Bidet vs. Toilet Paper: The Great Eco Showdown – Water, Trees & Dollars on the Line

Let’s get one thing straight: wiping your butt with trees is weird. In a world where we recycle everything from cans to clothing, we still mow down forests and use rivers of water to produce little white squares that end up in the sewer. It’s 2025 – time to talk about switching from wiping to washing.

The Water & Resource Reality

Bidets use a splash, not a gallon. Modern electric bidets use about one‑eighth of a gallon per wash. In contrast, manufacturing a single roll of toilet paper consumes about 37 gallons of water. All those gallons get flushed down the supply chain long before you flush your toilet. Toilet paper is a thirsty business. Producing virgin toilet paper not only destroys trees, it requires cutting, pulping, bleaching and drying – steps that consume large amounts of energy and water. Kai Chan from the University of British Columbia bluntly states that bidet water use is “absolutely negligible compared to the water that would go into making toilet paper”. Hidden chemicals you don’t want near your bum. PFAS (“forever chemicals”) and bleaching agents used in toilet paper production often persist in wastewater. Switching to washing with water instead of wiping can reduce these contaminants.

Show Me the Money

You’re flushing cash. Households spend $120–$150 a year on toilet paper, according to industry estimates. Entry‑level electric bidets cost less than $250 and last for years. Do the math: a bidet pays for itself in about two years, then continues saving you money. Small investment, big payback. Even simpler non‑electric bidet attachments cost under $100 and can cut toilet paper use by 80 % or more (based on testimonials). Factor in fewer clogged pipes and plumber visits, and the savings multiply.

Environmental Payoff

Using a bidet isn’t just about luxury; it’s about sustainability. Less toilet paper means fewer trees felled, less energy spent processing pulp, and fewer chemicals leaching into our waterways. When a single bidet wash uses a splash of water and a roll of paper takes 37 gallons to produce, the greener choice is obvious.

Final Flush

If you’re still clinging to your paper habit, ask yourself why you’re literally throwing money and resources down the drain. Bidets use a tiny amount of water, save you hundreds of dollars over time, and keep millions of trees standing. The planet, your wallet, and your backside will all thank you.