Ultra soft toilet paper a hazard to the environment on clarkhoward.com

Clark's mind is in the toilet with thoughts on the underlying costs of ultra soft toilet paper!

The consumer champ has seen several newspaper articles about environmentalists being upset over the marketing push for ultra soft toilet paper. The production of this bathroom tissue requires that old growth trees be cut down. Environmentalists prefer that we use toilet tissue made from recycled paper goods.

But Consumer Reports recently rated toilet paper and found that ultra soft brands scored well according to their criteria. Green toilet papers, on the other hand, scored relatively low. In fact, the top green paper came in at unlucky No. 13 on the tally.

In general, Americans prefer ultra soft toilet paper to harder tissue made from recycled goods. And then there's the question of cost. Green toilet tissue tends to be more expensive than your standard issue roll.

When manufacturers can make an affordable toilet paper that's pleasant to use and also good for the environment, that's when he'll buy. But for now, Clark's green goes for something that's not green!

Want your say? Vote in our poll!

What others are saying

Toto Washlet
I installed the Toto Washlet on my toilet and it eliminates the need for toilet paper. It sprays warm water and drys with warm air. It is in common use in Japan.
By Arlene @ 10/27/09 12:27:58 PMreport abuse
tp
I guess you could always resort to your hands and just wash really well. No paper used at all!
By Ravenribbs @ 10/20/09 08:58:11 PMreport abuse
T.P.
I see some comments about installing a sprayer to the toilet or bidet that attaches to the toilet. Can someone provide more info. on that. I personally do like bidets.
By Sea Madness 2005 @ 10/20/09 07:52:48 PMreport abuse
Ultra soft toilet paper
I just waddle out back and use my pressure washer (on low pressure setting, of course). I use well water from a pressure tank, so no chlorine is used in the water or in any paper.
By daftzim @ 10/20/09 02:39:06 PMreport abuse
For a very clean BUT- why not use water?
"handy spray" attches to the back of your toilet. Spray your back side clean then use very few toilet paper to just dry your back side. You'll miss it when you are not home and need to go.
By Jan Dal @ 10/20/09 12:47:43 PMreport abuse
The alternative
I choose not to wipe. That saves even more than 'green' paper. The itchies I get and the nose-pinching stares are the only downside.
By SkuddaWudda @ 10/20/09 07:47:26 AMreport abuse
Toilet Paper
Well, this is a funny subject to be giving my opinion on, but it's too temptingly funny not to. Softer is always best. However, wouldn't it be a better idea to invent a different wiper? We should be more inventive, like our forefathers, with the corn cob. Maybe we can biologically change the cell structure of leaves with some natural product, or combine products like sea water with vegetable skins......thinking caps on everybody!
By Dee @ 10/20/09 01:53:38 AMreport abuse
tp
"global warming" and "climate change" are scams. Al Gore is becoming a gazillionaire and we're being bamboozled. It's all about money. GE and others are set to make billions. I'm all for clean energy and conservation but don't tell me a big fat lie to convince me to use scratchy 'green' toilet paper.
By Joan @ 10/19/09 11:27:14 PMreport abuse
We want to pay more!
Americans need to pay more for toilet paper. What a waste of resources. USE LESS TOILET PAPER OR PAY OUT OUT THE YOU KNOW WHERE TO WIPE!
By Joe Chicago @ 10/19/09 08:54:52 PMreport abuse
TP
Has anybody noticed that quilted Northern rolls have gotten smaller? I talking about the width. They're consideraby shorter.
By Linda @ 10/19/09 08:27:32 PMreport abuse
Green products are a scam
Green products. Waste of money. A scam played on a gullible public!
By FransSusan @ 10/19/09 08:10:23 PMreport abuse
tp
there is no old growth trees being cut for any use at this time they are all locked up by the environmentalist and lawsuits
By kwobbly @ 10/19/09 06:19:25 PMreport abuse
Toilet Paper
In these difficult economic times, I recommend last years Telephone Directory and the J.C. Penney Big Book Catalogue.
By Charles Green Thumb @ 10/19/09 03:29:02 PMreport abuse
Green toilet paper
Paper in the US is not made from "old growth" trees. They are far to valuable to make into paper. Paper pulp is made from small, non valuable trees, often needing thinning. In the south a lot of paper is made from 3rd & 4th growth trees grown in plantations on a sustained yield basis. In the west paper pulp is made from mill residue, and waste that would other wise be burned. Some small, low value trees may also be cut here in the west.

