Last week’s Denver Post article about this blog raised a recurring question on the blog, Twitter and Facebook: What do you mean you’ve used fewer than 48 rolls of toilet paper in more than a year?!

Having never participated in another adult’s toilet habits, I can’t speak to why you use more or why we use less. But I’ll do my best to address what we *do* do (pause to be five years old: Ha ha! I said “doo doo” in a toilet paper article!) to keep our toilet paper habits green.

Read to the bottom (oh, this post is rife with double entendres!) for an opportunity to switch to recycled paper with a great giveaway thanks to Seventh Generation.

Always buy recycled toilet tissue!

I firmly believe we should not chop down trees to wipe waste from our bodies and immediately throw it away via the sewer system. Worldwide, the equivalent of 27,000 trees per day is converted into toilet paper. 27,000 trees. Daily. And many cultures don’t even use toilet paper.

To eliminate potty paper, I briefly experimented with reusable toilet cloths. But after not long, I gave it up, growing tired of pulling tiny cloths out of the washer, explaining the setup and feeling “not so fresh” (guess I’m too American for that after all — hey, must draw the line somewhere!).

Instead, I returned to 100 percent recycled-content toilet paper. I sought out the lowest-priced, lowest-footprint variety. It turned out to be Seventh Generation one-ply, and that’s what we’ve been using for nearly two years.

If you want a third-party reference as to the most eco-friendly toilet paper, tissue and other paper products, reader Ben pointed out that Greenpeace has a guide, available either in PDF format or as an iPhone app (the iPhone app link will open your iTunes store).

Isn’t it rough and horrible? Isn’t it thin? Don’t you use three times as much?

No.

Or, not really. Some brands aren’t so nice. We’ve been using Seventh Generation, and it’s fine. Plush toilet paper might be nice in theory, but really? Unless you have a serious skin condition or a medical problem, let’s face it: We’re talking about a derriere. We sit on it, we ride horses and bikes on it, jeans rub on it, germs come out of it — it can handle recycled toilet paper.

If you must, keep a roll of plushy on hand in case you have a “delicate” situation. (I do not make this exception. It’s a moral stance for me.)

What does it cost?

I’m glad you asked. I happen to have updated my handy-dandy spreadsheet comparing toilet paper costs in my area and online. I think the best way to compare is cost per sheet. For thicker paper, you might use fewer sheets, but you’re also going to have fewer sheets on a roll. Per sheet cost levels the playing field, I think.

Note that for comparison’s sake, I include Kirkland (Costco’s store brand — cheaper than most “plush” papers), which is not recycled AND comes individually packaged in plastic. Kirkland is the same price as the cheapest green recycled toilet paper, and two brands (those highlighted in red here) beat it in the per-roll price.

Making the most of each roll

We buy Seventh Generation one-ply toilet tissue with 1,000 sheets per roll. Since the questions arose last week, I’ve been counting, and for normal usage, I use 7-8 sheets per “seating.” It’s not Sheryl Crow’s one-square-per-time limit, but let’s be realistic — it IS one-ply, and it still allows for 125 uses per roll.

That means our case of 48 rolls would last through 6,000 trips to the bathroom. If the case lasts our family of three a year and a half, we’re visiting the loo at home 3.7 times a day. I can’t find an authoritative Web source on how many times people use the restroom daily, but the anecdotal consensus seems to be 4 to 6 times, so that about covers us. So to speak.

If your family uses a lot more, help them cut back:

• Talk to them about the tree issue.
• Put a mark on the wall (using pencil or masking tape) to show where to draw the line and tear off the paper.
• Little known fact: There are multiple ways of managing your paper. See whether crumpling the tissue (more volume) or folding it (more surface area) works better for you.

Don’t break up the family over it. Just guilt them into helping you with more recycling or composting if they freak out about their passion for TP.

Win a case of Seventh Generation toilet paper and see for yourself!

Wanting to make the switch but just haven’t done it yet? Seventh Generation has generously offered to give away a whole case of Seventh Generation 100% recycled toilet paper to one reader of Cheap Like Me! (And unlike the multipack in the photo above, a case of Seventh Generation toilet tissue arrives with no plastic whatsoever — it comes in a cardboard box with rolls wrapped in recycled paper.)

To enter the giveaway, click over to the Seventh Generation website and take a look at the information you find there. Then come back here and leave a comment with your e-mail address telling us one fact you found out about recycled paper products or environmentally friendly cleaning products. (Facts are scattered all over the site — or check a package if you have SG products at home.)

