7 Best Compostable Toilet Paper Brands for Eco-Living That Lower Your Impact
Lower your household impact with compostable toilet paper. We review the 7 best brands, focusing on plastic-free, chemical-free, and sustainable options.
You’ve finally got your composting toilet dialed in, but then you notice the pile isn’t breaking down as fast as it should. Often, the culprit is the one thing you didn’t think about: your toilet paper. Choosing the right compostable toilet paper isn’t just about being green; it’s a critical part of making off-grid and small-living systems actually work.
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What to Look for in Compostable Toilet Paper
The first mistake people make is grabbing any roll labeled "septic-safe." While that’s a start, composting toilets are a different beast. Septic systems dissolve waste in water, while a composting system needs material to break down into soil with the help of microbes and aeration. You need a paper that disappears quickly without chemicals that could harm that delicate ecosystem.
The big debate is bamboo versus recycled paper. Bamboo is a fast-growing grass, making it a highly renewable resource. On the other hand, most of it is processed overseas, adding to its carbon footprint. Recycled paper is fantastic for closing the loop on waste, but it can sometimes contain trace amounts of BPA from receipts mixed into the pulp and requires a chemical process to de-ink it. Look for brands that use a chlorine-free whitening process.
Beyond the material, think about the practicals. A super-plush 3-ply roll feels nice, but it might take longer to decompose than a 2-ply. The key is finding a paper that is unbleached and free of inks, dyes, fragrances, and chlorine. These additives do nothing for you and can hinder the composting process. Certifications like the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) for bamboo or Green Seal for recycled products can also give you confidence in the sourcing.
Who Gives A Crap: Premium Bamboo Softness
Who Gives A Crap is often the gateway for people switching to sustainable toilet paper. Their 100% bamboo rolls are noticeably soft and strong, easily rivaling the premium conventional brands you find in the supermarket. This is more important than it sounds; when you’re asking a partner or family to embrace a new lifestyle, small comforts like good toilet paper can make the transition smoother.
Their business model is built around convenience and impact. It’s a subscription service, so you get a big box delivered to your door, which is great for stocking up a van or tiny house without frequent store runs. The packaging is completely plastic-free, and the colorful paper wrappers have become iconic. You’re not just buying toilet paper; you’re buying into a fun brand experience.
The biggest selling point for many is their social mission. The company donates 50% of its profits to help build toilets and improve sanitation in developing countries. It’s a premium-priced product, no doubt. But for many, the combination of quality, convenience, and genuine impact makes it an easy choice.
Reel Bamboo Toilet Paper: Plastic-Free Pick
Luxuriously soft 3-ply tree-free toilet paper in a pack of 24 rolls. Environmentally friendly with zero plastic packaging, safe for septic systems.
Reel is another major player in the bamboo toilet paper space, and their biggest claim to fame is a hardcore commitment to being 100% plastic-free. From the paper itself to the tape on the shipping box, you won’t find any plastic. For anyone serious about reducing their waste footprint, this level of detail is a massive plus.
The paper itself is a 3-ply bamboo product that is strong, absorbent, and soft. It’s free of inks, dyes, and BPA, making it a clean choice for your composting system. In my experience, it breaks down reliably without clumping, which is exactly what you want to see when you turn your compost pile.
Like its competitors, Reel operates on a subscription model and has a social mission. They partner with the organization SOIL in Haiti to help provide sanitation and treat waste to transform it into useful resources for farming. If you’re looking for a top-tier bamboo option with an unwavering plastic-free promise, Reel is one of the best out there.
Caboo Tree-Free: Septic and RV Safe Choice
Caboo stands out for one huge reason: accessibility. Unlike many eco-brands that are subscription-only, you can often find Caboo on the shelves of your local grocery store or on Amazon for a one-time purchase. This is a game-changer if you’re traveling or simply don’t want to commit to a bulk subscription.