Yes, we all use resources from our planet, and trees are renewable.
By Jerry Jensen @ 10/19/09 02:58:45 PMreport abuse
Bidet
TP itself is what's ridiculous. You can get a simple bidet that attaches under the seat and you'll never go back to TP. The only con is you're miserable when not at home and have to use TP!
By jeff @ 10/19/09 02:49:10 PMreport abuse
Wash Don't Wipe
Have to admire the people here. If more of you think with your head than with your bunghole, you would find that installing a spout will wash things to a squeaky clean and Wyoming can still stay green.
By Joe Bidet @ 10/19/09 01:41:17 PMreport abuse
Green tp
I agree with Clark on tp. First of all, trees are renewable sources, so that's no problem, and very often, recycled cost more energy to produce. We need to use our heads in determining about so-called 'green products'. I also do not believe in Global Warming and am also convinced, after reading books and articles, that it's not true and that some investors are about to make tons of money because of it's scare tactics. Disgusting! I'll take soft tp over scratchy 'green' tp any day.
By Rachel @ 10/19/09 01:30:31 PMreport abuse
Shame on you!
Ridiculous!
By Disappointed @ 10/19/09 01:05:32 PMreport abuse
Green Products
I believe in purchasing green products about as much as I believe in Global Warming which is - ZERO!!! It's all about gouging the consumer and in the case of Global Warming - the taxpayers.
By Geralyn Daniel @ 10/19/09 12:49:26 PMreport abuse
toilet paper debate
what ever happened to corn cobs, and catalogs...environmentalists are whimps!
By old school @ 10/19/09 12:41:47 PMreport abuse
Ethics
What?!? So screw the planet, as long as my tutu is happy and I can save a few cents. Ridiculous.
By Jane @ 10/09/09 11:42:35 AMreport abuse
An alternative
It's an odd thing to be talking about toilet paper so in detail, but I'd like to recommend an alternative that might save money and the environment.

Flushable moist wipes for the bathroom are produced by several manufacturers(Cottonelle, Kleenex and store brands). The initial cost is about that of a package of toilet paper but unlike TP you usually need only one or two sheets because of the moisture. You get cleaner and the sheets have a nice scent as well. They also sell refill packs less expensively without the initial dispenser.

I see the average use is about 9 sheets of toilet paper per use compared to 1-2 sheets of flushable wipe. I see where a roll of toilet paper generally lasts one week.

I would love to see some comparisons about what materials these are made out of and the relative cost of toilet paper vs. flushable wipes. Any thought to a commentary on that subject?
By NY Consumer @ 10/08/09 04:04:46 PMreport abuse

Toto Washlet

I installed the Toto Washlet on my toilet and it eliminates the need for toilet paper. It sprays warm water and drys with warm air. It is in common use in Japan.

By Arlene @ 10/27/09 12:27:58 PMreport abuse

I guess you could always resort to your hands and just wash really well. No paper used at all!

By Ravenribbs @ 10/20/09 08:58:11 PMreport abuse

T.P.

I see some comments about installing a sprayer to the toilet or bidet that attaches to the toilet. Can someone provide more info. on that. I personally do like bidets.

By Sea Madness 2005 @ 10/20/09 07:52:48 PMreport abuse

Ultra soft toilet paper

I just waddle out back and use my pressure washer (on low pressure setting, of course). I use well water from a pressure tank, so no chlorine is used in the water or in any paper.

By daftzim @ 10/20/09 02:39:06 PMreport abuse

For a very clean BUT- why not use water?

"handy spray" attches to the back of your toilet. Spray your back side clean then use very few toilet paper to just dry your back side. You'll miss it when you are not home and need to go.

By Jan Dal @ 10/20/09 12:47:43 PMreport abuse

The alternative

I choose not to wipe. That saves even more than 'green' paper. The itchies I get and the nose-pinching stares are the only downside.

By SkuddaWudda @ 10/20/09 07:47:26 AMreport abuse

Toilet Paper

Well, this is a funny subject to be giving my opinion on, but it's too temptingly funny not to. Softer is always best. However, wouldn't it be a better idea to invent a different wiper? We should be more inventive, like our forefathers, with the corn cob. Maybe we can biologically change the cell structure of leaves with some natural product, or combine products like sea water with vegetable skins......thinking caps on everybody!

