A new report questions whether toilet paper made from Canada's boreal forest is a sustainable choice, as more eco-friendly options like recycled and bamboo products gain popularity.
Emily Chung and Inayat Singh report for the CBC.
In short:
- The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) rated 145 tissue products on sustainability, with a focus on toilet paper made from Canada's boreal forest.
- While greener alternatives, such as recycled paper and bamboo, scored higher, industry experts claim Canada's forest management ensures long-term sustainability.
- Some consumers are turning to alternatives like bidets to reduce toilet paper usage altogether.
Key quote:
"Toilet paper is the ultimate disposable product. It's something that we use for just a few seconds and then [throw] away forever."
— Ashley Jordan, co-author of NRDC's latest edition of its annual Issue with the Tissue report
Why this matters:
Canada’s boreal forest plays a critical role in regulating the global climate by storing carbon. Using trees from this ecosystem for single-use products like toilet paper raises concerns about long-term environmental impacts.
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