We tested the best biodegradable toilet paper for outdoor use on the market today according to packability, disposability, and eco-friendliness. Read on to see how they performed, which is best for you, and get some valuable buying advice.
Table of Contents
Best Biodegradable Toilet Paper
The best biodegradable toilet papers are:
- Best Overall Biodegradable Toilet Paper: WHOLEROLL Better Bamboo Toilet Paper
- Best Ultralight Biodegradable Toilet Paper: COLEMAN’S Camper Toilet Paper
- Best Budget Biodegradable Toilet Paper: SEVENTH GENERATION Bath Tissue
- Most Packable Biodegradable Toilet Paper: ADVENTURE WIPES
- Most Eco-Friendly Biodegradable Toilet Paper: BETTERWAY Bamboo Toilet Paper
- Best Microbial Cloth: KULA Cloth
- Best for Usability: COMBAT WIPES Active
The product comparison table below is sortable. Click the arrow in the heading cell to sort the models by preferred spec.
| MODEL | PRICE | WEIGHT | DISPOSABILITY | SCORE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. WHOLEROLL Bamboo Toilet Paper | $1.83 | 3.5 oz | Septic Safe | 8/10 |
| 2. BETTERWAY Bamboo Toilet Paper | $1.61 | 6.5 oz | Septic Safe | 8/10 |
| 3. COLEMAN'S Camper Toilet Paper | $2 | 0.01 oz | Biodegradable, Septic Safe | 8/10 |
| 4. SEVENTH GENERATION Bath Tissue | $0.57 | 4.4 oz | Septic Safe | 8/10 |
| 5. SCOTT Rapid Dissolving | $1.46 | 3.52 oz | Biodegradable, Septic Safe | 8/10 |
| 6. COGHLAN'S Camp Toilet Tissue | $1.48 | 1.44 oz | Biodegradable | 8/10 |
| 7. COTTON BUDS Tissue to Go Toilet Paper | $1.50 | 2.4 oz | Biodegradable, Septic Safe | 8/10 |
| 8. KULA Cloth | $20 | 0.4 oz | Reusable, Non-Disposable | 7/10 |
| 9. ADVENTURE WIPES | $35 | 0.1 oz | Biodegradable, Washable | 7/10 |
| 10. FREEDOM LIVING Toilet Tissue | $3.11 | 5.28 oz | Biodegradable, Septic Safe | 7/10 |
| 11. THETFORD Aqua Soft | $3.03 | 3.95 oz | Biodegradable, Septic Safe | 7/10 |
| 12. PORTAWIPES | $35 | 1.276 oz | Non-Washable, Non-Flushable | 7/10 |
| 13. COMBAT WIPES Active | $8.14 | 5.99 oz | Biodegradable, Non-Flushable | 6/10 |
Best Overall Biodegradable Toilet Paper
Wholeroll Better Bamboo Toilet Paper
Price: $1.83
✅ Eco-friendly
✅ Chemical-free
❌ Requires repackaging
KEY SPECS
- Weight: 3.5 oz
- Disposability: Septic Safe
Our top biodegradable toilet paper choice, the Wholeroll Organic Bamboo toilet paper, is an eco-friendly option packed into a compact roll that's easy to stash in your toilet kit. Like most bamboo toilet paper, the Wholeroll Organic squares are made without any harsh chemicals. Soft and safe for delicate skin, we appreciate that Wholeroll bamboo toilet paper is 3-ply strong for your backcountry wiping needs.
Most Eco-Friendly Biodegradable Toilet Paper
Betterway Bamboo Toilet Paper
Price: $1.61
✅ Sustainable
✅ Durable
❌ Heavy
❌ Bulky
KEY SPECS
- Weight: 6.5 oz
- Disposability: Septic Safe
Though pricey, we acknowledge that BetterWay Bamboo toilet paper is an eco-friendly alternative to regular toilet paper. It has a 3-ply design that is as strong as it is soft. Bamboo also is hypo-allergenic, making it an excellent choice for those with allergies. Because it is packaged as a roll, we suggest making your own protective package to carry the toilet paper in your pack.
Best Ultralight Biodegradable Toilet Paper
Coleman’s Camper Toilet Paper
Price: $2
✅ Weight
✅ No core
❌ Not as environmentally friendly
KEY SPECS
- Weight: 0.01 oz
- Disposability: Biodegradable, Septic Safe
Coleman’s Camper Toilet Paper is a basic biodegradable toilet paper. It has a handy plastic dispenser that makes it easy to remove a wipe without dropping the entire roll in the dirt. We found that the dispenser also prevents the roll from getting wet if pulled out in the rain. Because it doesn't have a core, it takes minimal pack space. Each package contains three dispensers that each contain 65 feet of 2-ply toilet paper.
