Step #10 - Saving the planet, one napkin at a time

This weekend I had the opportunity to enjoy a long weekend with my family. Yesterday, we went to a place where they make these fabulous sandwiches. Since it has very limited seating we sat down next to the napkin dispenser. I was just amazed and kind of disappointed at the same time, by the number of napkins people pull from these dispensers. 4, 5 even 10 napkins (I am also guilty as I used to do the same). There was this lady who grabbed 7 napkins, 5 of them she used to hold her carton cup with soup. And the issue is that people usually gets these 5, 6 or 10 napkins and end up using them a fraction of all of them at the same time or using 1 or 2 and throwing the rest to the garbage. Then I saw what was printed on the napkin and it sounded like a joke.

picture from my phone

Anyway, I just kept thinking about the napkins and then I remembered that every time I wash my hands in a public place, they also have these paper towels, and we (I include myself) pull 3, 4 or more of these towels, use a fraction of them and throw them away. Think about the last time (not early morning) when you saw an empty restroom garbage basket. As far as I remember they are all overflowing of paper towels, partially used. What a waste!!

There are many problems with paper towels and napkins.

• According to the EPA, the U.S. generated more than 3 million tons of tissues and paper towels to the municipal waste stream in 2006, none of which is recyclable.
• They not only produce a lot of garbage, but they are also made out of trees. And while recycled paper has many applications nowadays, it has not gained widespread acceptance as a base material for napkins.
• Paper pulp is not naturally white. Napkin paper becomes pure and white because it is treated with bleach, which contains chlorine. The EPA states that chlorine can affect the reproductive and respiratory systems and in combination with other substances it could be carcinogenic and can also cause reproductive, developmental and immune-system damage
• Paper industry is also the 3 largest industrial source of global warming gases.

Here are some things you can do:

• At home always use fabric napkins and towels.
• At a public place grab the least amount of napkins or paper towels you think you might need. Usually 1 napkin per person works.
• In restrooms go to the hand dryer when there is one
• Buy recycled napkins and towels (if you definitely need to use paper) and avoid folded napkins as it is easy to use many of them.

According to care2.com here are the options we have as it pertains to towels and napkins:

• Worst: Virgin fiber, chlorine bleached
• Better: 100% recycled, chlorine free – look for post consumer recycled whenever possible
• Even better: Organic cotton cloth. Use cold water to wash them. Even better if you line dry.
• Best: Recycled cotton cloth. Find used napkins and dishtowels at thrift stores, garage sales or flea markets..

Sources

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/greenestpaper-towels-and-napkins.html?page=3

http://www.ehow.com/about_6615392_paper-napkins-bad-environment_.html#ixzz1wIzzmrhA
http://verdavivo.wordpress.com/2008/11/26/paper-towels-and-napkins-versus-cloth/