Bamboo vs Recycled Toilet Paper: Which Is Better? | NZ Guide
Bamboo vs Recycled Toilet Paper: Which Is Better?
If you're looking for an alternative to conventional toilet paper, two options you're likely to encounter are bamboo toilet paper and recycled toilet paper.
Both take a different approach to the fibre used to manufacture an everyday disposable product. Bamboo toilet paper introduces bamboo-derived fibre, while recycled toilet paper gives previously used paper fibre another life.
So which is better?
There isn't a universal winner. Bamboo and recycled toilet paper each have advantages, and the right choice depends on the product itself and what matters most to your business.
In this guide, we'll compare bamboo vs recycled toilet paper, explain the differences between them and look at what New Zealand businesses should consider when choosing toilet tissue for their washrooms.
What Is Bamboo Toilet Paper?
Bamboo toilet paper is toilet tissue manufactured using bamboo-derived pulp as some or all of its fibre source.
Bamboo is processed into pulp, which can then be manufactured into tissue in much the same way other pulp fibres are used to make paper products.
However, not every product labelled "bamboo toilet paper" is made from 100% bamboo.
Different manufacturers use different fibre compositions, so it's important to check the specifications of the actual product you're considering.
Hygiene Direct's bamboo paper range, for example, is made from:
60% bamboo pulp and 40% wood pulp.
We state that composition clearly so customers know exactly what they're purchasing.
For a more detailed introduction, read our guide: Bamboo Toilet Paper: What Is It & Is It Better?
What Is Recycled Toilet Paper?
Recycled toilet paper is made using recovered paper fibre rather than relying entirely on newly produced paper pulp.
Recovered paper is collected and processed so that its fibres can be reused. Depending on the source and manufacturing process, this can involve sorting, cleaning, de-inking and re-pulping before the fibre is suitable for manufacturing into tissue.
The key principle behind recycled toilet paper is straightforward: existing paper fibre is used again rather than being discarded after its first use.
This makes recycled toilet paper an established option for businesses looking to incorporate recycled materials into their purchasing.
What's the Main Difference Between Bamboo and Recycled Toilet Paper?
The biggest difference is the source of the fibre.
Bamboo toilet paper uses newly produced pulp derived partly or entirely from bamboo.
Recycled toilet paper uses fibre recovered from previously manufactured paper products.
That distinction affects how the products fit into different purchasing priorities.
A business interested in introducing bamboo-derived fibre and reducing plastic packaging might favour a bamboo product with suitable specifications.
A business prioritising the reuse of existing materials might prefer recycled toilet paper.
Neither label alone tells you everything about the finished product.
Bamboo vs Recycled Toilet Paper at a Glance
| Factor | Bamboo Toilet Paper | Recycled Toilet Paper |
|---|---|---|
| Primary fibre source | Bamboo-derived pulp, sometimes blended with other fibres | Recovered paper fibre |
| Uses new fibre? | Yes | Primarily recovered fibre |
| Reuses existing paper? | No | Yes |
| Fibre composition | Varies by product | Varies by product |
| Packaging | Varies by supplier | Varies by supplier |
| Ply and softness | Varies by product | Varies by product |
| Commercial formats available | Standard, mini jumbo and jumbo options are available | Standard, mini jumbo and jumbo options are widely available |
| Septic suitability | Depends on the specific product | Depends on the specific product |
| Certification | Depends on manufacturer/product | Depends on manufacturer/product |
| Best choice | Depends on your priorities | Depends on your priorities |
The important point is that "bamboo" and "recycled" describe the fibre source, not every other characteristic of the product.
Which Is More Sustainable: Bamboo or Recycled Toilet Paper?
This is where comparisons can become misleading.
It's tempting to declare one material environmentally superior to the other based purely on its fibre source. In reality, the environmental impact of a finished toilet paper product can involve considerably more than whether its fibre started as bamboo or recovered paper.
Factors can include:
- Raw material sourcing
- Fibre composition
- Manufacturing processes
- Energy use
- Water use
- Bleaching and processing
- Packaging
- Transport
- Product performance
- Waste and end-of-life
- How efficiently the product is used
Without comparable lifecycle or carbon-footprint data for the specific products being considered, it's difficult to make a credible blanket claim that one is always environmentally better than the other.
For that reason, Hygiene Direct doesn't claim that bamboo toilet paper is automatically more sustainable than recycled toilet paper.
Instead, we recommend comparing the actual specifications and verified claims of the products you're considering.
What Are the Advantages of Bamboo Toilet Paper?
Bamboo toilet paper has several characteristics that may appeal to businesses.
Alternative Fibre Source
Bamboo provides an alternative source of pulp for paper manufacturing.
In Hygiene Direct's range, bamboo makes up 60% of the fibre composition, with the remaining 40% coming from wood pulp.
For organisations looking to introduce bamboo-based products into their purchasing, toilet paper is a consumable that virtually every workplace already needs.
Plastic-Free Packaging
Packaging can be just as relevant to purchasing decisions as the fibre inside the product.
