Why You Simply Don't Need Toilet Paper Anymore

The moment there's a sign of a global or environmental crisis, one of the first things that gets swept off of store shelves is toilet paper. While this is mainly due to panic buying, the abundance of toilet paper stocked in cupboards will always be used since everyone needs to relieve themselves. Toilet paper is considered an essential household item for this reason, however, with the world experiencing an environmental and climate crisis, finding less wasteful alternatives is becoming the new norm. Just as there's simply no need for paper towels anymore since washable and reusable cloth towels exist for wiping hands and messes, swapping out toilet paper for more sustainable alternatives is also doable. Products such as bidets and washable cloths prove that toilet paper, like paper towels, is no longer needed.

As often as we go through rolls of it, toilet paper can actually be considered as a luxury item in some parts of the world. In other places, finding toilet paper in a bathroom stall might not be as common as you'd think. That's because countries, especially those in Europe and Asia, use bidets or other alternatives that use just plain water to cleanse themselves. Unlike toilet paper, which can have dyes, fragrances, and other chemicals embedded in their one- or two-ply sheets, using water from a kettle, cup, or bidet to clean up any remnant waste provides a more thorough and hygienic clean — without any hidden chemicals.

In addition to providing a more thorough and hygienic clean, trading in your toilet paper rolls for a bidet or even reusable cloths can provide many other perks. It's no secret that the cost of everyday essentials has increased over the years, and unfortunately, toilet paper is not an exception. Ditching toilet paper for a washable cloth or a bidet can save you money in the long run, even if initial costs seem more pricey. A roll of reusable toilet paper can cost at least $10. A bidet, on the other hand, ranges anywhere from $40 to $2,000, depending on if you have a full bidet installed, a bidet toilet combo, or just an attachment piece. However, there are many budget-friendly bidets to fit your personal price range.

Further, packages of toilet paper rolls are quite bulky. Eliminating the need for toilet paper eliminates the need to store them, freeing up valuable storage space that can be used for other items. Swapping your toilet rolls for more reusable alternatives is also better for the environment. From sourcing to flushing, standard toilet paper harms the environment. Firstly, there's the harvesting of an abundance of trees. Secondly, every thrown toilet paper square goes to landfills, filling them and contributing to the already large carbon footprint, while flushed paper can clog sewage systems and requires a significant amount of water resources to break down in water treatment plants. By choosing more eco-friendly swaps for your home, like a bidet, reusable cloths, or a conveniently-placed water vessel, you're not just making a better choice for your personal health, but you're also making a better choice for the world.