Toilet paper comes from trees, switch to recycled tissue
Creating an environmentally friendly paper policy in the office goes beyond purchasing recycled copy paper. Manufacturers are following the demands of consumers and businesses switching to recycled tissue products for home and office.
Why Switch to Recycled Toilet Paper?
According to Natural Resources Defense Council, Americans could save 423,900 trees if every household switched a single roll of virgin fiber toilet paper with that of a 100% recycled paper roll. That's a lot of trees folks!
Guidelines for Purchasing Recycled Tissue
Greenpeace recommends buying recycled tissue that is 100% recycled paper with at least 50% post-consumer content. This second percentage accounts for how much of the paper is being reclaimed from actual usage. So, a roll of toilet paper may have been a cardboard box in its former life. Post-consumer content is the portion of paper that has been saved from the landfills.
The Natural Resources Defense Council also recommends that consumers look for tissue products that have been manufactured in safe and environmentally-friendly ways. It is one thing to have recycled toilet paper, but what if the product is contributing to the destruction of the environment? NRDC suggests looking for products that don't use bleaching processes which are very toxic to humans and fish.
Where to Buy Recycled Toilet Paper
CVS now carries their own brand of recycled paper called CVS Earth Essentials which is a 100% recycled toilet paper with 60% post-consumer content. This paper is thin like Scott brand toilet paper. Trader Joe's has a 100% recycled toilet paper with 80% post-consumer content, their paper is much thicker and may take a little getting used to. Whole Foods 365 has a 100% recycled toilet paper with less than 80% post-consumer content. Seventh Generation also has a 100% recycled toilet paper with 80% post-consumer content but the price may deter some consumers from purchasing often.
Helpful guides:
- Natural Resources Defense Council's shopper's guide to tissue products
- Greenpeace's recycled tissue and toilet paper guide
- Discovery Planet Green's 9 green toilet paper tips
Image credit: j m griffin
Comments
I am ALL for recycling, but really....toilet paper? I guess it comes down to this question. "Would you blow your nose with it?"
Absolutely Kona! I keep recycled post-consumer content facial tissues on hand too. It's not like this was tissue previously used as such!
thanks AMY...........
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