The amount of paper towels being produced and discarded is incredibly damaging to the environment, not only due to the resources and energy used in manufacturing but also for the fact that these items are rarely recycled.
Since paper towels are often heavily treated with chemicals like bleach, they aren't safe to be recycled like other paper products – despite this being more economical than producing new paper towels. This means that much of the millions of pounds of paper towel waste produced every year ends up in landfills or washed into our oceans.
This has serious consequences for marine life as well as contributes to climate change and ocean acidification. In short, our throwaway culture is having an increasingly dangerous effect on our planet, particularly when it comes to single-use items such as paper towels.
Why Consider Switching to Paper Towel Alternatives?
Paper towels have become a staple in the modern household. Unfortunately, they are also one of the most damaging products we can use. Not only do they contribute to deforestation due to their need for wood pulp, but it also takes a lot of water and bleach to manufacture them.
Plus, paper towels are disposable and meant to be thrown away after one use, resulting in an unsustainable cycle that's bad for our environment. The shipping involved in getting these paper towels to us is also an environmental hazard due to all the energy used and pollutants released into the atmosphere. All these factors combined make paper towels a major contributor to climate change.
Alternatives
The good news is that plenty of eco-friendly alternatives can help lessen our impact on the earth and save us money in the long run. Investing in some of these options can significantly reduce our need for paper products and help keep our planet healthy for future generations.
The Original 100% Biodegradable Reusable Paper Towels
The Original 100% Biodegradable Reusable Paper Towels are an innovative, eco-friendly way to tackle messes in and around the home. With a history dating back more than 70 years, these paper towels have gained a reputation as a top-shelf product worthy of even the most discerning customers.
Not only are they much thicker than regular paper towels, able to absorb up to 20 times their weight, but they also come in three distinct colors for different purposes - blue for all-purpose cleaning, yellow for zero waste kitchen activities, and green for tub 'n tile work.
Plus, they're easy to wash - just put them in the washing machine or the top rack of your dishwasher up to 300 times!
Tree-Free Paper Towels
Caboo tree-free household paper products provide a more sustainable alternative to traditional paper towels. These paper towels are made from renewable bamboo and sugarcane, two materials that are eco-friendly and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and ISO 14001 Certified.
While the paper towels themselves do come wrapped in plastic, they are still far better than purchasing paper towels made from trees in plastic packaging. Not only is this a more sustainable option, it is also gentler on the environment as it does not require cutting down trees or using other resources to make more single-use items.
Additionally, these reusable bamboo paper towels can be used multiple times before needing to be replaced, saving time, money, and energy in the long run.
Cheeks Ahoy Handmade
Cheeks Ahoy provides an excellent solution to the global sustainability problem. Their eco-friendly paper towel alternatives are made from environmentally friendly fabrics and are twice as absorbent as traditional paper towels, making them a much better option for cleaning up messes.
These double-ply towels can be used on-the-go or at home, making them perfect for travel as well. They are also great for streak-free cleaning, drying dishes, and small spills, while being gentle on kids' hands.
Made with love in Peterborough, Ontario, Cheeks Ahoy's products provide a convenient and responsible way to keep your home clean without sacrificing quality or adding extra waste to our planet.
Marley’s Monsters
Marley's Monsters' selection of reusable sponges, toilet paper, and towels are unbeatable! Not only do they have a variety of sizes, colors and patterns, but their products are designed to be functional and durable making them perfect for cleaning up messes from food or other dirt and grime.
The paper towels in particular, are incredibly absorbent and stick together well when rolled up. For those who prefer a more sustainable option, the company even offers a cardboard roll option that can easily be recycled after use. With Marley's Monsters' extensive range of reusable items, you can feel confident knowing that your household waste has been significantly reduced.
Swedish Dishcloths
Swedish dishcloths are an incredibly resourceful and sustainable paper towel alternative that have been around since 1949 when Swedish engineer Curt Lindquist first invented them. Unlike paper towels, which usually only last a single use and need to be disposed of afterward, these cloths are designed to replace up to 17 rolls of paper towels, meaning you can keep using them over and over again for months.
Made from a blend of plant-based cellulose and sustainable cotton, Swedish dishcloths boast amazing absorbency qualities, far exceeding those of regular paper towels. Plus, when their life cycle does come to an end, this eco-friendly option can simply be composted as it is completely biodegradable.
Therefore if you're looking for an eco-friendly solution that will help reduce waste while getting the job done even better than traditional paper towels – Swedish dishcloths should definitely be your go-to choice!
