How much toilet paper do Canadians use?
Do you know how many rolls of toilet paper (TP) you use per year? You might be surprised to learn that the average Canadian uses about 83 rolls of TP annually. Over an entire lifetime, that means each Canadian wastes roughly 6,886 rolls! That’s a ton of wiping!
Here are a few more fun facts…If you stretched out 6,886 rolls of TP, they would cover approximately 630 km! That’s like driving from Toronto, Ontario, past Montreal, Quebec—a total distance of 508 km. Yikes! Think about this: Canadians collectively consume 286,444,833 km of TP every year. The Trans-Canada Highway spans 7,476 km from coast to coast. By my calculations, the TP we use annually could stretch across our nation 38 times!
Unfortunately, all that pulp to make toilet tissue has to come from somewhere and we know that that somewhere is from trees! In fact, over 2,088,399 trees are cut down every year just to satisfy our wiping habits. And remember, that’s only in Canada! Overall, our country ranks eleventh in annual TP consumption, while China and the United States top the global list. Imagine how many trees companies clearcut worldwide just to make this product—it’s truly mind-numbing!
How does toilet paper production affect the Canadian boreal forest?
Logging companies clearcut over one million acres of Canadian boreal forest each year! Unfortunately, many of these trees become toilet paper.
Where does the Canadian boreal forest lie? It stretches from Yukon and Northern British Columbia all the way to Newfoundland and Labrador. Only New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island are outside its range.
Why does the boreal forest matter? It provides a home for billions of North American songbirds, 150 bird species, mammals, insects, fungi, and micro-organisms. The forest also contains numerous lakes, rivers, and wetlands. Additionally, First Nations have traditionally inhabited this territory, and it holds both cultural and economic significance for them. Therefore, clearcutting directly harms wildlife, damages the natural environment, and threatens the treaty rights of many First Nation communities. Sadly, Canada ranks among the highest countries in the world for deforestation.
Why is the Canadian boreal forest globally significant?
The Canadian boreal forest holds global significance because it stores twice as much carbon as the planet’s tropical forests. This fact gives us another important reason to protect it. Moreover, clearcutting releases nearly 26 million metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which equals the annual emissions of approximately 321 million cars.
How many rolls of toilet paper can one tree produce? This question is nearly impossible to answer because trees vary in shape, size, species, and wood density. A more accurate approach might use a different strategy. For example, experts estimate that a single cubic foot of wood can produce between 40 and 80 rolls.
Why is Bamboo Toilet Paper a more sustainable & eco-friendly choice?
If you’re exploring ways to make more eco-friendly choices in everyday life, switching to bamboo toilet paper is a simple and impactful step. Bamboo toilet tissue offers the softness and strength you want, with a whole lot of environmental benefits that traditional paper just can’t match. It is also very absorbent. For instance, my family is now only using 6-7 rolls of TP per month!
Bamboo Grows Incredibly Fast
Bamboo, a type of grass, shares many properties with hardwood. It grows super fast—up to 3 feet per day! This makes it the world’s fastest-growing plant. In fact, it grows 30 times faster than regular trees. Its rapid growth allows cultivators to harvest bamboo often without harming the environment or depleting resources. Additionally, bamboo grows without tending, irrigation, or fertilization. As a result, they can typically harvest a crop after only 3 years, while trees may take 50 years or more to mature.
When cultivators harvest bamboo, they don’t cut it from the base, so the soil underneath stays undisturbed. In fact, cutting bamboo can stimulate its growth. Did you know bamboo can reach heights similar to trees? It can shoot up to 130 feet tall and develop stems that are one foot wide! Who knew???
Saving Water and Energy Naturally
Processing traditional wood-based toilet paper requires a ton of water and energy. Consequently, producing one roll of TP takes 37 gallons of water and 1.3 kilowatts per hour of electricity.
On the flip slide, bamboo TP uses about 30% less water and energy to produce a roll.
Softness Without the Chemicals
Many regular TP companies resort to bleach and other chemicals to soften wood pulp. That being said, the softer and thicker your TP, the more toxins were used to make it.
However, bamboo fibers are naturally soft and strong, so they don’t need the heavy bleaching to get that plush feel. Furthermore, bamboo TP is hypoallergenic and has natural antimicrobial properties that prevents bacteria growth on the paper’s surface. Not only is it better for the environment, but also for your skin!
Fast Dissolving and Septic-Safe
If you’re worried about your septic system, bamboo toilet paper is a winner. It dissolves quickly, making it safe and easy on pipes and septic tanks. In fact, it breaks down in just 3 to 4 weeks, compared to traditional TP which can take several months to fully decompose.
Better for Wildlife and Our Planet
Because bamboo grows without pesticides or fertilizers and uses less water, it protects wildlife habitats and reduces pollution. Moreover, FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Certified bamboo TP comes from responsibly managed bamboo forests, benefiting both the local environment and communities.
In contrast, traditional TP production clearly contributes to deforestation and destroys habitats. To put this into perspective, clear-cutting has already caused the Canadian boreal woodland caribou to lose over half of its natural habitat.
As you can see, bamboo TP offers a more sustainable, ethical, and low-impact choice for the environment. It also feels soft, performs strongly, and absorbs exceptionally well. I’m thrilled I discovered it over a year ago! I will never go back to buying traditional paper. Are you ready to make the switch?
If you are, please click here to learn more about ‘Roll Up’, a Canadian company that is based out of Toronto and that sells bamboo hygiene products. Please note if you do decide to make a purchase through the links in my article, I will earn a small commission to continue this website. It is at NO extra cost to you. Thanks again for your support!
SOURCES
Berman, Tzeporah. Canada clearcuts one million acres of boreal forest every year…a lot of it for toilet paper. The Narwhal. March 21, 2019. Canada clearcuts one million acres of boreal forest every year … a lot of it for toilet paper | The Narwhal
Chandler, Nathan. How Toilet Paper Works. HowStuffWorks. How Toilet Paper Works | HowStuffWorks
Hall-Geisler. Is It Scratchy? 5 Things to Know About Bamboo Toilet Paper. HowStuffWorks. Is It Scratchy? 5 Things to Know About Bamboo Toilet Paper | HowStuffWorks
How Many Trees Does It Take To Make 1 Roll of Toilet Paper? World Atlas. How Many Trees Does It Take To Make 1 Roll Of Toilet Paper? – WorldAtlas
Jouini, Jihene. Bamboo Paper: 5 Reasons You Should Make the Switch. Roll Up. Nov 1, 2021. Bamboo paper: 5 Reasons You Should Make the Switch | Roll Up
Jouini, Jihene. Is Bamboo Toilet Paper Septic Safe (for Septic Systems)? Roll Up. Sept 7, 2023. Is Bamboo Toilet Paper Septic Safe (for Septic Systems)? | Roll Up
Weeden, Meagan. 8 Amazing Bamboo Facts. One Tree Planted. Jan 14, 2025. 8 Amazing Bamboo Facts – One Tree Planted
Wipe of Wash? Do Bidets Save Forest and Water Resources? SCIAM. Dec 16, 2009. Wipe or Wash? Do Bidets Save Forest and Water Resources? | Scientific American
World Toilet Paper Consumption, Visualised. QS Supplies. Jan 17, 2022. World Toilet Paper Consumption, Visualised | QS Supplies