Best Budget Biodegradable Toilet Paper
Seventh Generation Bath Tissue
Price: $0.57
✅ Price per roll
✅ Environmentally friendly
❌ Heavy
❌ Bulky
KEY SPECS
- Weight: 4.4 oz
- Disposability: Septic Safe
Made with 100 percent recycled paper, we found that the Seventh Generation Bath Tissue is as eco-friendly as it is effective at wiping poop. Not only is it recycled, but the towels don't have any extra dyes, inks, or fragrances. The 2-ply toilet paper will break down but is not as biodegradable as single-ply toilet paper.
Best Microbial Cloth
Kula Cloth
Price: $20
✅ Reusable
✅ Anti-microbial
✅ Colorful
❌ For peeing only
KEY SPECS
- Weight: 0.4 oz
- Disposability: Reusable, Non-Disposable
Technically a pee rag, we feel the Kula Cloth is worth a mention for the ladies on the trail. The highly-absorbent, antimicrobial material helps keep you fresh and dry in the backcountry. We noticed it cuts down on toilet paper and is wide enough that you won't get your hands wet when you wipe. The Kula Cloth resists odor and is easy to clean when you are in town. When you are done with it, we recommend hanging it on your bag to dry.
If you don't like the idea of hanging a pee rag from your bag. You can opt for a pee funnel, which lets you stand and pee. Funnels direct the pee away from your body, so you don't accidentally pee on your shoes or clothing that touches the ground when you sweat. One pro tip: we suggest practicing at home with the funnel before hitting the trail. You don't want to accidentally pee all over your clothing while miles away from a washing machine.
Most Packable Biodegradable Toilet Paper
Adventure Wipes
Price: $35
✅ Compact
✅ Reusable
❌ Require water to use
❌ Non-flushable
KEY SPECS
- Weight: 0.1 oz
- Disposability: Biodegradable, Washable
This compact and lightweight wipe pack easily fits into a backpack or a toilet kit. Something we noticed to be helpful was that these coin-shaped discs ship inside water-resistant storage cases, so you can use them in the rain without ruining them. Made from biodegradable cellulose, these wipes will break down quickly. Like most biodegradable toilet paper, they are hypoallergenic and free from chemicals- another pro in our book. However, these are a little thicker than your average toilet paper and could clog your toilet.
Best for Usability Biodegradable Toilet Paper
Combat Wipes Active
Price: $8.14
✅ Multi-functional
✅ Gentle on the skin
❌ Heavy
❌ Expensive
KEY SPECS
- Weight: 5.99 oz
- Disposability: Biodegradable, Non-Flushable
Baby wipes for the battlefield; these Combat Wipes are thicker and larger than your typical wipe. One of our favorite things about these wipes are their multi-functional abilities. Combat wipes can be used to do more than just wipe, such as cleaning up messes. They may be heavier to carry around because they are bigger, but we observed that you could make them last longer by cutting them in half. They ship in a resealable package that is handy for keeping the wipes moist and clean.
The Other Noteworthy Models
Scott Rapid Dissolving
Price: $1.46
✅ Disposability
✅ Price
❌ Bulky
❌ Need to repackage
KEY SPECS
- Weight: 3.52 oz
- Disposability: Biodegradable, Septic Safe
Available as a full-size roll of toilet paper, we love that the Rapid-Dissolving Toilet Paper breaks down four times faster than regular toilet paper. It's designed for RVs, boats, and buses, but we observed that it works in the backcountry as well. Because it's a full roll, it doesn't come with a handy dispenser. You'll have to package it yourself and use a Ziploc bag to carry it in your pack.
Coghlan’s Camp Toilet Tissue
Price: $1.48
✅ Packable
✅ Low effort
❌ Value
KEY SPECS
- Weight: 1.44 oz
- Disposability: Biodegradable
Ever tried rolling your own toilet paper to take on a trip but can't get it small enough? Don't waste your time. Just grab a package of Coghlan's Camp toilet paper. We appreciate that the pre-wrapped rolls are rolled tightly for storage with just the right amount of biodegradable sheets (140) per roll. The package is resealable to keep the tissues inside clean and dry. A little pricey for a 1-ply toilet paper, in our opinion.
Cotton Buds Tissue to Go Toilet Paper
Price: $1.50
✅ Compact
✅ Ready to use
❌ Lack of environmental considerations
KEY SPECS
- Weight: 2.4 oz
- Disposability: Biodegradable, Septic Safe
Cotton Buds manages to package a usable amount of toilet paper into a dispenser that'll fit in your pants pocket or the pocket of your pack. Each roll has 75 sheets of 3-ply tissue, which is more than enough toilet paper for an extended backpacking trip in our experience. Best of all, they are biodegradable, so you can bury them in a cathole, knowing they will decompose.
