I’ve always been interested in finding eco-friendly toilet paper to reduce my environmental footprint. Recently, I came across ads claiming that bamboo toilet paper is better for the planet than regular wood pulp options. But as I dug deeper, things got complicated.
Most bamboo used for toilet paper comes from Asia, and none of it is made in the U.S. This made me wonder if growing bamboo in America would be a good idea—especially since some U.S. farmers are already switching to bamboo after losing crops to pests and diseases.
However, experts say this isn’t a great plan. David Coyle, an invasive species specialist at Clemson University, warns that planting bamboo in the southeastern U.S. is a bad idea. He explains that bamboo’s carbon footprint is still unclear, and it poses serious environmental risks if it spreads uncontrollably.
But some bamboo growers disagree. Mark Sanders of Ninth Ward Nursery says bamboo can be managed with careful planning. He suggests choosing less aggressive species, pruning regularly, and using barriers to keep it in check.
Overall, the jury’s still out on whether bamboo is the best eco-friendly option for toilet paper—or if it might cause more problems than it solves.