One of the challenging things about being vegan is realizing just how many seemingly safe products actually use animal ingredients or are tested on animals. If you’re trying to figure out what you can and can’t buy at your favorite grocery store then you might be wondering: is Trader Joe’s toilet paper vegan?
Trader Joe’s Bath Tissue is considered vegan because it is cruelty-free and does not contain any animal ingredients or derivatives. In fact, all of their paper products are vegan in the same way.
Read ahead to discover more about how vegan and environmentally friendly Trader Joe’s toilet paper actually is, and discover some other great options you can buy elsewhere.
What Is Trader Joe’s?
Before we get into the specifics of their toilet paper and how kind it is to the environment and the animal kingdom, we should first give a quick overview of the company as a whole.
Although they do not have quite as much reach as some of the bigger chains, Trader Joe’s is one of America’s most beloved grocery stores. They operate around 550 stores throughout the country and employ about 50,000 people, reporting revenue of more than $16 billion per year.
Trader Joe’s is a popular grocery store for people who are trying to be more conscious of their impact on the world.
They have a relatively positive ethos compared to many large retailers, offering a smaller selection of carefully chosen products that are intended to be more sustainable and of higher quality than your average grocery company.
Veganism and Toilet Paper
You might think that being vegan is all about what you eat, but there is more to the practice than just diet. Although veganism is generally centered around food, many vegans also try to avoid the use of animal products entirely and limit the amount of exploitation and animal cruelty that their lifestyle involves.
Unfortunately, this can be quite difficult considering the types of animal-based ingredients that are often included in everyday products, and the number of companies that benefit from animal testing and other cruel practices.
When it comes to toilet paper, you would be shocked by how many brands are not completely vegan. The process of making the paper requires some kind of additive or processing aid to bind the fibers together, and this is sometimes derived from animals.
Many companies also use chlorine bleach to color the paper, which is often tested on animals.
The two main offenders when it comes to animal ingredients that you should look out for are gelatin (which comes from the bones and skin of animals) and stearic acid (which is a kind of animal fat).
Trader Joe’s Toilet Paper Ingredients
So, how do we know that the toilet paper at Trader Joe’s is actually vegan and safe for people trying to live an animal-friendly lifestyle? Let’s take a look at what they are made from, and the difference between the two options that they have on their shelves.
Although there is not a clear ingredient list on the packaging, Trader Joe’s has stated that none of their paper products are processed with any animal ingredients or derivatives and that they are cruelty-free.
Their basic Bath Tissue is even made from 100% recycled paper, with 80% post-consumer materials, and was awarded an A+ rank on the latest Issue With Tissue report on the sustainability of various toilet paper brands.
They also do not use any chlorine bleach, which is a product that is often tested on animals. There is another option that Trader Joe’s sells, however, which is their Super Soft Bath Tissue.
It is not as common on the shelves and has been seen less and less recently, but you might still see a few packs around. The Super Soft version is as cruelty-free and vegan as the regular tissue, but it is not quite as sustainable.
To check the current price and availability of Trader Joe’s Toilet Paper, click here to view the listing on Amazon.
Alternative Vegan Toilet Paper Options
If you’re not able to get to a Trader Joe’s or you’re not a big fan of their toilet paper, then there are other vegan options out there.
Some people do find that the regular Bath Tissue at Trader Joe’s is not particularly soft, and it’s not particularly strong either, so you might want to consider what else is on the market.
Seventh Generation
Perhaps the most well-known vegan toilet paper brand out there, Seventh Generation is also unbleached and made from 80% post-consumer recycled material, and it comes with a lot of rolls to a pack.
Aria
Aria toilet paper is surprisingly thick for a vegan option, although it is still not incredibly soft. They are highly committed to sustainability and plant 3 trees for every 1 that they use.
Green Forest
If you want a thicker, softer vegan option then Green Forest might be the one for you. It’s a little more expensive than some of the other brands, but it is 100% recycled with 90% post-consumer material, it is completely cruelty-free, and you get a lot of sheets in a packet.
Who Gives A Crap
If you’re looking to buy online, Who Gives A Crap are really making a name for themselves in the toilet paper delivery game.
This Australian company is humorous and fun, and they deliver very soft 3-ply toilet paper that is vegan, eco-friendly, and 3-ply. They even donate 50% of their profits to fund sanitation projects.
Homemade Toilet Paper
If you want to be as sustainable as possible, you might think about making your own toilet paper. You can use relatively soft non-glossy paper from around your home (like old newspaper), crumple it up, and then soften it by briefly soaking it in water.
Depending on the thickness, this paper may need to be disposed of in the garbage rather than flushed.
You might also consider a bidet and/or reusable cloth wipes that can be cleaned, which can be considerably more pleasant than traditional toilet paper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Brands of Toilet Paper Are Vegan?
Trader Joe’s Bath Tissue is vegan, as is Aria, Seventh Generation, Green Forest, Who Gives A Crap, Cheeky Panda, and more.
Is Trader Joe’s Toilet Paper Environmentally Friendly?
Trader Joe’s Bath Tissue is recycled and does not contain harsh chemicals, so it is considered very environmentally friendly.
What Toilet Paper Is Not Vegan?
Any toilet paper that contains gelatin or animal fats as additives to bind the fibers together is not considered vegan. Also, many toilet paper brands use chlorine that has been tested on animals.
Final Thoughts
So, is Trader Joe’s toilet paper vegan? It is, and it is considered to be pretty sustainable and eco-friendly too.
The Bath Tissue that you can buy at Trader Joe’s does not contain any animal ingredients or ingredients that are tested on animals, and it was awarded an A+ for sustainability on the latest Issue With Tissue report.
It’s made from 100% recycled paper, 80% of which is post-consumer material, and it’s a pretty affordable price compared to many other vegan options on the market.