Freedom Living Toilet Tissue
Price: $3.11
✅ Breaks down quickly
✅ Septic friendly
❌ Durability
❌ Will need to repackage
KEY SPECS
- Weight: 5.28 oz
- Disposability: Biodegradable, Septic Safe
Designed for RVs and campers, this chemical-free 2-ply toilet paper was designed to dissolve in a matter of minutes. On the flip side, we found that it is not as resistant as other toilet papers on this list. However, we recognize that it remains a good value and makes a solid option for both backpacking needs and septic systems that clog easily. It provides 500 sheets for every roll and can be ordered as a 4- or 8-pack.
Thetford Aqua Soft
Price: $3.03
✅ Septic friendly
✅ Dissolves rapidly
❌ Bulky
KEY SPECS
- Weight: 3.95 oz
- Disposability: Biodegradable, Septic Safe
Thetford Aqua Soft is another popular toilet paper designed to be gentle on septic systems. It's a two-ply tissue that's as close to normal tissue as you can get with a fast-dissolving tissue. We like that it's soft, not scratchy, and dissolves quickly when wet. Like the other camping TP on this list, it's packaged as a full-sized roll. You all have to wrap your own mini-roll and store it in a Ziploc bag.
Portawipes
Price: $35
✅ Portable
✅ Reusable
❌ Non-flushable
❌ Requires water
❌ Bulkier than similar competitors
KEY SPECS
- Weight: 1.276 oz
- Disposability: Non-Washable, Non-Flushable
Portawipes wipes are compressed into small coin-shaped packages. The wipes are bigger and bulkier than competing compressed wipes, but that's not a bad thing in our book. We noticed they are durable and can stand up to multiple uses. Just rinse, dry, and repeat. When done, the wipes are biodegradable, so you can drop them in a cathole or carry them home to your compost pile. Although biodegradable, these are not designed to be flushed down the drain from what we found.
Key Factors To Consider When Choosing
PACKABILITY
CONSIDER TISSUES, CORELESS PAPER, OR TABLETS
You can purchase toilet paper in a variety of forms. There's the typical roll that you can fold and shove in your bag. You can also grab toilet paper that is compressed and shaped into a tablet. The tablets are very compact, allowing you to store many of them in your pack if needed. They are a bit more challenging to use as you have to decompress them before wiping. Another alternative is tissues, which are conveniently packed into self-contained packs.
Most Packable Toilet Paper:
DISPOSABILITY
WIPES CAN'T BE BURIED
When it comes to biodegradability, toilet paper is the preferred choice. It'll break down faster than any other commercial option. Wet wipes are so much easier for wiping, but they don't break down. Even if you bury a wet wipe, it won't break down like toilet paper. You need to carry out wet wipes if you use them.
Most Disposable Toilet Paper:
- COLEMAN'S Camper Toilet Paper
- SCOTT Rapid Dissolving
- SEVENTH GENERATION Bath Tissue
- WHOLEROLL Bamboo Toilet Paper
ECO-FRIENDLINESS
WATCH OUT FOR CHEMICALS
Depending on the type of toilet paper you purchase, the paper may be treated with BPA, perfumes, dyes, bleach, and more to soften the tissue and make it easier on your bum. It also may not be the best choice for the environment. Choose toilet paper made from biodegradable materials like bamboo, hemp, or others.
Most Eco-Friendly Toilet Paper:
Other Things to Consider
MATERIAL
WOOD PULP VS BAMBOO VS ALTERNATIVES
Standard toilet paper is made from wood pulp, but that's not the only material used in TP. You also will see biodegradable materials like bamboo, which is soft and naturally antibacterial. There's also hemp and sugar cane paper made from the waste products generated while making sugar.
RESISTANCE
1-PLY, 2-PLY, OR 3-PLY
You'll often see toilet paper advertised as 1-ply, 2-ply, or 3-ply.
A single-ply has a single sheet, while a two-ply has two sheets, and a three-ply has three sheets. The higher the ply, the more absorbent the toilet paper. Because there are more layers in each square, the higher-ply toilet paper will be heavier to carry and will take longer to degrade.
Toilet paper can also be 'quilted.' Quilting is a way of merging the toilet paper layers to give it some loft. It makes the toilet paper feel plusher, but it doesn't change how it wipes your butt.
Two types of packable biodegradable toilet paper, ideal for backpacking.
USABILITY
Multi-Functionality
When spending time in the backcountry, it’s helpful to carry items that are multi-functional. This can even be applied to toilet paper. Bringing along TP that can be used for wiping items down or cleaning the face can help to reduce overall pack weight. Furthermore, toilet paper does no one any good if it disintegrates in your hand. Be sure to pick something that will help you to get the job done right.
