6 Best Recycled Toilet Papers That Lower Your Footprint

You’ve meticulously planned your solar setup, optimized every square inch of storage, and perfected your water conservation routine. But there’s one small, everyday item that can bring your entire off-grid system to a grinding halt: toilet paper. Choosing the wrong kind isn’t just an environmental misstep; it’s a recipe for a black tank disaster that no one wants to deal with. This isn’t just about being green—it’s about smart, preventative maintenance for your home on wheels.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!

Why Recycled TP Matters for Your Black Tank

The single biggest threat to an RV or tiny home black tank is a clog. Unlike a standard home system, your waste plumbing is a delicate ecosystem with narrow pipes, sharp turns, and a holding tank that relies on bacteria and gravity to break things down. That ultra-plush, 4-ply, lotion-infused toilet paper from the commercials? It’s your black tank’s worst enemy.

Recycled toilet paper is fundamentally different. It’s made from shorter fibers that have already been processed, so they break apart in water much more easily. Think of it like the difference between trying to dissolve a cotton ball versus a handful of sawdust. The shorter fibers disperse quickly, preventing the formation of stubborn paper-and-waste pyramids that can block your tank sensors and clog your drain valve.

The easiest way to check any toilet paper is the jar test. Put a couple of squares in a mason jar half-full of water, seal it, and give it a few good shakes. If it quickly breaks down into tiny, unrecognizable bits, it’s safe for your tank. If it stays in sheets or stringy clumps, leave it on the shelf. This simple test can save you from a very unpleasant and expensive repair down the road.

Who Gives A Crap: The Subscription Standout

If you value convenience and want to make a positive impact, Who Gives A Crap is hard to beat. This company built its brand on a simple premise: 100% recycled paper delivered to your door, with 50% of profits donated to build toilets for those in need. For small-space dwellers, the subscription model is a game-changer. No more trying to stuff a giant plastic-wrapped bundle of TP into an already-full storage bay.

The paper itself is sturdy and effective. It’s not the softest on this list, but it dissolves reliably and comes in individually wrapped, plastic-free rolls that look great stacked on a shelf. The convenience of having a large box arrive every few months means it’s one less thing to worry about on your shopping list, which is a huge mental win when you’re managing so many other systems.

The main tradeoff is the price. It’s a premium product with a mission, and you pay for that. However, when you factor in the bulk quantity, the per-sheet cost is often competitive with other recycled brands. If you want a "set it and forget it" solution that aligns with your values and is proven to be tank-safe, this is an excellent choice.

Seventh Generation: The Reliable Grocery Aisle Pick

Sometimes you just need to grab toilet paper during a regular grocery run. Seventh Generation is the most widely available and dependable recycled option you’ll find in almost any supermarket. It’s the old reliable of the eco-friendly world for a reason.

Made from 100% recycled paper (with a minimum of 50% post-consumer content), it’s whitened without chlorine bleach and is explicitly designed to be septic-safe. This means it’s engineered to break down, passing the jar test with flying colors. It strikes a good balance—it’s softer than some budget options but dissolves far better than conventional plush brands.

Think of Seventh Generation as your baseline for a good recycled TP. It’s not fancy, it doesn’t have a clever marketing campaign, but it absolutely works. It protects your plumbing, reduces your environmental impact, and you don’t have to special-order it. For practical, everyday use, it’s a smart and accessible pick.

Marcal Small Steps: A Softer Recycled Option

The most common complaint about recycled toilet paper is that it feels, well, recycled. Many people are hesitant to switch because they don’t want to sacrifice softness. Marcal Small Steps directly addresses this concern, offering one of the softest textures available in the recycled category.

Marcal uses a unique process that results in a surprisingly plush feel without compromising its septic-safe properties. It’s a great transitional paper for households that are used to conventional brands. An added, often overlooked benefit is that it’s virtually lint-free. In a tiny space where dust and lint accumulate quickly, this small detail makes a noticeable difference in air quality and cleaning frequency.

While it is softer, it’s always wise to perform your own jar test, as formulas can change. Softer paper can sometimes mean more binding agents are used, which can slightly slow dissolution. However, Marcal has a long-standing reputation for being safe for sensitive systems, making it a top contender for those who prioritize comfort.

