Why we developed PlantPaper.

PlantPaper is our response to an industry and a hygienic practice in dire need of an update.

In the early 20th century, after centuries of wiping with stones, sponges, shirttails and corn cobs, we started using paper made of bleached virgin tree pulp—a scorched earth approach to cleanliness—and haven’t stopped since.

The hidden costs are appalling: over 27,000 trees per day flushed down the world’s toilets. Up to 37 gallons of water to produce each roll. What’s more, some toilet paper brands even test positive for PFAS—forever chemicals.

Times have changed, and so have our ideas about what it means to be clean.

The supply chain behind most toilet paper sold in the U.S. is controlled by a small handful of big corporations. With little competition to incentivize them to innovate, they continue to do what they have always done best: cutting down trees and getting rich doing it.

All the while, they hide behind the excuse that they make their products the way they do because that’s what customers want. It’s certainly not what we want.

And if up until this point, that’s what we’ve been buying, it’s mostly because we haven’t known enough to demand an alternative—or couldn’t find a good one if we did. Toilet paper companies have always spoken in euphemisms about what their product is meant for, and have used cuddly bears and babies to distract us from the real business at hand. We didn’t want to be talked down to, and we didn’t want to beat around the bush.We wanted a toilet paper for 21st century humans.

A toilet paper for everybody.

After three years of research and development, we arrived at a product we’re proud of. Made entirely without trees, zero chlorine or formaldehyde, and requiring only a fraction of the water needed to produce tree paper.

Silky, soft and strong, featuring two sides—one for dabbing, one for grabbing—to keep us clean and leave no trace. We think now is the time to make the change.

Scott, Josh, Lee & Deeva-The PlantPaper team