Hygiene Direct's bamboo paper products are supplied in plastic-free packaging.
That provides businesses with a clearly identifiable way to reduce plastic packaging associated with regularly purchased washroom consumables.
Different Commercial Formats
Bamboo toilet paper isn't restricted to household-style rolls.
Hygiene Direct offers bamboo toilet tissue in standard, mini jumbo and jumbo formats, allowing businesses to match roll capacity to washroom traffic and servicing requirements.
Verified Septic Suitability
Hygiene Direct's bamboo toilet tissue is septic suitable and designed to disintegrate rapidly after flushing.
It is compatible with standard septic tanks and municipal sewage systems.
Elemental Chlorine Free Bleaching
The Hygiene Direct bamboo range is manufactured using an ECF – Elemental Chlorine Free – bleaching process.
This means elemental chlorine isn't used in the bleaching process.
Biodegradability
Hygiene Direct's bamboo paper is biodegradable under natural conditions, where it can be broken down by microorganisms.
What Are the Advantages of Recycled Toilet Paper?
Recycled toilet paper has its own strong rationale.
It Reuses Existing Fibre
The most obvious advantage is that recycled toilet paper gives previously manufactured paper fibre another use.
Rather than the fibre immediately leaving the material cycle after its original application, it can be recovered and processed into another paper product.
It Supports Recycled-Material Procurement
Some organisations have purchasing policies or sustainability objectives specifically focused on increasing the proportion of recycled-content products they buy.
For those businesses, recycled toilet paper can fit naturally within an existing procurement strategy.
It Is Widely Available in Commercial Formats
Recycled toilet paper has been used in commercial washrooms for many years.
It is available across numerous roll sizes, ply configurations and dispenser systems, including high-capacity commercial formats.
It Can Be a Practical Commercial Choice
For high-volume facilities, considerations such as cost per metre, carton quantity, dispenser capacity and servicing frequency can be just as important as fibre source.
There are recycled toilet tissue products designed specifically around these commercial requirements.
Is Bamboo Toilet Paper Softer Than Recycled Toilet Paper?
You may see claims that bamboo toilet paper is always softer than recycled toilet paper, but fibre source alone doesn't determine the quality of the finished tissue.
Softness can be influenced by factors including:
- Fibre blend
- Manufacturing process
- Ply
- Embossing
- Sheet construction
- Product specification
The same applies to recycled toilet paper.
Modern recycled tissues can vary considerably in quality, just as bamboo products can.
Rather than assuming one fibre automatically produces a softer product, compare the actual products you're considering.
For facilities where presentation and user comfort are particularly important, product samples or trials can be useful before committing to larger quantities.
Which Is Better for Commercial Washrooms?
For a business, this is often a more useful question than asking which fibre is "best".
Commercial washrooms introduce practical considerations that household buyers don't always face.
These include:
- Number of washroom users
- Frequency of cleaning and servicing
- Dispenser capacity
- Storage space
- Carton quantities
- Roll length
- Cost per use
- User expectations
- Procurement requirements
A premium office, accommodation property or customer-facing facility may have different priorities from a warehouse, school or high-traffic public washroom.
The right toilet paper is the one that balances your fibre and packaging preferences with the practical requirements of the facility.
Standard, Mini Jumbo or Jumbo Bamboo Toilet Paper?
If bamboo is the preferred option, the next decision is the roll format.
Standard Bamboo Toilet Paper
For conventional toilet roll dispensers and washrooms where presentation and comfort are important, Hygiene Direct's 3 ply bamboo toilet paper provides 260 sheets per roll, with 48 rolls per carton.
This format can work particularly well in offices, hospitality, accommodation and customer-facing facilities.
Mini Jumbo Bamboo Toilet Paper
For busier washrooms, Hygiene Direct's 2 ply bamboo mini jumbo toilet tissue provides 200 metres per roll, with 12 rolls per carton.
The additional capacity can reduce the frequency of roll replacement compared with conventional toilet rolls.
Jumbo Bamboo Toilet Paper
For high-traffic facilities, Hygiene Direct's 2 ply bamboo jumbo toilet tissue provides 300 metres of continuous, non-perforated tissue per roll, with eight rolls per carton.
The high-capacity format can help reduce servicing frequency in busy commercial washrooms.
Does Packaging Matter?
Yes, and this is one factor that can sometimes get overlooked when comparing toilet paper.
A business might concentrate entirely on whether the paper is bamboo, recycled or conventional while ignoring how the product is packaged.
Paper products are purchased repeatedly, often in substantial quantities. That means packaging can accumulate over time.
When comparing products, check whether there is:
- Plastic wrapping around individual rolls
- Plastic around multipacks
- Plastic within the outer carton
- Paper or cardboard packaging instead
All products in Hygiene Direct's Bamboo Paper Products NZ range are supplied in plastic-free packaging.
For organisations specifically trying to reduce plastic associated with their consumables, that's an important consideration alongside the fibre itself.
