Most Americans tend to show a preference for softer toilet papers. But that fondness for soft paper can have devastating impact on ancient forests, water sources, and wildlife worldwide, according to Greenpeace, which recommends that you buy the greenest paper products available, as covered in "Greenpeace Flushes Toilet Papers That Don't Meet Its Green Criteria."

Now the environmental-advocacy group has developed an application for the iPhone/iPod Touch, Android phones, and phones with Web capability that will allow you to get the information on more than 100 products in its "Recycled Tissue and Toilet Paper Guide" no matter where you are.

Greenpeace hopes that when you're staring at shelves filled with toilet papers, paper towels, napkins, and tissues you'll use the app and skip your usual papers—Americans are pretty loyal to their chosen brands of toilet paper—and buy green products. Greenpeace recommends only papers that are made of 100 percent recycled content and at least 50 percent postconsumer material and bleached without chlorine compounds.

Our recent tests of green toilet papers revealed that eco-friendly products have improved in recent years and come down in price. We also found that green papers disintegrated quickly, important to avoid damaging your plumbing or a septic system, but they proved only mediocre in softness and strength. At 8 cents per 100 sheets, Marcal Small Steps was one of the least expensive tested, recycled or not.

For details on 13 other toilet papers and three wipes, read our May 2009 report (available to subscribers).—Kimberly Janeway | e-mail | Twitter