Ethan Clarke
Tissue paper is a wafer-thin, biodegradable paper made from wood pulp. It is often crafted from recycled wood pulp, and is naturally plastic-free. However, tissue paper is not always easy to recycle, and many recycling centres refuse to accept it. This means that a lot of tissue paper ends up in landfill. In addition, tissue boxes are often wrapped in plastic, which can take a long time to decompose. This has led to concerns about the environmental impact of tissue paper, and some people are now choosing to use handkerchiefs or reusable tissues as an alternative.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic in tissue paper | Tissue paper is plastic-free, but it is often wrapped in plastic packaging. |
| Biodegradability | Tissue paper is biodegradable, but the plastic packaging is not. |
| Compostability | Tissue paper is compostable, but it must be free of foil and glitter. |
| Recyclability | Tissue paper is recyclable, but many recycling centers do not accept it due to contamination or low-grade material. |
| Eco-friendly alternatives | Reusable handkerchiefs or eco-friendly tissue brands are available. |
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What You'll Learn
Tissue paper is biodegradable and compostable
Tissue paper is biodegradable if it is originally derived from wood fibres. Plain tissue, such as that used for gift wrapping or blowing your nose, is made from wood pulp and will eventually break down in a compost pile. It is recommended to compost tissue paper that is free from heavy contaminants like oils or makeup. Tissue paper can be torn into smaller pieces to increase its surface area and help it break down faster in the compost pile.
The terms "compostable" and "biodegradable" refer to a material's ability to break down, but they have distinct meanings. Tissue paper without foil, glitter, or a shiny coating is naturally biodegradable. This means that if left as litter on land or in the ocean, it will biodegrade within a reasonable period and will not contribute to ocean plastic pollution.
Tissue paper is accepted at many industrial compost facilities and can be home-composted as long as it is free of foil and glitter. Unadorned tissue paper can be beneficial to a compost pile as it absorbs excess moisture from food waste and bioplastics. In an efficiently managed compost setting, tissue paper can disintegrate in a few weeks to a couple of months. However, if tissue paper is thrown away in a landfill, it can take much longer to decompose as it is often buried under other waste material.
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Tissue boxes are usually wrapped in plastic
The issue of plastic packaging on tissue boxes is particularly pertinent given the popularity of disposable facial tissues. The disposable facial tissue industry has boomed since the early 20th century, when Kleenex introduced its disposable facial tissues in 1924. Today, many consumers are seeking sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives to traditional tissue products, including plastic-free packaging.
The environmental impact of plastic-wrapped tissue boxes is twofold. Firstly, the plastic packaging contributes to the growing problem of plastic waste, which takes decades to break down and decomposes into microplastics that can litter landscapes and harm the environment. Secondly, when tissue paper becomes trapped in non-biodegradable plastic waste, it breaks down anaerobically, releasing harmful methane gas. This combination of paper and plastic waste contributes to the creation of greenhouse gases.
To address this issue, some companies are now offering tissue boxes with recyclable plastic-free packaging. For example, the brand ARIA provides recycled toilet paper with over 90% post-consumer content in recyclable, plastic-free packaging. Similarly, Natural Value offers a 2-ply tissue made with a minimum of 80% post-consumer recycled content, while Boardwalk Standard's 2-ply tissue is made with 65% post-consumer and 35% pre-consumer waste and comes wrapped in paper and cardboard packaging.
In addition to seeking out plastic-free packaging, consumers can also reduce their environmental impact by composting used tissues or switching to reusable handkerchiefs or soft, washable alternatives. These small steps can help reduce waste and contribute to more sustainable practices.
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Plastic packaging is used inside tissue boxes
Tissue paper is a biodegradable and compostable paper product. However, it is often wrapped in plastic, which can take a long time to decompose. Plastic packaging is commonly used inside tissue boxes to protect the tissues from moisture, dust, and pollutants. This plastic wrap can be difficult to recycle and often ends up in landfills, contributing to environmental waste.
Tissue boxes are typically made of cardboard, which can be recycled. However, the plastic wrap inside the box is considered contamination, and recycling facilities may require it to be removed before accepting the cardboard for recycling. Some facilities may hand-separate the plastic, but it is more likely to end up in landfills.
To reduce plastic waste, consumers can opt for reusable handkerchiefs or compost their used tissues. Companies can also offer environmentally friendly packaging options, such as biodegradable and recyclable materials.
Custom tissue boxes are available in various shapes, sizes, and styles, with different finishing methods like matte or gloss spot UV or lamination. These boxes can be custom-printed with attractive designs and logos to increase the value of the product and boost sales for the brand.
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Tissue paper is not easy to recycle
Tissue paper is a wafer-thin paper made from wood pulp and is often crafted from recycled wood pulp, which contains newspapers and other recognisable paper matter. It is naturally biodegradable and plastic-free. However, it is not easy to recycle.
Firstly, tissue paper is often contaminated with glitter, foil, oil, or any shiny coating. These contaminants disrupt the recycling process, and pure, unadulterated tissue paper is what recycling centres ideally need. Secondly, tissue paper is often used to clean things, and it easily absorbs oils, makeup, creams, and even ink from leaky pens. These can be non-recyclable components, and it is tricky to recycle a tissue soaked in waterproof mascara, for example. Thirdly, tissue paper has very short fibres, and by the time it has been used, these fibres often become too short to produce a quality recycled paper product.
Additionally, not every recycling centre has the machinery or setup to handle tissue paper. Recycling tissue paper necessitates specific equipment that most paper recyclers don't invest in, and even then, it's not easy to work with, which is why many professional facilities have stopped accepting it. Cheaper and easier-to-manage products offer better returns for recycling plants and take priority.
Therefore, it is important to educate consumers about the non-recyclable nature of tissue paper and offer alternative ways to dispose of it. Composting tissue paper at home is a viable option. It can be added to a compost system as brown goods, and it will break down quickly and safely, while also avoiding landfill. However, if the tissue paper is coloured with toxic dyes or inks, it could be an environmental hazard.
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Eco-friendly alternatives to tissue paper
Tissue paper is usually wrapped in plastic, which can take a long time to decompose, causing landfills and landscapes to be littered. The plastic wrap on a tissue box can resist breaking down into its chemical components for decades. The tissue paper itself is biodegradable and will disappear faster than plastic waste, but it can still contribute to landfill waste.
Tissue paper is accepted at many industrial compost facilities and can be home-composted as long as it is free of foil and glitter. However, recycling tissue paper is not always easy, and many recycling centres will not take it.
- Reusable handkerchiefs or eco-friendly tissues
- Washable cloth diapers instead of regular diapers
- Recycled paper towels made of 100% recycled paper
- Tree-free paper products that combat deforestation, such as bamboo toilet tissue paper or recycled paper
- Wrapping paper that is recyclable, compostable, and supports eco-friendly businesses
- Reusable totes or fabric shopping bags for gifts
- Natural elements like large leaves, flowers, bark, soft moss, or dried petals
- Old newspapers, maps, magazines, or brown paper bags
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Frequently asked questions
Tissue paper is usually plastic-free, but it is often wrapped in plastic packaging.
Tissue paper is biodegradable and can be composted or recycled. However, many recycling centres do not accept tissue paper, so it often ends up in landfills.
Yes, reusable handkerchiefs or soft cloth materials are eco-friendly alternatives to tissue paper.
Yes, brands such as Natural Value, Boardwalk Standard, and ARIA offer toilet paper or tissue paper in recyclable, plastic-free packaging.
Yes, the production of tissue paper involves logging trees, which can have negative environmental impacts. Additionally, flushing tissue paper can clog pipes and pollute water streams.
