Which is greener: bidets or toilet paper?

Hmm interesting, that isn't something I'd even considered.  It seems pretty clear that bidets are greener than toilet paper.  You're not cutting down trees or using bleach, and the total amount of water used for each is probably similar.  Very interesting indeed.

Apparently Google headquarters uses bidet toilets.

hmmmm how much extra water would it take if everyone used a bidet, though?  i'm guessing not nearly as much as it takes to produce all that toilet paper, but it's certainly a thought. plus, if people used non-bleached paper, it'd definitely relieve of some of that chlorine use!

Well according to the numbers above, it takes 13 gallons of water to make one roll of toilet paper.  According to Charmin, the average person uses 8.6 sheets of toilet paper per visit.  Let's say the average toilet paper roll has 500 sheets, so in each trip you're using 1.75% of the roll, or about 0.22 gallons of water.  Nearly a quarter of a gallon.

Seems to me like a bidet would use less water than that.  It's true that non-bleached paper would reduce the amount of chlorine, but most people don't use non-bleached paper.

BAM that's some quality quick math. Nice work Dana.

Hehe thanks.  I like quick and dirty back-of-the-envelope calculations.

Dana - I love that calculation!

I've been thinking about getting a bidet-seat - a friend has one and it works great.

Thanks.  I ordered one a while back - darn company lost my order in their spam folder, but I'm finally supposed to be getting it on Monday, at which point I'll review it here (assuming they add a bidet section to Huddler - hint, hint).

Haha thanks stins.  I added the one that I'll be getting.

Now you just need to add a section for my clothes drying rack and I'll be all set ;-)

Just as an update, I measured that my bidet uses about one-quarter the water it takes to make the equivalent amount of toilet paper.  Works pretty well, too.

I have used Green Bidet and i truly belive it is better than toilet paper thats for sure

www.greenexportimport.com

To renew an old topic:

In Turkey just about all (if not all) toilets come with what is referred to as "the Turkish pipe". Simply an additional water connection in the backside of the toilet rim - just under the lid - with a directional nozzle and valve.

Very little cost to the producer and works perfect. If you want it could be connected to hot & cold though that would waste a bit more water.

Unlike a bidet it doesn't take up an extra space in the bathroom.

Don't know why companies in other countries don't pick up on it.     

My bidet (biobidet bb-50) is just like that, and can be attached to any toilet.  So they're certainly available, but just not popular in the US.  People have just gotten used to not having bidets here, but now that I've gotten one, I much prefer it.

Here are a couple of photos of one model of toilet with the 'Turkish pipe'. There is one valve beside the toilet to turn the spray on-off. Could be warm water if you want though that would waste more water.

Fifteen seconds consumes about 1/2 liter of water - say one pint for all practical purposes. 

Yeah similar setup to my bidet.

Right Dana - my point is that the unit is built in at practically no cost in the ceramic bowl - no reason it can't be picked up on by other manufacturers. 

Yeah for most Americans it's just a weird concept because we never use bidets.  Manufacturers could add them, but there's no demand for it here.

 A hand held bidet sprayer is so much better than a stand alone bidet and this is why:1. It's less expensive (potentially allot less) 2. You can install in yourself = no plumber expense 3. It works better by providing more control of where the water spray goes and a greater volume of water flow. 4. It requires no electricity and there are few things that can go wrong with it. 5. It doesn't take up any more space, many bathrooms don't have room for a stand alone bidet. 6. You don’t have to get up and move from the toilet to the bidet which can be rather awkward at times to say the least.

I have seen the stand alone type around the world - in many countries and even fancy hotels they are common.

I just prefer the toilet (not bidet) with the built in spray - it is even more cost effective.

In the master bath in our new house there are both for that matter - the bidet has other uses than just washing the backside my wife tells me. Other baths have only the 'Turkish pipe". 

I have the Miracle Toilet Faucet.  Same as the bidets mentioned above - no electricity needed, sprays where it's needed.  It can attach to any toilet and is even more descrete.  You can save even more water by putting a brick in your toilet tank, but still be efficient by using an MTF.  You don't need as much water in the tank if you don't have to flush away a bunch of toilet paper.  Great, solid product.