I don’t even have to explain the cultural shift in attitude towards toilet paper that begin in 2020 — we’ll all forever wince when we see a half-empty shelf of TP in the store. Should we get more just in case?

When the shelves at my local grocery store were looking particularly empty back during the pandemic lockdowns, I decided to give myself the gift of assurance by signing up for a toilet paper subscription. I have to admit, no longer worrying about using up the last square right before bed when all the stores were closed became a new luxury to me, since I had regular deliveries of TP straight to my door. So now that I have experience with a competitor’s toilet paper subscription, I was excited to try out Who Gives A Crap to compare! Their cheeky branding has always caught my eye, so I wanted to see if the brand was actually worth…well, giving a crap about.

Who Gives A Crap Toilet Paper on a shelf with a hand reaching for two paper wrapped toilet paper rolls


But(t) first, here’s what Who Gives A Crap is about

According to the World Health Organization, two billion people do not have basic sanitation facilities, like toilets. So Who Gives A Crap was founded with the mission to be the “toilet paper that helps build toilets” — and has the paper trail to prove it. 🧻😜

So as a certified B Corp, Who Gives A Crap operates on an impact-based business model where people and planet are prioritized alongside profit. The company donates 50 percent of sales revenue to sanitation programs around the world to help improve the health and hygiene of the communities they serve. As there is no single solution for every community, it’s especially important to Who Gives A Crap that the organizations are local, innovative, and sustainable so they can give locale-specific support. Who Gives A Crap documents exactly how and where the profits head through impact updates on the “Talking Crap” blog.

In addition to the brand’s sanitation initiatives, Who Gives A Crap also offers carbon-neutral shipping, plastic-free products, and both recycled and bamboo toilet paper options that use significantly fewer resources than conventional TP. Every roll is manufactured in China with only BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative) certified partners independently audited and scored on a range of ethical business practices.

The recycled toilet paper costs $38 for 24 rolls or $62 for 48 rolls. The premium bamboo toilet paper, which I tried, costs $44 for 24 rolls or $68 for 48 rolls. While it seems pricier than bottom-shelf brands, Who Gives A Crap rolls are double-length (most brands measure cost per roll instead of sheet, so their rolls end up being much shorter). Ultimately, the cost per sheet works out to be on par with supermarket brands — if not more affordable. These prices get lower if you decide on a subscription, too, and you can pick the interval of time that works best for you. A win-win!

“The cost per sheet works out to be on par with other household brands — if not more affordable. These prices get even lower if you get a subscription.”

Plus, first-time customers can use code code TWENTYMORE to save 20% off your first subscription order through February 14th, 2024.

That’s all great, you say, but how does the toilet paper subscription actually work?!


My review of Who Gives A Crap

For this review I ordered the premium bamboo sheets because they sounded fancy, and they were made from the same material as the previous brand I had used. When my first Who Gives A Crap box arrived, I wondered if my partner and I could ever get through it, even on a strict diet of Chipotle (sorry I had to say it). For the record, I ordered 48 rolls to arrive every 16 weeks, and was very surprised at how large of a box arrived on my doorstep.

But it was sweetly self-aware. The box touted a precious poem that made me wonder—is my…is my toilet paper flirting with me?

“Roses are red
This box is gigantic
But it has a nice poem
Isn’t that romantic?”

When I opened it, I was happy to see that my expectations for no plastic were met. So many booty-ful rolls laid out before me like gold doubloons in a treasure chest. I particularly loved the design on the paper, which made the TP pretty enough to set out in my bathroom. (There’s even one roll that is gold so you can designate that roll as the last one — a reminder to order more!)

On testing the actual product itself, I can confidently say that it is, indeed, toilet paper. It meets all the basic functionalities, yes, but it’s also sturdy, soft, and the rolls last much longer than I’m used to with grocery store brands.

