toilet paper

Toilet Paper – Which is Best for Septic Systems

by Ri Industries

Toilet paper: A necessary item for all of us, but one we don’t give much thought to until a problem arises, like a clogged toilet, a septic system in need of repair, or a worldwide shortage like we experienced in 2020. We may not be able to help you with the supply and demand issue, but we certainly can share important information to help avoid clogged toilets and damaged septic systems.

It’s actually quite simple. Your choice of toilet paper and how much is used can make a big difference in how well a septic system works. We’ve previously spoken about this in our blog Which Toilet Paper is Best for my Septic System?.

What characteristics of toilet paper are best for the septic system?

Recycled paper – The benefits here are the lack of bleach or other harsh chemicals that might affect the delicate balance in a septic system.
Biodegradable paper – This paper is specially designed to break down quickly. Non-dissolvable fibers are not used and the bonds in the paper are looser than non-biodegradable toilet paper.

The industry experts over at sensibledigs.com have formulated their list of the Best Toilet Paper for Septic Systems of 2021. Even though they are based in the US, the good news is that most of these toilet paper brands are available in Australia, too. Here are their choices:

  • Best Ultra Soft – Cottonelle Ultra Comfort Toilet Pap
  • Best 2-Ply Septic-Safe – Amazon Brand Presto   
  • Best Scented Septic-Safe – Angel Soft Lavender Toilet Paper 
  • Best for RVs – Firebelly Outfitters RV Toilet Paper 
  • Best Recycled – Seventh Generation White Toilet Paper 
  • Best Bamboo Septic-Safe Toilet Paper – Caboo Tree-Free Toilet Paper 

Now you may be wondering what are the characteristics of toilet paper that are bad for the septic system:

  • Quilted – The adhesion between the layers will make this paper more difficult to break down.
  • Triple (or more) Ply – Again, it’s about the layers. The more layers the paper has, the longer it will take to break down.
  • Scented – The fragrance added to the paper introduces harsh chemicals into the delicate balance of the septic system. The experts chose Angel Soft Lavender Toilet Paper for the ‘Best of’ list because it’s not the paper itself that is scented, it’s actually the tube the paper comes on that is scented – clever!

Now that you’ve carefully chosen the safest brand of toilet paper for your septic system, we should talk about how much toilet paper to use: As little as possible. Should the need arise to use more paper than usual, flush throughout the use.

The septic system is designed to be out of sight and out of mind. You can help to keep it that way by smartly choosing the right type of toilet paper and limiting how much you use.

Have questions? Give us a call at 08 8444 8100.

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Which Toilet Paper is Best for my Septic System?

by Ri Industries

You may not realise that sense of satisfaction when you flush the toilet and see the smooth flow of water down the drain until the moment when you flush and feel a sense of dread as you watch the water rise towards the top of the bowl. The instant moment of panic as you realise the toilet is clogged and will likely overflow at any moment. Clogged toilets can cause a lot of damage. This is something you already know. What you might not know, is that the type of toilet paper you are using may actually be the culprit!

While people may think about what is and is not OK to flush down the toilet, toilet paper surely makes every ‘ok’ list out there. What most people don’t know is that soft and thick varieties of toilet paper could create problems for your septic system because they don’t dissolve quickly. Of course, the amount of toilet paper should also be watched. Flushing excessive amounts of toilet paper at one time can also be major contributors to problems and clogs.

The good news here is that the fix is simple and within your control. Only flush small amounts of toilet paper at one time and research the type of toilet paper you use. What’s the best type of toilet paper to buy? Paper that is soft, strong, and most importantly for your septic system, dissolves quickly. There’s even a fun little test you can do at home to check the toilet paper you choose before you flush. Test the paper by soaking it in water for 30 minutes and see how much it breaks down. The more it breaks down the better.

Properly functioning septic systems are important for your home and can be expensive to fix or replace. Taking control when and where you can will help keep your septic system running smoothly for many years to come. Questions? Call Ri-Industries at 08 8444 8100 and we will be happy to help you.

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Everything You Never Wanted to Know About Toilet Paper

by Ri Industries

Hopefully, you have read our previous blogs and know that they are full of useful and important information about septic systems, green living, and water conservation. There is one topic which has been overlooked despite the impact it has on each of these topics: toilet paper.
How do you choose the toilet paper you buy? Do you grab the least expensive? Do you look for “green” labeling? Do you choose 1 ply, 2 ply, or 3 ply? Do you research which brand will have the least effect on our environment? Perhaps you are uncertain what you should consider before making this important purchase, so we have compiled a number of facts to educate and entertain you.
• Did you know that approximately 70 – 75% of the world does NOT use toilet paper? Some areas of the world have a lack of trees which means not enough resources to produce the paper. Some people cannot afford toilet paper whilst others just don’t want to spend money on fancy paper that is made just to wipe their bums.
• A roll of toilet paper lasts approximately 5 days in an average household.
• On average, people use 8 – 9 sheets of toilet paper per use with an average of 57 sheets per day.
• On average, 384 trees are used to make the toilet paper one man will use in a lifetime.
• The first paper specifically designed for the task of cleaning ones’ bottom dates back to the 14th century when a Chinese emperor ordered it in 2 foot X 3 foot sheets.
• Rolled and perforated toilet paper, as we use today, dates back to the 1880’s.
• People who hang the paper to be pulled from behind are considered to be more intelligent than those who hang it to be pulled from the top.
• In 1935, Northern Tissue proudly advertised splinter free toilet paper. That’s right, be grateful for the softness we experience today!
• In 1999, The Virtual Toilet Paper Museum opened.
• Only five percent of the toilet paper we flush away in Australia is made from recycled paper.
1millionwomen.com provides some good information on the effects of worldwide toilet paper production and its impact on the environment. For example, how many brands claim to be “green”, but are not as green as we are led to believe. They explain just what we should look for in green toilet paper.
If going green is not your top concern, perhaps you would like to go gold. Yes, Toilet Paper Man has a limited supply (1) of 3 ply toilet paper with 24 carat gold throughout the roll. Best of all, this product is proudly made right here in Australia!