Biodegradable Toilet Paper vs. Regular
Store-bought toilet paper, like your Cottonelle and Charmin, is naturally biodegradable. These sheets are made from natural wood sources and start breaking down as soon as they get wet. It can take toilet paper up to a month to decompose in ideal conditions. In the less-than-ideal woods, toilet paper can hang around significantly longer.
What makes biodegradable toilet paper different from regular toilet paper is the speed at which the paper degrades. Biodegradable toilet paper breaks down four times as fast as standard toilet paper. This speed is supremely important, especially in a privy or a cat hole.
Wouldn't you rather walk by an innocuous pile of decomposed, biodegradable toilet paper than step over a gross toilet paper flower? Biodegradable toilet paper also won't clog drains, making it ideal for recreational vehicles and even your home.
Wipes can't be buried and should be packed out (even biodegradable ones).
How to Poop in the Woods
- Know the regulations: Know the regulations of your area before picking a place to poop. Some highly-trafficked trails, the alpine zone, and wilderness areas require people to pack their poop out. In these areas, you want to use a wag bag.
- Choose your location carefully: Stay away from where you are camping because you don't want somebody stepping in your shat. You also want to avoid water sources (200 feet away), so you don't contaminate them. Look for a location that is private and has soft, organic-rich soil for digging a cathole.
- Digging a hole: Use a trowel, stick, or trekking pole to dig a hole that is 6-8 inches deep and about 4-6 inches wide. (according to Leave No Trace guidelines)
- Squat and go #2 in the hole: To help balance yourself, you can grab a tree a lean back while you squat. You also can sit on a fallen tree and hang your butt off the back. The most challenging position is the freestanding squat, which is how they do it in Asia and requires flexibility.
- Clean up: Clean up using toilet paper or wipes. Ideally, you want to carry out any wipes or toilet paper, even biodegradable ones.
- Cover: Cover up your cathole with the original soils and other natural materials.
- Clean your hands: Use hand sanitizer to clean your hands if you have it. If you need to use water to wash your hands, do not clean your hands in a water source. Collect the water in a bottle and then clean your hands away from the water source.
Digging a hole using a trowel.
FAQs
Should I pack out my poop or bury it?
According to Leave No Trace principles, you should pack out any non-human waste with you, including biodegradable toilet paper. This allows for keeping trails and campsites pristine.
You may think that burying the paper solves the problem, but weather and erosion are most likely going to unearth the paper before it has time to biodegrade, causing it to scatter all over the area.
How do I pack my poop out?
If the ground isn't soft enough to dig a hole, you'll have to pack your poop out along with any toilet paper you use. This can be achieved easily using a so-called wag bag. Think of it as a doggie bag for human waste. The bag has a wide opening that is wide enough to hang your butt over it.
Once you do your business, the bag can be secured until you need it again. Most of these wag bags have a gelling agent inside that'll solidify the bag contents, eliminate smells, and prevent spillage. You can also pick up your poop with a Ziploc bag and double bag it for transport.
What if I don't have toilet paper?
If you don't have toilet paper, you can use some natural alternatives. Striped maple has large, hoof-shaped leaves that are ideal for wiping. You also can grab smaller leaves. Just make sure you have enough of a handful for full coverage.
You also can grab a chunk of moss, which is moist, wet, and holds up well to wiping. Stick to leaves you are familiar with to avoid irritation or allergic reactions.
BetterWay Bamboo toilet paper is an eco-friendly alternative to regular toilet paper.
Can I bury biodegradable wet wipes?
No, you cannot bury biodegradable wet wipes. The typical wet wipes often contain plastic fibers that won't break down.
There are a few brands of plant-based and plastic-free wet wipes that are biodegradable. These biodegradable wipes decompose in a matter of weeks instead of decades. If you choose wet wipes over toilet paper, make sure to pack them out with you.
What do I need inside my backpacking toilet kit?
You should have a backpacking toilet kit in an accessible part of your pack so it is ready to go when you are. You can assemble your own toilet kit using the following items:
- Trowel: (0.6oz)
- Toilet paper: (1oz)
- Ziploc bag for poop and toilet paper: (0.1oz)
- Hand sanitizer: (2oz)
- Bag to hold all of the above: (0.2oz)
The total weight of this kit is approximately 4oz. Instead of toilet paper, some people opt for a bidet that uses water to wash your backside. This 0.42-oz portable bidet by CuloClean can be used with any plastic water bottle.
How much toilet paper do I need?
The amount of toilet paper you need varies from person to person. Keep track of how many squares you use at home and cut that in half. You want enough to keep you covered but not so much that it gets heavy to carry, especially if you are packing it out.
Women typically need more toilet paper because they use it to pee as well as poop. Ladies, if you want to cut down on toilet paper, consider using a pee rag.
650-Calorie Fuel