Earn additional entries by leaving an additional comment if you:

• Promote this contest on Twitter with @cheaplikeme @SeventhGen
• Mention it on your Facebook or other social network page
• Promote it on Digg, Reddit, StumbleUpon or your recommendation site of choice

For each of these actions, come back and leave another comment with your e-mail address stating what you did for an additional entry.

Meanwhile, you can also check Seventh Generation’s site for coupons on their products.

Contest ends Monday, May 10. Winner will be chosen by random number selector. I have no material connection with Seventh Generation.

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• « Food Rules 46-48: Don’t eat too much
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Comments ( 20 )

I didn’t know recycled trash bags existed. I also like that 7th Gen makes their paper products without using chlorine. I didn’t know that. Awesome.

DK added these pithy words on Apr 28 10 at 8:13 am

I love that their dishwashing liquid and pacs are chlorine and phosphate free. Seventh Generation is the best!

Kati added these pithy words on Apr 28 10 at 10:50 am

We use cloth napkins and rags to clean so I’ve always thought we were doing good. But I never thought about toilet paper and tissues – we’ll have to try them out (especially since they offer coupons)! Now my fact: If every household switched just one box of tissues for recycled paper tissues, 280,000 trees would be saved.

Mandy added these pithy words on Apr 29 10 at 9:31 am

Compostable fabric softener sheets! Excellent! I love this company!

Kim from Milwaukee added these pithy words on Apr 29 10 at 9:38 am

Alright you convinced me- When the current supply of Kirkland/Costco tee pee runs out I am going to try Recycled tp- takes a while though as a 48 roll case of tp lasts over a year here! We/I use a bidet on a hose here. And time the morning poops to coincide with the shower time as well to help save on tp

Rob added these pithy words on Apr 29 10 at 12:40 pm

Thank you, Rob; I am handing over my “TMI” crown to you.

Just kidding – and good for you for thinking of switching!

Cheap Like Me added these pithy words on Apr 29 10 at 2:45 pm

I learned that if every household in the US switched to Seventh Generation recycled TP we’d save 1.3 BILLON gallons of water. Wow!

Condo Blues added these pithy words on Apr 29 10 at 4:54 pm

I learned that: According to the U.S. Department of Energy, washing your dishes by hand uses more than twice the amount of energy and water it takes to run an EnergyStar dishwasher when washing full loads.

Here’s to being green!

StradaTostada added these pithy words on Apr 30 10 at 7:45 am

Shoot-my fact is about saving water, not about paper products or cleaning products…how about this one: The Science man recommends “trying dish soap and water and comparing the cleaning performance. [to alcohol and vinegar] I think you will be pleased with the results!”

Just might try that!
Thanks!

StradaTostada added these pithy words on Apr 30 10 at 7:48 am

I also didn’t know recycled trash bags were out there. Where have I been? My Fact: About 90% of the energy footprint associated with doing laundry comes from heating hot water. By simply washing more loads with cold water, you can have a BIG impact on your energy use and carbon footprint – and your utility bills!
I just tweeted this contest!

Debbi added these pithy words on Apr 30 10 at 8:07 am

@Strada – Water facts are OK! But your vinegar fact is intriguing! I saw your Facebook post about the contest, so that’s an extra entry and I’ll count both o’ yours.

@Debbi – Thanks for the Tweet! That gives you an extra entry … this comment will count as your extra.

Cheap Like Me added these pithy words on Apr 30 10 at 9:26 am

I love being able to get recycled tp free of plastic!

I learned, we would save 2.4 million trees if each household in the US replaced one 500-count package of virgin-fiber napkins with 7th Gen.

Lisa @Retro Housewife Goes Green added these pithy words on May 02 10 at 2:06 pm

Hey! Check out Staples or Office Depot for Marcal toilet paper. We have found its the best buy for sure, being 100% recycled and the least expensive. You can also order from Office Depot and get it shipped to you.

http://www.marcalsmallsteps.com/

Ruthie added these pithy words on May 03 10 at 3:11 am

I learned the new botanical line has a disinfectant cleaner that will kill 99% of all germs

Lois Shores added these pithy words on May 07 10 at 10:01 pm

The toilet paper is ideal for low flow toilets. We have one of those, too bad it journeyed here all the way from Australia.

Shelly added these pithy words on May 11 10 at 1:11 pm

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