Green Forest: Septic-Safe and Chlorine-Free

For those who want to take their environmental commitment a step further, Green Forest is a standout. While most recycled papers are better than virgin-pulp options, Green Forest is processed chlorine-free (PCF). This means no chlorine or chlorine derivatives were used to whiten the paper, reducing the release of harmful dioxins into waterways.

This brand is explicitly marketed as septic-safe and performs exceptionally well in RV black tanks. It dissolves quickly and thoroughly, minimizing any risk of clogs. With a high percentage of post-consumer recycled content (up to 90%), it’s one of the most eco-conscious choices you can make that is still widely available in natural food stores and online.

The paper itself has a solid, reliable feel—not overly soft, but not rough either. It’s a workhorse toilet paper for the eco-purist. If your primary goal is to minimize your chemical and resource footprint as much as possible without sacrificing plumbing safety, Green Forest is the brand to seek out.

Trader Joe’s Bath Tissue: Budget-Friendly Bulk

Living small often means living on a smaller budget. Trader Joe’s Bath Tissue is the undisputed champion for value-conscious consumers who still want a recycled, tank-safe product. It’s made with 80% post-consumer recycled content and is one of the most affordable options on the market.

Let’s be direct: this is not a luxury product. It’s a thin, no-frills, 2-ply paper. But its greatest strength lies in its rapid dissolvability. Because it’s so thin, it breaks apart almost instantly in water, making it one of the safest possible choices for a fickle black tank. If you’ve ever battled sensor issues or a "pyramid of doom," the peace of mind this paper offers is worth more than any quilted softness.

You have to be a Trader Joe’s shopper to get it, and you’ll likely use a little more per sitting than you would with a thicker paper. But for the price and the incredible performance in a sensitive plumbing system, it is an unbeatable workhorse. It proves that you don’t have to spend a lot to make a responsible, system-safe choice.

Scott Tube-Free: Maximum Rolls, Minimum Waste

Waste management in a small space is about more than just what goes down the drain. Every bit of trash you create has to be stored and disposed of, which is why Scott Tube-Free is such an innovative option. By eliminating the cardboard tube, you’re not just saving a small bit of cardboard—you’re getting a denser, more compact roll that takes up less precious storage space.

Scott has always been a go-to for RVers because their standard 1-ply 1000-sheet rolls are famously septic-safe and dissolve on contact. The Tube-Free version maintains that same rapid dissolvability while reducing packaging waste. It’s a simple, brilliant idea that solves two small-living problems at once: plumbing safety and trash accumulation.

This is the ultimate choice for the pragmatist. You aren’t getting a luxurious feel, but you are getting maximum function. You get more sheets per roll, less waste per package, and zero worries about your black tank. It’s a pure, function-over-form solution that aligns perfectly with an efficient, low-impact lifestyle.

Choosing Your Ply: Softness vs. Dissolvability

At the end of the day, the choice comes down to a fundamental tradeoff: comfort versus function. The features that make toilet paper feel soft and luxurious—multiple plies, quilting, lotions, and thick fibers—are the very things that make it a menace to your black tank. More plies mean more paper and more glue holding them together, both of which slow down the breakdown process.

• 1-Ply: Almost always the safest bet. It dissolves quickly and is less likely to get caught on sensors or in valves. The tradeoff is obvious: it’s thin and less comfortable.
• 2-Ply: The sweet spot for most people. A good recycled 2-ply offers a decent feel while still dissolving effectively. All the brands on this list (except Scott 1000) fall into this category.
• 3-Ply and Up: Avoid at all costs. There is no 3-ply or 4-ply on the market that is truly safe for a sensitive black tank, no matter what the package claims. The risk of a catastrophic clog is simply too high.

Your guiding principle should always be the jar test. Don’t trust the marketing on the package; trust what you see with your own eyes. A minute of testing can save you a day of miserable, messy work. In a conventional house, a slow-dissolving paper is an inconvenience. In an RV or tiny home, it’s a critical system failure waiting to happen.

Choosing the right toilet paper is a small act, but it reflects a larger mindset essential for thriving in a small space. It’s about understanding your systems, respecting their limits, and making conscious choices that prioritize long-term function over momentary comfort. Find the brand that fits your budget and values, but never compromise on dissolvability—your black tank will thank you for it.