Made from a blend of bamboo and sugarcane, Caboo is specifically marketed as RV and marine-safe. This is a good indicator that it’s designed to dissolve very quickly in sensitive systems. I’ve recommended it to countless RVers who need a reliable, fast-dissolving paper for their black tanks, and it performs just as well in a composting toilet.
Is it the softest paper on this list? Probably not. But it’s a dependable workhorse that gets the job done without fuss. It represents a perfect balance of eco-friendly materials, reliable performance, and easy availability—a practical trifecta for life on the move.
Betterway Bamboo: Strongest Lint-Free Option
Here’s a small detail that becomes a big deal in a tiny space: toilet paper lint. It gets everywhere. Betterway Bamboo tackles this head-on, marketing their product as a strong, lint-free option. For those with allergies or a simple hatred of constant dusting, this is a compelling feature.
The paper is a robust 3-ply that feels substantial and doesn’t fall apart. This strength is reassuring for people who have had bad experiences with flimsy, recycled-paper options in the past. It proves that you don’t have to sacrifice performance to make a sustainable choice.
Betterway also delivers in a plastic-free box and offers a subscription model for convenience. It’s a premium product aimed at solving a specific user annoyance. If you want a bamboo paper that is both tough and tidy, this is an excellent brand to try.
Seedling by Grove: Sustainable Forest Sourcing
Grove Collaborative is a well-known name in the sustainable home goods space, and their in-house brand, Seedling, is a strong contender. Their main focus is on responsible sourcing, using 100% FSC-certified bamboo. This certification ensures the bamboo is harvested in a way that protects forests, biodiversity, and the rights of local communities.
This focus on sourcing addresses a common concern with the bamboo boom—ensuring it’s not contributing to deforestation or other harmful practices. Seedling also partners with the Arbor Day Foundation, planting trees for every purchase. This provides a clear, tangible connection between your purchase and a positive environmental outcome.
The 3-ply toilet paper itself is soft, strong, and septic-safe, breaking down well in composting systems. If you already use Grove for other cleaning and home supplies, adding Seedling to your order is an incredibly convenient way to make a responsible choice backed by strong environmental credentials.
Seventh Generation: Trusted Recycled Paper
If you’re committed to the idea of a circular economy, recycled toilet paper is the way to go, and Seventh Generation is the most trusted and widely available brand in this category. They’ve been in the eco-friendly game for decades. You can find their products in almost any major supermarket, making them the most accessible non-bamboo option.
Their paper is made from 100% recycled material, with a minimum of 50% post-consumer content (the paper you actually put in your recycling bin). This diverts tons of waste from landfills. They use a chlorine-free bleaching process, which is critical for protecting waterways and ensuring the paper is safe for your compost.
Let’s be honest: recycled paper is rarely as soft as virgin pulp or premium bamboo. That’s the tradeoff. But for those whose top priority is saving trees and reducing waste, Seventh Generation is the gold standard. It’s a no-frills, effective, and environmentally sound choice that breaks down beautifully.
No. 2 Bamboo Paper: Stylish & Subscription-Based
In a tiny home or a van, everything is on display. No. 2 leans into this reality by creating a product that is as stylish as it is sustainable. Their rolls come in beautiful, soy-ink-printed wrappers that actually add a pop of design to your bathroom instead of being an eyesore you need to hide.
The product itself is top-notch. It’s a 100% FSC-certified bamboo paper that is strong, soft, and free of dyes, scents, and BPA. The company is built on a subscription model, delivering a plastic-free box to your door. It’s a premium product designed for a consumer who values aesthetics just as much as ethics.
No. 2 is for the person who wants their eco-friendly choices to feel like an upgrade, not a sacrifice. It proves that practical items can also be beautiful. While the focus on design might seem frivolous to some, creating a space you love is a huge part of thriving in a small footprint, and No. 2 helps you do just that.
Ultimately, the best compostable toilet paper is the one that works for your system, your budget, and your values. Whether you prioritize the softness of bamboo, the circularity of recycled paper, or the convenience of a subscription, the right choice is out there. Don’t be afraid to try a few different brands to see what breaks down best and feels right for you.