By Dee @ 10/20/09 01:53:38 AMreport abuse

"global warming" and "climate change" are scams. Al Gore is becoming a gazillionaire and we're being bamboozled. It's all about money. GE and others are set to make billions. I'm all for clean energy and conservation but don't tell me a big fat lie to convince me to use scratchy 'green' toilet paper.

By Joan @ 10/19/09 11:27:14 PMreport abuse

We want to pay more!

Americans need to pay more for toilet paper. What a waste of resources. USE LESS TOILET PAPER OR PAY OUT OUT THE YOU KNOW WHERE TO WIPE!

By Joe Chicago @ 10/19/09 08:54:52 PMreport abuse

Has anybody noticed that quilted Northern rolls have gotten smaller? I talking about the width. They're consideraby shorter.

By Linda @ 10/19/09 08:27:32 PMreport abuse

Green products are a scam

Green products. Waste of money. A scam played on a gullible public!

By FransSusan @ 10/19/09 08:10:23 PMreport abuse

there is no old growth trees being cut for any use at this time they are all locked up by the environmentalist and lawsuits

By kwobbly @ 10/19/09 06:19:25 PMreport abuse

In these difficult economic times, I recommend last years Telephone Directory and the J.C. Penney Big Book Catalogue.

By Charles Green Thumb @ 10/19/09 03:29:02 PMreport abuse

Green toilet paper

Paper in the US is not made from "old growth" trees. They are far to valuable to make into paper. Paper pulp is made from small, non valuable trees, often needing thinning. In the south a lot of paper is made from 3rd & 4th growth trees grown in plantations on a sustained yield basis. In the west paper pulp is made from mill residue, and waste that would other wise be burned. Some small, low value trees may also be cut here in the west.

Yes, we all use resources from our planet, and trees are renewable.

By Jerry Jensen @ 10/19/09 02:58:45 PMreport abuse

Bidet

TP itself is what's ridiculous. You can get a simple bidet that attaches under the seat and you'll never go back to TP. The only con is you're miserable when not at home and have to use TP!

By jeff @ 10/19/09 02:49:10 PMreport abuse

Wash Don't Wipe

Have to admire the people here. If more of you think with your head than with your bunghole, you would find that installing a spout will wash things to a squeaky clean and Wyoming can still stay green.

By Joe Bidet @ 10/19/09 01:41:17 PMreport abuse

Green tp

I agree with Clark on tp. First of all, trees are renewable sources, so that's no problem, and very often, recycled cost more energy to produce. We need to use our heads in determining about so-called 'green products'. I also do not believe in Global Warming and am also convinced, after reading books and articles, that it's not true and that some investors are about to make tons of money because of it's scare tactics. Disgusting! I'll take soft tp over scratchy 'green' tp any day.

By Rachel @ 10/19/09 01:30:31 PMreport abuse

Shame on you!

Ridiculous!

By Disappointed @ 10/19/09 01:05:32 PMreport abuse

Green Products

I believe in purchasing green products about as much as I believe in Global Warming which is - ZERO!!! It's all about gouging the consumer and in the case of Global Warming - the taxpayers.

By Geralyn Daniel @ 10/19/09 12:49:26 PMreport abuse

toilet paper debate

what ever happened to corn cobs, and catalogs...environmentalists are whimps!

By old school @ 10/19/09 12:41:47 PMreport abuse

Ethics

What?!? So screw the planet, as long as my tutu is happy and I can save a few cents. Ridiculous.

By Jane @ 10/09/09 11:42:35 AMreport abuse

An alternative

It's an odd thing to be talking about toilet paper so in detail, but I'd like to recommend an alternative that might save money and the environment.

Flushable moist wipes for the bathroom are produced by several manufacturers(Cottonelle, Kleenex and store brands). The initial cost is about that of a package of toilet paper but unlike TP you usually need only one or two sheets because of the moisture. You get cleaner and the sheets have a nice scent as well. They also sell refill packs less expensively without the initial dispenser.

I see the average use is about 9 sheets of toilet paper per use compared to 1-2 sheets of flushable wipe. I see where a roll of toilet paper generally lasts one week.

I would love to see some comparisons about what materials these are made out of and the relative cost of toilet paper vs. flushable wipes. Any thought to a commentary on that subject?

By NY Consumer @ 10/08/09 04:04:46 PMreport abuse

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Oct 08, 2009 -- Ultra soft toilet paper a hazard to the environment

What others are saying