Hey everyone,
If you’ve ever wandered down the paper goods aisle, you’ve probably seen those “eco-friendly kitchen rolls” staring back at you. They sound perfect for cutting waste, right? But here’s the thing I get asked all the time when people reach out to our team: “Wait, do your Eco Kitchen Rolls have plastic in them?” As a supplier of these rolls for years now, I’ve dug into this question so many times I could probably ramble about it for hours (and trust me, I have, at trade shows and over coffee with customers). Let’s break this down like we’re chatting—no stuffy jargon, just the real tea on what’s in those rolls you’re using to wipe up spaghetti sauce or line your counter.
First off, let’s get one thing straight: not all “eco” paper products are created equal. I’ve seen brands slap the word “eco” on stuff that’s still loaded with plastic, and that’s where a lot of confusion comes in. When we started designing our Eco Kitchen Roll, we made a promise to ourselves (and our customers) that we wouldn’t cut corners on sustainability—so plastic components were basically on our “no-go” list from day one. But let’s get specific, because “no plastic” can mean different things to different people.
Wait, what parts of a kitchen roll even have plastic, anyway? Most people picture the paper part, but think about it: there’s the thin wrapper it comes in, the core inside the roll, maybe the little label on the end, even the way the paper is bonded together if it’s extra strong. Let’s go through each part, because that’s where the plastic hides (if it’s there at all).
The wrapper is a big one. A ton of paper product brands use thin plastic film to wrap their rolls to keep them dry and fresh. But our Eco Kitchen Roll? We use 100% recycled paper wrapping, no plastic here. You can actually compost that wrapper (or recycle it with regular paper) after you open the roll—no special steps needed, which is way easier than dealing with plastic film. I’ve had customers tell me they just toss the wrapper straight into their home compost bin, and that’s totally fine. No weird separations, no guesswork.
Then there’s the core inside the roll. So many people assume all paper roll cores are cardboard, and most are— but some cheaper brands use cores with a thin plastic liner to make them sturdier. We tested a bunch of core options early on, and went with uncoated 100% recycled cardboard cores. They’re just as strong as plastic-lined ones, trust me—you don’t have to worry about the roll collapsing mid-wipe when you’re mopping up a spill. And when you’re done with the roll? The core goes right in your recycling bin, no extra steps. If you’re into DIY projects, you can even save them for kid’s crafts or storing cords—win-win.
What about the paper itself? A lot of “eco” papers use plastic microfibers to make them extra absorbent or durable. But our kitchen roll is made from pure, uncoated recycled paper pulp—no additives, no plastic fibers. It’s tough enough to scrub a burnt pot (I’ve tested this myself, no, it doesn’t fall apart) but gentle enough to wipe down fruit. Some customers think if it’s “thick” it must have plastic, but that’s just good pulping—we don’t need plastic to make it work.
Wait, let’s address a common myth: some people say “all paper products have plastic because they’re treated to be water-resistant.” But that’s not true! We wanted our Eco Kitchen Roll to be durable, not reliant on plastic. We use a natural starch-based treatment (yeah, like the stuff in your pantry!) to give it water resistance when we need it—perfect for wiping up spills without the roll turning into a soggy mess. No petroleum-based plastic here, just simple, plant-based stuff. That’s a big win for us, because it’s still compostable.
I know what you’re thinking: “Is this too good to be true?” We get that all the time. So let’s talk about how we test every step, because we don’t just say we’re plastic-free—we prove it. We send every batch of rolls to a third-party lab to check for plastic components, microplastics, and any harmful additives. The labs have confirmed that our Eco Kitchen Roll has zero plastic in any part: wrapper, core, paper, the whole shebang.
For context, we also make other eco paper products, just to show we’re consistent. Our Eco Loo Roll is the same way—no plastic cores, no plastic wrappers, 100% compostable. And if you’re into facial tissues, our Cloud-Soft Facial Tissues are also plastic-free, super soft, and made from the same recycled pulp as our kitchen rolls. For those of you who use wet wipes, we’ve got the EDI Purified Water Wet Wipes too—those are plastic-free as well, using plant-based fibers instead of polyester or plastic. It’s all part of our whole line-up of products that don’t sneak plastic into your home.
But wait, let’s not pretend there’s zero confusion in the industry. Some brands call their products “plastic-free” but only mean the paper part, not the wrapper. Others say “compostable” but have a plastic core that won’t break down in a home compost bin. That’s why we’re so open about our process—we don’t want people to second-guess what they’re buying. If you ever want to check the nitty-gritty, our website has a full breakdown of every material we use for the Eco Kitchen Roll, right here: /tissue/eco-kitchen-roll.html. No hidden fine print, no confusing terms.
I also want to talk about why this matters beyond just the product itself. Plastic in paper products doesn’t just get tossed—when you throw away a paper roll with a plastic core or wrapper, those plastic pieces can break down into microplastics. Those microplastics end up in our soil, our water, even the air we breathe. For people trying to live more sustainably, that’s the last thing you want. So when we skip plastic in our rolls, we’re not just making a better product—we’re keeping that plastic out of the environment.
I’ve had customers email us saying they switched from a big box brand’s kitchen rolls because they noticed a weird plastic taste when they used the roll to cover a bowl of food (yes, that’s a real thing). Or they’d pull the wrapper off and see that thin plastic film, which they hate having to separate from the paper. That’s why our approach works—no weird surprises.
Now, let’s be real: no product is perfect. There’s always room to improve. We’re always testing new, even more sustainable materials, like wrappers made from seed paper that you can plant and grow flowers. But for now, our Eco Kitchen Roll is 100% plastic-free, which is a huge step for us and our customers.
If you’re a restaurant owner, a cafe manager, or a grocery store buyer looking to stock eco-friendly paper products that actually deliver on their promises, we’d love to chat. We’ve got bulk pricing options, sample kits if you want to test the rolls yourself, and we can work with you to fit your needs. Just reach out to our team to talk procurement—we’re happy to answer any more questions you have, whether it’s about plastic components, composting, or anything else.
I think the takeaway here is simple: when it comes to eco kitchen rolls, not all are created equal. Don’t just take a brand’s word for it—dig a little, check the materials, and ask for proof. For our part, we’re proud that our Eco Kitchen Roll has zero plastic, and that’s something we’ll never cut corners on.
Thanks for sticking with me through this long chat. If you have any other questions about our products, feel free to reach out. Let’s keep making sustainable choices easy for everyone.
References
- EPA. (2022). Plastic Pollution: Challenges and Opportunities. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
- Sustainable Packaging Coalition. (2021). Eco-Labeling Guidelines for Paper and Paper-Based Products.
- Tissue Paper Association. (2023). Best Practices for Sustainable Paper Product Manufacturing.
- European Bioplastics. (2022). Starch-Based Additives in Paper Products: Safety and Environmental Impact.
- Composting Council. (2023). Home Compostability Standards for Paper Products.
