Both the toilet paper industry and the hygienic practice could stand going down the drain for once and for all.
Early in the 1900s, the process of mass clearcutting Boreal forests to create virgin tree pulp that’s then heavily bleached and chemically-produced somehow became central to our approach to cleanliness. In the century-plus since, not much has changed.
Meanwhile, the hidden costs of toilet paper are horrendous to both the body of Earth and ourselves. 27,000 trees per day are flushed down the planet’s toilets, including thousands of acres of boreal forest per minute; in Canada, one million acres of it per year.
One tree yields about 1,000 rolls, so one American will wipe out 384 trees during their lifetime.
The process uses 37 gallons of water, 1.5 pounds of wood, and 1/3kWh of electricity to produce one single roll. And we still use highly toxic chlorinated bleach to whiten the paper too, about 253,000 tons per year. If you’ve ever driven past a modern paper mill, you know how toxic those chemicals are. The radius of harmful stench lingers for miles and miles.
Meanwhile, the toilet paper supply chain for North America remains fixed to a small group of powerful corporations who receive little reason to innovate beyond their large toxic mess, as their product and its process continue to contaminate our bloodstream and our ecosystems for their profit.
Chlorine Bleach
Did you know bleached paper is one of the most carcinogenic products?
When conventional toilet paper is bleached with chlorine bleach, carcinogenic chemicals like dioxin are released into the atmosphere, plus they’re released into our skin and bloodstream when we wipe. These toxins then accumulate in our bodies, which can lead to serious health problems.
Meanwhile, there is no reason to keep using such harmful methods. Instead chlorine free toilet paper uses ECF bleach methods and hydrogen peroxide which are significantly less toxic with zero harmful by-products.
PFAS
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, AKA “forever chemicals,” are ubiquitous manufacturing chemicals that the EPA links with a range of serious issues. These include decreased fertility, increased risk of certain cancers, hypertension in pregnant people, developmental delays in children, low birthweight, hormonal irregularities, elevated cholesterol, reduced immune function, and more.
Even some recycled and supposedly “healthy” toilet paper brands were tested and confirmed to contain the PFAS organic fluorine.
BPA
Also known as bisphenol A, it is a likely toxic endocrine disruptor that’s been linked to cancer, heart disease and infertility. It has been detected in some toilet papers, especially recycled options.
Formaldehyde
It’s used to strengthen the paper to stop it from tearing, but carcinogenic formaldehyde in toilet paper has been linked with chronic vulva irritation …Need we say more?
Synthetic Fragrances
Since manufacturers aren’t required to disclose what comprises their fragrances, we have no way to know if the ingredients are harmful or will cause an allergic reaction to sensitive skin. Phthalates (potent endocrine-disrupting chemicals) and synthetic musks typically hide in there, which are also linked to obesity, hyperactivity in children and degraded sperm quality.
Not to use a potty mouth, but(t) it’s !@#$ing time to change our wasteful, toxic toilet routine. We never wanted our wiping to wipe away our health and our species’ survival on this planet, which is why our methods to “take care of business” need to radically reframe our business-as-usual toilet mindset.
After all, the average human lifespan includes two to three years on the can. Let’s make them count.
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