Are Bidets Good for the Environment?

An Environmental Case for Bidets

While bidet use in the United States if far behind usage in other parts of the world, they are gaining popularity. Google Trends saw a massive spike in searches about bidets during the early stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic due to the scarcity of toilet paper on store shelves.

No doubt, the number of bidets or bidet attachments increased in American homes in 2020. The fact is, bidet use in general is more hygienic than toilet paper, great for hemorrhoid sufferers, and honestly just feels more refreshing. Another great thing is that bidets are good for the environment as well.

Bidets Save Trees and Water!

Americans use a lot of toilet paper. In fact, they use more than any other country in the world. All of the toilet paper adds up to a lot of trees. Toilet paper manufacturing is responsible for the destruction of a whopping 15 million trees per year. On average, a single person will go through 384 trees worth of toilet paper in their lifetime!

On the surface, it may seem like bidets waste water. After all, you are using extra water to clean up. However, most people forget to take into account the amount of water used in the production of the toilet paper that you will be using less of by switching to a bidet. Almost 473 BILLION gallons of water (that is 37 gallons per roll of toilet paper) are used annually to produce America’s toilet paper needs. Throw in another 37 gallons of water flushed down the toilet per roll of toilet paper consumed and the extra water from bidet use pales in comparison.

Can Bidets Really Save the Environment?

Will switching to a bidet lifestyle really make a difference for the environment? Like most environmental lifestyle changes, it adds up as more and more people get on board. So while the trees and water that you save may be miniscule in the grand scheme of things, switching to a bidet helps us take a tiny step forward towards a healthier environment.

You can help push things forward by sharing how much you love your bidet. It may seem taboo to talk about such a thing, but as more and more people see and hear about them, the less taboo it will become. I remember explaining to my son what a bidet was one day on the way home from school. We hadn’t purchased one yet and he had no idea what they were. The thought of it must have embarrassed him because he said: “I can’t believe that I’m having this conversation with you on the way home from school.”

As he has grown accustomed to it since getting one, he isn’t nearly as embarrassed about it. The bidet is just another household item and a part of life. If your children see them as normal, they are more likely to use them as they grow up and move out on their own.

What About Wet Wipes

For some, wet wipes seem to strike the perfect balance between using toilet paper and using a bidet. Wet wipe proponents say that their moisture provides a softer and more thorough cleaning than regular toilet paper, without the seemingly uncomfortable thought of having water sprayed on their rear ends. I can’t discourage their use enough though. Unlike toilet paper, many wet wipes do not break down properly and can cause build up and clogs in sewer systems and pipes. If there is one thing that you don’t want in your home, it is a backed up sewage system!

Where Do I Start?

First, you can find all sorts of info about bidets here at bidetthings.com. We have informational articles, guides, and reviews. You can help support us by heading to Amazon to pick out a new bidet upgrade for your bathroom.

Since some people still need to use a small amount of toilet paper to dry off after using their bidet, (check out our article about How to Dry Off After Using a Bidet), pick up some bamboo toilet paper. Bamboo toilet paper is a great alternative to regular toilet paper since it is a rapidly renewable source of paper that absorbs 30% more CO2 than trees.