How to Choose The Best Biodegradable Toilet Paper for Camping

You’ve packed the tent, stove, and first-aid kit. But the one thing almost every packing list glosses over is toilet paper, especially what happens to that paper once you head back down the trail.

Choosing the best biodegradable toilet paper for a camping or backpacking trip isn’t just about comfort. It’s about how the paper behaves in septic systems, RV tanks, and other systems that can take years to decompose even simple waste.

This guide shows you what to look for in camping toilet paper, how to use it with Leave No Trace in mind, and where bamboo toilet paper fits as an eco-friendly alternative.

Quick-Glance Guide: Best Toilet Paper Options for Camping

What “Biodegradable” Really Means in the Great Outdoors

Many rolls say biodegradable, but that only means the paper may eventually biodegrade. It doesn’t guarantee the toilet paper breaks down fast enough for fragile soil or that it’s safe for septic tanks.

According to Leave No Trace, when you can’t use a standard toilet, you should:

• Use a cat hole (or cathole) that is 6–8 inches deep and at least 200 feet away from water, trails, and campsites

• Bury a small amount of toilet paper deeply in that hole, or pack it out

• Prefer to pack out paper in arid or high-use areas, because even biodegradable paper can linger

So the factors to consider are:

1. How quickly does your toilet paper break down in water and soil

2. What chemicals does it leave behind as it decomposes

3. Whether it’s easy to carry, use, and dispose of on a backpacking or camping trip

Materials: Why Bamboo Beats Virgin Wood and Cheap Recycled Paper

Most traditional toilet paper comes from virgin wood pulp. Chlorine bleaching of that wood pulp has historically been associated with the creation of dioxins. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notes that “chlorine bleaching of pulp and paper and other industrial processes can create small quantities of dioxins in the environment.”

That’s one reason campers look for eco-friendly and zero-waste-leaning options.

Bamboo toilet paper

• Made from natural, fast-growing bamboo rather than slow-growing trees

• Can be left unbleached, avoiding chlorine-based whitening

• Naturally soft, so it doesn’t need lotion coatings

• Often a good eco-friendly option for both home and trail

Choosing organic bamboo toilet paper that is plastic-free and made from sustainably sourced materials reduces both chemical load and packaging waste. Wype’s unbleached bamboo toilet paper is an example of paper made without bleach, PFAS, dyes, or fragrances, designed to be strong in use yet disperse well in water.

Recycled paper and recycled toilet paper

Recycled paper sounds like the obvious winner, and it can be excellent for home use, especially recycled toilet paper made from recycled office paper or other recycled materials. But some bargain rolls use very short fibers, which can shred on skin and in a portable toilet or backpacking toilet bag. Texture also varies widely.

For campers, paper is another consideration: you want something gentle enough for repeated use, not just the lowest-cost TP.

Biodegradable Toilet Paper vs Wipes and “Flushables”

For the best camping hygiene, your first filter is simple: toilet paper and tissue only.

• Wet wipes and so‑called biodegradable wipes often contain plastic fibers and take a long time to decompose. They are not a genuine eco-friendly alternative to toilet paper for outdoor use.

• “Flushable” wipes are notorious for clogging septic systems and municipal lines; they’re a poor choice in septic tanks, RVs, and small portable toilet setups.

• A roll of toilet paper that’s designed to break apart in water is much safer than wipes in a standard toilet or RV tank.

Wype the Right Way

Your skin absorbs more than you think. That’s why Wype’s bamboo tissue keeps it clean—no bleach, no fragrance, no toxins. Just natural bamboo care that feels good and does good.

• ✔ Naturally Hypoallergenic
• ✔ No Bleach, Toxins, or PFAS
• ✔ FSC Certified

Shop Now

If you like a damp wipe, use clean water in a small bottle plus toilet paper, and always wash your hands afterwards.

How to Choose the Best Biodegradable Toilet Paper for Camping

When you’re comparing camping toilet paper or biodegradable TP, look beyond the front label.

1. Check the fibers and ply

• Look for materials like bamboo or other paper made from natural fibers, instead of heavily processed virgin wood.

• A two-ply tissue or 3‑ply/three‑ply sheet can still work outdoors if it’s engineered to disperse in water; ultra-plush traditional toilet paper can be overkill.

You want compact and lightweight rolls that you can easily compress in your backpack yet still feel absorbent in use.

2. Avoid harsh additives

For sensitive skin, hypoallergenic formulas matter, especially on a long hike or backpacking trip when showers are scarce.

Choose eco-friendly toilet paper that is:

• Unbleached or chlorine‑free

• Free from synthetic fragrance and dyes

• Free from PFAS-based “water repellent” treatments

3. Think about where the paper goes next

If your toilet paper is made to break down quickly in water, it’s better for:

• RV and camper tanks

• Pit toilets

• Home septic systems

At the same time, remember that even biodegradable paper left on the surface is litter. Plan for where each sheet of toilet paper ends up: in a cat hole, a W.A.G. bag, or a standard toilet.

How to Use Biodegradable Toilet Paper at Camp

In campgrounds and with portable toilets

When a flush toilet or portable toilet is provided, use it. Only human waste and toilet paper belong in the bowl. Wipes, trash, and pads should be bagged and packed out.

This is where a stronger, yet dispersible, bamboo toilet paper shines: it behaves like good household toilet paper, but without bleaching.

READ MORE:

• Best Nontoxic Toilet Paper for Sensitive Skin

• Chlorine-Free Toilet Paper Brand

• Does Toilet Paper Expire?

In the backcountry

When there’s no facility, follow Leave No Trace and local rules:

• Dig a hole that’s 6–8 inches deep and about a boot‑length wide.

• Choose a spot at least 200 feet away from water, trails, and camp.

• Use a modest amount of biodegradable toilet paper.

• Either bury the paper deeply in the cathole or pack it out if land managers recommend that.

If you’re a backpacker in fragile or high‑use areas, packing paper out is usually the best choice for the environmentally sensitive ecosystem you’re visiting.

Portion your roll of toilet paper into a small dry bag or stuff sack. That keeps it dry, clean, and easy to compress in your backpack.

Why Bamboo Toilet Paper Belongs in Your Camping Kit

If you’re looking for an eco-friendly option that works at home and in the great outdoors, bamboo toilet paper checks key boxes:

• It’s made from sustainable bamboo rather than virgin wood.

• It can be sold as plastic-free rolls with paper wrapping.

• Clean formulas avoid chlorine bleach, dyes, and heavy fragrances.

• The right balance of ply and fiber length keeps it strong in use but lets it disperse in water.

For people who want a single eco-friendly toilet paper for home, RV, and trail, unbleached bamboo toilet paper is a practical upgrade. Swapping from regular toilet paper or harsh TP is one of the simplest ways to support more environmentally friendly options every day.

If you’d like to make that switch, Wype’s rolls of unbleached toilet paper are an example of organic bamboo toilet paper designed for sensitive skin and conscious living, and its organic bamboo tissue paper collection gives you matching tissue options for the rest of your routine.