Papier hygiénique en bambou ou pâte à papier traditionnelle : Quelle est la différence ?

What’s the difference between bamboo toilet paper and traditional wood pulp toilet paper?

Bamboo toilet paper is made from fast-growing grass, while wood pulp toilet paper uses slow-growing trees. Bamboo options are more renewable and biodegradable, though traditional pulp remains widely used due to its availability and cost.

1. Raw Material Source

Bambou is technically a grass, not a tree. It can grow up to 1 meter per day and regenerate naturally without replanting. This makes it one of the most renewable raw materials available for paper production.

Traditional wood pulp comes from hardwood or softwood trees, which often take 10 to 30 years to mature. Logging these trees contributes to deforestation and biodiversity loss, especially when old-growth forests are involved.

2. Manufacturing Process

Bamboo pulp is usually processed using mechanical or chemical methods with fewer harsh chemicals. Since bamboo contains less lignin than wood, it requires less energy and chemical input during pulping and bleaching.

Wood pulp, especially virgin pulp, may require intensive bleaching and more energy to break down the lignin structure. Chlorine-based bleaching agents are still used in some conventional toilet paper manufacturing, which raises environmental concerns.

3. Environmental Impact

Bamboo cultivation requires no pesticides, grows on degraded land, and uses significantly less water than traditional tree farming. It also absorbs more carbon dioxide and produces more oxygen than equivalent tree cover.

Traditional wood pulp is still widely used due to its historical infrastructure and cost efficiency, but its environmental footprint includes habitat destruction, soil erosion, and higher water usage.

Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) show bamboo has a lower overall impact, though transportation emissions from exporting bamboo products should also be considered.

4. Performance Comparison

Bamboo toilet paper is generally softer than recycled paper and comparable to high-quality virgin pulp paper. It is naturally hypoallergenic and safe for sensitive skin, often unbleached and fragrance-free.

Wood pulp toilet paper is widely available and known for its consistency in softness and strength. However, depending on the brand, some products may include added chemicals or dyes.

In terms of dissolvability and septic safety, both bamboo and traditional wood pulp products perform well when uncoated and free from additives.

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