What About FSC Certification?
Certification is another area where businesses should look closely at the wording being used.
Hygiene Direct's bamboo paper range is manufactured by an FSC Chain-of-Custody certified manufacturer.
FSC Chain-of-Custody provides a system for tracing FSC-certified materials through the supply chain.
However, manufacturer Chain-of-Custody certification doesn't automatically mean every finished product made by that manufacturer carries its own FSC product certification.
That's why we use the precise wording:
"Manufactured by an FSC Chain-of-Custody certified manufacturer."
When comparing bamboo or recycled toilet paper from any supplier, look at exactly what certification claim is being made rather than assuming all certification statements mean the same thing.
What About Carbon Footprint?
Carbon claims are another area where caution is useful.
Neither "bamboo" nor "recycled" automatically means that a particular finished toilet paper product is carbon neutral or has a lower carbon footprint than every alternative.
Manufacturing, energy, raw materials, packaging and transport can all contribute to a product's overall footprint.
Hygiene Direct doesn't currently make a carbon-neutral or low-carbon claim for its bamboo toilet paper because there is no independently verified Product Carbon Footprint report supporting such a claim.
Without comparable product-level evidence, we don't think it's appropriate to use carbon claims as the basis for declaring bamboo universally better than recycled toilet paper.
Questions to Ask Before Choosing Bamboo or Recycled Toilet Paper
If you're comparing products for your workplace, ask:
1. What is the actual fibre composition?
Don't assume "bamboo" means 100% bamboo or that "recycled" tells you the percentage of recycled content.
2. How is the product packaged?
Look beyond the tissue itself and check whether plastic packaging is involved.
3. What roll format do we need?
Standard, mini jumbo and jumbo systems serve different washroom requirements.
4. Will it fit our existing dispensers?
Changing paper format may require a different dispenser.
5. How much tissue is on each roll?
Higher-capacity rolls can reduce replenishment frequency.
6. Is it suitable for our wastewater system?
This is particularly important for facilities using septic tanks.
7. What environmental or certification claims can actually be verified?
Look for specific information rather than broad terms such as "green" or "eco".
8. What does it cost in practical use?
Carton price alone doesn't always provide a useful comparison. Roll length, sheets per roll, ply, usage and servicing requirements can all matter.
Bamboo vs Recycled Toilet Paper: Which Should You Choose?
There's no reason every New Zealand business needs to make the same choice.
Bamboo toilet paper may suit your business if:
- You want to introduce bamboo-derived fibre into your consumables
- Plastic-free packaging is important to your procurement goals
- You want standard, mini jumbo or jumbo commercial options
- You value clear information about fibre composition and manufacturing
- The product specifications suit your washrooms and dispensers
Recycled toilet paper may suit your business if:
- Reusing existing fibre is a key procurement priority
- Your organisation has recycled-content purchasing targets
- You have identified a recycled product that meets your performance requirements
- Cost, roll capacity or an existing dispenser system makes a particular recycled product the more practical choice
The key is to compare actual products rather than assuming that one fibre source automatically makes a product better.
So, Is Bamboo or Recycled Toilet Paper Better?
Both can be valid alternatives to conventional toilet tissue.
Recycled paper has the clear advantage of giving existing paper fibre another use.
Bamboo toilet paper introduces bamboo-derived fibre and, depending on the product, can offer other attributes such as plastic-free packaging.
For Hygiene Direct's bamboo range specifically, the verified characteristics include:
- 60% bamboo pulp / 40% wood pulp
- Plastic-free packaging
- Biodegradable under natural conditions
- ECF (Elemental Chlorine Free) bleaching
- Toilet tissue that is septic suitable
- Manufacture by an FSC Chain-of-Custody certified manufacturer
- Commercial standard, mini jumbo and jumbo formats
Rather than claiming bamboo is universally "greener" than recycled paper, we believe businesses are better served by having clear information about what they're buying.
Shop Bamboo Toilet Paper in NZ
If bamboo toilet paper suits your purchasing priorities, Hygiene Direct supplies commercial bamboo toilet tissue throughout New Zealand.
Explore our Bamboo Paper Products NZ range to compare standard, mini jumbo and jumbo bamboo toilet tissue, as well as bamboo slimfold paper hand towels.
Need help choosing the right toilet tissue or dispenser system for your workplace? Contact Hygiene Direct and we can help you compare the available options.
Related Bamboo Paper Guides
Continue exploring our Bamboo Paper guides:
- Bamboo Toilet Paper: What Is It & Is It Better?
- Is Bamboo Toilet Paper Septic Safe?
- Bamboo Toilet Paper for Businesses: Is It Worth Switching?
- How Is Bamboo Toilet Paper Made?
- Is Bamboo Toilet Paper Biodegradable?
- Bamboo vs Regular Toilet Paper: What's the Difference?
- Plastic-Free Toilet Paper: What Should Businesses Look For?
- Why Is Our Bamboo Paper 60% Bamboo and 40% Wood Pulp?