Bamboozled? Read on...

We’re always keen to be as transparent as possible about our products and processes. Here’s some helpful information regarding a few of the most common topics around bamboo toilet roll.

Carbon Footprint

At the moment, Kind Behind doesn’t publish a full cradle-to-grave carbon footprint per roll. However, bamboo as a raw material is generally lower impact than virgin tree pulp because it grows very quickly, requires little water, and absorbs relatively high amounts of CO₂ during growth.

That said, it's right to question the overall footprint. Transport, processing and manufacturing energy all play a role. Some bamboo toilet roll brands that publish lifecycle data report figures around ~177 g CO₂e per roll, but this varies significantly depending on supply chain and production methods.

So the honest answer is: bamboo can be lower carbon, but the exact footprint depends on full transparency across the supply chain.

FSC & Monoculture Concerns

FSC certification doesn’t automatically mean perfect biodiversity — it means the material comes from managed sources that meet environmental and social standards.

Some FSC-certified systems (including bamboo) can still be monoculture plantations
Biodiversity outcomes vary depending on how the land is managed

FSC aims to prevent the worst practices (like deforestation or illegal logging), but it isn’t a guarantee of diverse ecosystems. It’s better seen as a baseline standard, not the ceiling of sustainability.

FSC 100% means that all the materials in the product are sourced from forests that have been audited by an independent third party to confirm they are managed according to FSC social and environmental standards. When we rated bamboo toilet paper companies for their paper sourcing, we gave credit to those who sourced FSC certified bamboo as its standards provide some guarantee against converting natural forests to grow bamboo. Ethical Consumer Magazine

Bamboo Processing

For toilet paper (including bamboo), the process is typically:
Bamboo is harvested and chipped
It’s turned into pulp
The pulp is pressed and dried into paper

For Friendly Soap's Kind Behind specifically:
It’s unbleached, so it avoids chlorine-based whitening processes
No PFAS/BPA or added harsh chemicals are used in the finished product

The nuance is: bamboo fibre itself is natural, but paper-making is still an industrial process.

Is Bamboo Toilet Paper Safe For Drains?

The short answer is yes, Kind Behind bamboo loo roll is drain safe. Here are the features plumbers look for when saying something is “flush-safe”.

• Septic tank friendly, biodegradable bamboo (breaks down naturally)
• No harsh chemicals / unbleached (helps it disintegrate properly)
• Plastic-free & simple fibres (nothing extra to clog pipes)

What Not To Buy

Is it made from virgin tree pulp?

If it carries the label “FSC Mix” or “FSC 100%” then it will include virgin tree pulp. There is no need to cut down trees to make toilet roll as Kind Behind is FSC 100% Bamboo.

Is it whitened?

Avoid whitened toilet paper as it uses bleach and opt for paper that is unbleached. Recycled toilet rolls will be bleached so its far better to opt for unbleached bamboo.