Comparative life cycle assessment of bamboo-containing and wood-based hygiene tissue: Implications of fiber sourcing and conversion technologies

This study assesses the environmental impact of producing consumer bath tissue (CBT) using Brazilian bleached eucalyptus kraft (BEK) and Canadian northern bleached softwood kraft (NBSK) market pulps in the United States, in comparison to bamboo-based CBT from China. Additionally, the analysis includes considerations of soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration, and the biogenic global warming potential (GWPbio) based on biomass rotation periods. Results indicate a cradle-to-grave carbon footprint (CF) of 1,824 kg CO 2 eq/air-dry ton (ADt) for US CBT (70% BEK/30% NBSK) using Light Dry Creped (LDC) technology. Substituting BBK for BEK increases CF to 2,041 kg CO 2 eq/ADt, with Chinese CBT at 2,400 kg CO 2 eq/ADt. Using Creped Trough Air Drying (CTAD), CF rises to 2,531 and 2,739 kg CO 2 eq/ADt for BEK-NBSK and BEK-BBK mixtures, respectively. Including SOC factors do not change the overall picture, while the GWPbio factors are highly dependent on the time horizon considered. These results emphasize production technologies’ critical role in tissue sustainability and challenge bamboo’s perceived environmental advantages. • Conversion technology drives the environmental impact of consumer bath tissue. • Bamboo-based tissue shows a higher carbon footprint than wood-based alternatives. • Soil carbon sequestration and biogenic carbon cannot counteract tissue's impacts.