The ultimate guide to recycled toilet roll

Recycled toilet paper: everything you need to know

Recycled toilet roll is becoming more and more popular with households looking to rethink their everyday essentials, and the impact they have on our home environment. But what exactly is recycled toilet roll, and how does it compare to standard, or even the more ‘eco’ bamboo toilet paper options?

This guide breaks it down simply for you - what recycled toilet roll is, how it’s made, and what you can expect in terms of softness, strength, and performance.

What is recycled toilet paper?

Recycled toilet roll is made from paper that has already been used once, rather than from virgin wood pulp which comes from freshly cut trees. This can include materials like office paper, newspapers, and other paper waste that would otherwise be discarded.

Instead of going to landfill, these materials are collected, cleaned, and processed into new paper fibres. Those fibres are then used to create toilet roll, giving the material a second life.

Our Kit & Kin toilet roll is made from 100% recycled paper, FSC certified, and produced without chlorine, so you know exactly how it’s sourced and processed.

How is recycled toilet paper made?

First, used paper is collected and sorted to remove anything that can’t be used. The recycled paper we use comes from offices around the UK - giving a second life to all of those discarded print outs and to-do lists! It’s then cleaned to strip away inks and impurities before being broken down into a pulp. This pulp is pressed, dried, and formed into sheets, which are then rolled and cut into toilet paper.

Because the fibres have already been processed once, the method we use to make our Kit & Kin recycled toilet rolls avoids the need for new raw materials. The result is a product that makes use of what already exists, rather than starting from scratch - with the aim of minimising our impact on the environment.

It’s even manufactured in the UK, making it a fully circular process that minimises impact on the environment and carbon footprint - especially when compared with mainstream brands who choose to ship all the way from China.

Is recycled toilet paper soft?

One of the most common questions is whether recycled toilet paper feels as soft as standard toilet roll. The short answer is yes - recycled options like ours are designed with comfort in mind.

Advances in manufacturing mean that recycled fibres can be processed in a way that creates a smooth and comfortable finish. In most cases, the difference people notice is how it looks rather than how it feels.

The feel itself is much closer to standard toilet paper than many expect. Our Kit & Kin toilet roll is even finished with a naturally derived lotion, making it feel even softer on your skin.

Is recycled toilet paper strong enough?

Strength is another area where recycled toilet paper performs surprisingly well. A good-quality roll - like our Kit & Kin toilet roll - is designed to be durable and absorbent, holding up to everyday use without tearing too easily.

The strength of toilet paper depends more on how it’s made than on whether the fibres are recycled or virgin. Layering, fibre bonding, and overall construction all play a role in creating a roll that feels reliable when you use it, giving you the same level of performance people expect from the mainstream non-recycled brands.

Recycled toilet paper vs regular toilet paper

The main difference between recycled and regular toilet paper comes down to the materials used.

Standard toilet paper is usually made from virgin wood pulp - which uses fresh raw materials from cutting down new trees, and can take years to grow back - and can be a more intensive production process. Recycled toilet paper, on the other hand, is made from paper that has already been used, keeping those materials in circulation for longer. Not only is waste paper easy to give a second life, but it avoids using up new raw materials.

There are also differences in how the paper is treated. Regular toilet paper can use a lot of harsh chemicals like chlorine to achieve that brilliant white colour we’re used to seeing on our supermarket shelves. Many recycled options are made without chlorine bleaching or added fragrances, like ours, which doesn’t use harsh chemical bleaching.

Recycled toilet paper vs. bamboo toilet paper

Bamboo toilet paper is often presented as a more ‘eco’ alternative, but it works in a different way. Although bamboo is a fast-renewing material, it still requires a lot of intense processing and harsh chemicals to break it down and make it soft.

Recycled toilet roll takes a different approach, by using what already exists. Instead of growing and processing new fibres, it repurposes existing paper waste and turns it into something usable again.

There can also be differences in where products are made and how far they travel before they arrive on your doorstep. Recycled toilet paper that’s sourced and manufactured locally - like ours - involves fewer transport miles compared to some bamboo options, which are often produced overseas and shipped around the world, adding to the carbon footprint.

Is recycled toilet paper safe for sensitive skin?

Recycled toilet paper can be a great option for people with sensitive skin, particularly when it’s made without chlorine, synthetic fragrances, or harsh chemical treatments.
By keeping the ingredients simple and avoiding unnecessary chemicals and artificial fragrances, our recycled toilet roll is designed to be gentle enough for sensitive skin.

Why choose recycled toilet paper?

Switching to recycled toilet paper is ultimately about rethinking an everyday essential. When you consider what products you use at home multiple times a day, every day, toilet roll is probably at the top of that list. So, if you want to be more mindful of the planet, switching to a recycled toilet roll is one of the easiest ways to minimise your impact. It takes an everyday essential and approaches it in a more mindful way, using existing materials, avoiding harsh chemicals, and refining the production process.

For many households, it’s not about changing everything - it’s about making small, practical swaps that fit easily into everyday routines. And for something as frequently used as toilet paper, that kind of change can add up over time.