Who Gives A Crap · Paper Napkins & Paper Towels
Who Gives A Crap 100% Recycled 2 Ply Kitchen Roll
Lower concern, uncoated recycled paper kitchen roll carries minimal PFAS risk.
Who Gives A Crap's kitchen roll is 100% recycled paper with no disclosed water-resistant or grease-resistant treatment, meaning no typical PFAS application reason. The brand makes no PFAS claims, but the plain-paper material itself is a lower-risk category.
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100% recycled paper fiber, no water-resistant coating disclosed
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
food packaging is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This product is 100% recycled paper fiber with no water-resistant or grease-resistant coating disclosed. Uncoated recycled paper avoids the fluorochemical treatments (PFAS compounds) common in premium kitchen roll designed to repel liquids. The absence of a plastic or synthetic barrier means no leaching of polymeric additives into food contact scenarios, though recycled fiber can occasionally contain trace contaminants from previous paper lifecycle use.
The brand's record and disclosure
Who Gives A Crap has built a brand identity around sustainability and transparency, emphasizing 100% recycled content as core messaging. However, the brand has not publicly disclosed detailed chemical testing results, certification audits (FSC, ISO 14001), or specific manufacturing contamination controls for this product. No recalls or safety controversies linked to this kitchen roll appear in public records. The brand's overall stance on chemical safety testing remains largely silent relative to competitors.
How it compares in its category
Standard kitchen roll often includes wet-strength resins (commonly formaldehyde-based) and/or PFAS water-resistance coatings to enhance durability and absorption. This product's uncoated recycled approach sits at the lower end of chemical treatment intensity. It trades some functional performance (wet-strength and barrier properties) for reduced chemical load, making it comparable to basic recycled paper towels rather than premium moisture-resistant variants.
If you buy it
Store in a dry environment to prevent mildew or mold growth, which can be more likely with untreated recycled paper. The uncoated nature means it will soften and tear more readily when wet compared to coated alternatives, so plan for slightly higher usage per task. No special disposal or heat concerns apply. Replace if visible mold, discoloration, or odor develops, indicating microbial colonization of the recycled fiber.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Formaldehyde-releasing resins (wet-strength agents)
No wet-strength resin coating is disclosed on this product, so formaldehyde risk from manufacturing additives is not evident. Recycled fiber itself is not a known formaldehyde source if processing does not involve adhesive re-bonding.
Microbial contamination or mold growth in untreated recycled fiber
Uncoated recycled paper lacks antimicrobial barriers and moisture-repellent coatings, making it slightly more hospitable to mold or bacterial colonization in damp storage conditions. This is a storage and use-environment issue rather than inherent product chemical contamination.
Heavy metals or persistent contaminants from recycled feedstock
Recycled paper can theoretically carry trace lead, cadmium, or ink residues from source material. No testing disclosure from Who Gives A Crap is publicly available to rule this out, though food-contact recycled paper is subject to FDA oversight in the US.
Bleach residues or chlorine byproducts
The product does not disclose bleaching method (chlorine-based vs. oxygen-based). Recycled paper commonly undergoes de-inking and bleaching; if chlorine-based processes are used, trace dioxins or chlorinated organic compounds could remain. Brand does not specify.
Fragrance or odor additives
No scent or fragrance additives are listed or mentioned for this product, reducing risk of skin sensitization or inhalation irritation common in perfumed paper towels.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 78% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Paper Napkins & Paper Towels
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Lower-concern choice; unbleached/chlorine-free virgin pulp napkins carry minimal inherent PFAS risk.
⚠Risky category by default
Bamboo
Grove Co. Tree-Free Napkins
Bamboo fiber, tree-free pulp
Lower concern: bamboo napkins lack grease-resistance features that trigger PFAS use; Grove Co.
⚠Risky category by default
Seventh Generation
100% Recycled Napkins 1-Ply
100% recycled paper (virgin fiber-free)
Lower-concern choice; plain paper napkins rarely require PFAS treatments.
⚠Risky category by default
More paper napkins & paper towels grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.