-mâché-like layer that smothers the organic material, slows decomposition, and can even jam the agitator or crank mechanism in your unit. You end up with a pile of wet paper instead of crumbly, nutrient-rich compost.

The goal is to find a paper that dissolves quickly once it’s in the composting chamber. This allows moisture and microbes to do their work efficiently. Think of it this way: the toilet paper should become part of the compost, not a separate, stubborn ingredient. Septic-safe and RV-safe labels are excellent starting points, as these products are designed specifically for sensitive systems that can’t handle tough materials.

Scott ComfortPlus: A Fast-Dissolving Choice

If you’re looking for a reliable, no-fuss option you can find in almost any grocery store, Scott ComfortPlus is a solid bet. It’s designed to be septic-safe, which means it’s engineered to break apart quickly in water. This characteristic translates perfectly to the moist environment of a composting toilet.

This isn’t the most luxurious paper on the market, but it’s soft enough for daily use and dissolves with impressive speed. I’ve seen it perform well in various models, from the Nature’s Head to the Air Head, without causing clogs or buildup. It’s a practical, widely available choice for full-time RVers or tiny home dwellers who can’t always order specialty brands online.

The main tradeoff here is sustainability. Scott ComfortPlus is made from virgin pulp, not recycled or alternative fibers. For many, however, its performance and accessibility make it a pragmatic compromise, especially when starting out with a composting system.

Seventh Generation: Eco-Friendly Recycled Paper

For those whose primary motivation for a composting toilet is environmental, Seventh Generation is a natural fit. This paper is made from 100% recycled paper, with a minimum of 50% post-consumer content. This means you’re directly supporting the recycling market and diverting paper from landfills.

Beyond its eco-credentials, it performs well in a composting environment. It’s free of added dyes, inks, and fragrances, which are unnecessary chemicals you don’t want in your finished compost. It breaks down reliably without turning into a stubborn paste, keeping your system’s contents aerated and active.

The feel of recycled paper can be a point of contention for some. While it’s perfectly functional, it doesn’t have the pillowy softness of premium virgin-pulp brands. But if your priority is a low-impact lifestyle, this is a small and worthwhile tradeoff for a product that aligns perfectly with the ethos of composting.

Caboo Tree Free Bamboo: Sustainable & Soft

Bamboo toilet paper strikes an excellent balance between sustainability and comfort. Caboo is a leading brand in this space, offering a product that’s both tree-free and surprisingly soft. Bamboo is a type of grass that grows incredibly fast, making it a highly renewable resource compared to slow-growing trees.

Functionally, Caboo is a great match for composting toilets. It’s strong during use but breaks down readily in the composting pile. It’s also biodegradable, septic-safe, and free of the harsh chemicals found in some conventional brands. This makes it a clean addition to your compost that won’t harm the microbial process.

The primary consideration with bamboo paper is often the price, as it tends to be more expensive per roll than conventional or even some recycled options. However, for many users, the combination of a superior feel and a strong environmental profile makes it worth the extra cost.

Betterway Bamboo Paper: Plastic-Free Option

Betterway takes the sustainability of bamboo a step further by focusing on the entire product lifecycle, including packaging. If you’re bothered by the irony of buying an eco-friendly product wrapped in single-use plastic, this brand is for you. Their rolls come in plastic-free, recyclable packaging.

The paper itself is a premium, 3-ply bamboo product that offers excellent softness and strength without compromising its ability to break down. It’s a fantastic choice for people who want to minimize their waste stream as much as possible. Using a composting toilet is a big step; eliminating plastic TP wrap is the logical next one.

Like other premium bamboo options, Betterway sits at a higher price point. It’s an investment in both comfort and a zero-waste philosophy. For the dedicated small-living enthusiast trying to optimize every aspect of their footprint, it’s one of the best choices on the market.

Marcal Recycled Paper: An Affordable Classic

Marcal is a workhorse brand that has been producing recycled paper products for decades. It’s a no-frills, budget-friendly option that gets the job done without fuss. If you want the benefits of recycled paper without the premium price tag of some "eco-boutique" brands, Marcal is your go-to.

This paper is typically 100% recycled and doesn’t contain any added fragrances or dyes. Because it isn’t engineered for extreme softness, it breaks down very quickly, making it an excellent candidate for composting toilets. You can often find it in bulk at wholesale clubs or online, driving the cost-per-sheet down even further.

The downside is purely one of comfort. Marcal is not a plush toilet paper; it’s functional and a bit thin. But for a weekend cabin, a secondary bathroom, or anyone prioritizing budget and compost-ability over luxury, it’s an unbeatable value.

Cottonelle Ultra ComfortCare: Widely Available

This one might surprise you. While many ultra-plush toilet papers are a disaster for composting toilets, Cottonelle Ultra ComfortCare is an exception that proves the rule. It’s designed to be septic-safe and, despite its thickness, dissolves much faster than you’d expect.

The key is its "Wavy CleanRipple Texture," which seems to help it break apart when agitated in a moist environment. I wouldn’t make this my first choice, but if you’re on the road and it’s the only septic-safe option available at a small-town store, it will work in a pinch. It’s a testament to the fact that you can’t always judge a paper’s performance by its feel alone.

The most important thing with a paper like this is to test it first. Before committing, tear off a few squares, put them in a sealed jar of water, and shake it for 10-15 seconds. If it breaks down into small pieces, you’re good to go. If it stays mostly intact, avoid it. This is for the person who absolutely refuses to give up a soft feel but understands the need to verify performance.

Choosing Your Compost-Safe Toilet Paper

There is no single "best" toilet paper for every person or every composting toilet. The right choice for you depends on balancing four key factors:

• Breakdown Speed: This is the only non-negotiable. Your paper must dissolve easily. If you’re unsure, perform the "jar test" mentioned above. A paper that fails this test will eventually cause problems.
• Material Source: This comes down to your personal values. Do you prioritize saving trees (bamboo), supporting the circular economy (recycled), or simply using what works (conventional septic-safe)?
• Comfort vs. Performance: Generally, the plusher the paper, the slower it dissolves. You have to find your sweet spot on this spectrum. Don’t assume all thin paper is good and all thick paper is bad—test them.
• Cost & Availability: Can you afford a premium, plastic-free bamboo paper delivered to your door? Or do you need a reliable, affordable option you can grab anywhere? Your lifestyle and budget will dictate the answer.

Ultimately, the best toilet paper is one that disappears into your compost pile without a second thought. Start with a septic-safe option, see how it works with your specific toilet model, and don’t be afraid to experiment. A well-functioning composting toilet is a beautiful thing, and the right paper is a small but crucial part of that success.

Choosing the right toilet paper is a small detail that has a big impact on the daily function of your composting toilet. By prioritizing rapid breakdown and aligning the material with your environmental goals, you ensure your system remains efficient, odor-free, and easy to manage. It’s one of the simple choices that makes sustainable, small-space living not just possible, but pleasant.