We Got a B+. And We're Proud of It.
The short version
- NRDC's 2026 Issue with Tissue scorecard gave Betterway Natural Brown bamboo toilet paper and paper towels a B+ (500 out of 600).
- 500 is the highest score a bamboo product can earn under NRDC's rubric.
- Our Classic White bamboo toilet paper and paper towels earned a B (400 out of 600).
Most of us spent school hoping for an A. So it's a little funny how excited we are about a B+.
Every year since 2019, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has published The Issue with Tissue, a scorecard that grades the toilet paper, paper towels and facial tissue sold in the US. The eighth edition came out on September 15, 2026, and it graded 149 products.
Here's how we did:
| Product | Grade | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Brown Bamboo Toilet Paper | B+ | 500 / 600 |
| Natural Brown Bamboo Paper Towels | B+ | 500 / 600 |
| Classic White Bamboo Toilet Paper | B | 400 / 600 |
| Classic White Bamboo Paper Towels | B | 400 / 600 |
That 500 is the most points a bamboo roll can earn on NRDC's scale. In other words, Natural Brown maxed out the bamboo category.
How NRDC grades a roll
The biggest question is what the paper is made from:
- Recycled paper scores highest.
- Bamboo comes next, and it scores more when it's FSC 100% certified. Ours is.
- Virgin forest fiber, meaning trees cut down to make paper, scores lowest.
After that comes whitening. Products that skip whitening, or whiten without any chlorine, earn extra points. New this year, NRDC also checks for human rights risks in each brand's supply chain.
Natural brown vs. white
Same bamboo, same FSC certification. The only difference is whitening.
Our white rolls use ECF (elemental chlorine free) whitening, which has been the US standard since 1998. Natural Brown skips whitening completely. That one step is worth 100 points on NRDC's scale, and it's the whole gap between our B and our B+.
Choosing between the two usually comes down to personal preference, and we think that's how it should be. Our goal has always been to do a little better, not to be perfect. If white bamboo is what works in your home, there's nothing wrong with that.
So why not an A?
We did the best a bamboo roll can do. NRDC sets the rubric, and under that rubric recycled paper is the only fiber that can score higher. Bamboo tops out at 500, and Natural Brown hit it.
We make bamboo paper, so we're proud to have reached the top of what that allows.
Common questions
What grade did Betterway get on NRDC's 2026 scorecard?
Natural Brown bamboo toilet paper and paper towels earned a B+ (500 out of 600). Classic White bamboo toilet paper and paper towels earned a B (400 out of 600).
Is Betterway bamboo FSC certified?
Yes. NRDC's 2026 scorecard lists our bamboo fiber as FSC 100% certified.
Why did Natural Brown score higher than Classic White?
Natural Brown skips whitening entirely, which earns an extra 100 points on NRDC's scale. Classic White uses ECF (elemental chlorine free) whitening. The bamboo and certification are the same.
Read the full report
The full report is free if you want to dig in: The Issue with Tissue, Eighth Edition (PDF)