Since there are no dyes or spa-like softener, it’s not lotiony-soft, but it is healthier for you and for the environment than the TPs that aim to pamper. (I grew up using the cheap stuff, so this was a considerable upgrade from flimsy Kroger brand sheets.) The sheets leave no residue or flaky bits either — a particular grossness that so many of us know but don’t like to talk about. Not so much of an issue with this tough bamboo toilet paper!

And, maybe I’m just extra aware of these sensory things, but I liked that one side of the TP was smoother, while the other featured little bumps that added some texture for confident cleaning power.

I also tested out the brand’s “oh crap, I’m almost out of toilet paper” re-ordering function, and was pleased to receive my shipment in less than five days. There were options to ship ASAP, as well as delay shipments in two-week increments (which I would probably take full advantage of at this point, since I’m still not through the first box and the second one just arrived). You can even select a specific delivery date! That reassured me that I wouldn’t be caught, shall we say, up Schitt’s Creek without a (paper) paddle.

How did it compare to the competing eco-friendly toilet paper subscription I’ve used in the past, though?

While Who Gives A Crap does offer smaller quantities, I am a forever bargain shopper and wanted to test out the most affordable option available. I found that their smaller quantity shipment (24 rolls) was more expensive than their competitor. However, there *are* more sheets per roll, and I found Who Gives A Crap’s bamboo toilet paper to be sturdier than the other brand’s bamboo TP. Pairing a Who Gives A Crap subscription with a bidet would be a great budget-friendly way to maximize your sustainable spending!

“Who Gives A Crap toilet paper isn’t as soft as some more chemically treated TPs, but it’s still a significant step up from generic options. The sheets leave no residue or flaky bits either, and there’s a textured side for confident cleaning power.”

The quantity is truly my only complaint — and it has more to do with the storage space I have available in my small Los Angeles apartment. Since 48 rolls is a lot of toilet paper, I’ve taken to sliding the spares under my desk and, as I type this, am using one box as a standing desk.

The paper wrapping was a tad heavier than the other plastic-free brand I’ve tried, and I ultimately felt a little wasteful tossing it — craft time, anyone? But the packaging is stunning, and I only wish I could specify whether I wanted monochrome or colorful wrapping for my toilet paper of choice. (Bamboo comes in monochrome, while the recycled toilet paper comes in multicolor paper wrapping). Either way, it looks and feels way better than the thick plastic sheets the usual store brand rolls come packaged in. It’s a huge relief to not wrangle with that plastic film anymore.


The bottom line — Who Gives A Crap is worth it

Ultimately, I’ve enjoyed my experience with Who Gives A Crap. The toilet paper is sturdy, sustainable, and beautiful. You’ll need a little extra storage space for the bulk orders, but it’s manageable and would be very excellent for someone with larger space and/or a family.

I’ve even strangely enjoyed the newsletters I’ve received from the brand since subscribing (so much toilet humor, hah). It makes me excited about expanding my subscription into ordering tissues and paper towels from Who Gives A Crap as well (because not every mess can be cleaned with a reusable, although Who Gives A Crap offers those too!).

Who Gives A Crap is a convenient brand that does good and has a good sense of humor while doing it. Wishing happy wiping to all, and to all a clean bum!

Use code TWENTYMORE to save 20% off your first subscription order through February 14th, 2024.

Smiling woman and child unpack toilet paper from a Who Gives A Crap cardboard box

This sponsored review is brought to you by our friends at Who Gives A Crap.

Emily McGowan is the Editorial Director at The Good Trade. She studied Creative Writing and Business at Indiana University, and has over ten years of experience as a writer and editor in sustainability and lifestyle spaces. Since 2017, she’s been discovering and reviewing the top sustainable home, fashion, beauty, and wellness products so readers can make their most informed decisions. Her editorial work has been recognized by major publications like The New York Times and BBC Worklife. You can usually find her in her colorful Los Angeles apartment journaling, caring for her rabbits and cat, or gaming. Say hi on Instagram!