Written by Surabhi Virnave and Leslie Shad

What if Americans could save bird habitat and help protect birds by changing the toilet paper we flush?

Natural Resources Defense Council has some suggestions in its new, updated ranking of toilet papers and their impact on boreal forest sustainability.

Americans are the world's biggest consumers of toilet paper, averaging more than 100 rolls of toilet paper each per year. The overuse and hoarding of toilet paper at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically impacted forests and essential habitat for migratory birds, especially Canada's boreal forests. Ironically, when the pandemic reduced carbon emissions, changed our behavior, and encouraged us to incorporate sustainable products into our way of life, we kept flushing away bird habitats.

Stretching from Alaska to Labrador, the boreal forest is a critical breeding ground for billions of birds. It is also the source for bleached softwood kraft pulp used for tissue products. Home to one-quarter of the world's remaining untouched forest, it stores almost twice as much carbon as tropical forests. Every year, 26 million tons of carbon emissions are absorbed by these forests.

"Each fall, 3-5 billion birds representing 325 species emerge out of the boreal forest headed for their wintering grounds, ranging from the United States all the way down to the southern tip of South America," according to Borealbirds.org. Boreal birds include Yellow-Rumped Warblers, White-Crowned Sparrows, Rusty Blackbirds, and Ruby-Crowned Kinglets. BorealBirds.Org continues:

80% of North American waterfowl, 63% of finches, and 53% of warbler species breed in the boreal.
For nearly 100 species, 50+% of their entire breeding populations occur in the boreal.
For 35 species, 80+% of their entire breeding populations occur in the boreal.

NRDC reports one million acres of boreal forests are cleared every year to make toilet paper. This insatiable demand, on average 100 pounds of toilet paper for a family of four, has created the tree-to-toilet pipeline where trees are converted into a pulp, then toilet paper, and then flushed.

See Infographic: The Tree to Toilet Paper Pipeline

What can you do?

Buy toilet paper that is 100% recycled or renewable materials. NRDC’s new ratings recommend brands: 365, Ever Spring, Green Forest, Greenwise, Marcal, Natural Value, Seventh Generation, Trader Joe's and Who Gives a Crap. Stay away from products marketed as ‘Super Soft’.

Bamboo, sugar cane, and wheat straw are fast-growing alternatives to old trees, and shredded office paper and old newspapers are upcoming options. Bonus: These innovations require less water and energy to produce. Even a mix of recycled and alternative fibers could contribute significantly to sustainability. Brands like Charmin, Cottonelle, Kirkland, Scott and Soft and Strong, by contrast, get an 'F' on the NRDC scorecard. New York Magazine has also rated bidet attachments to add to toilets and eliminate the need for toilet paper.

As U.S. consumers, we can drive tissue companies to preserve forests and habitat. It's more important than ever to find ways to push companies to adopt climate-friendly processes.