Paper Towels - Effect on the Environment

Paper towels seem like a brilliant invention. What's more convenient than disposable towels that you don't have to clean or use again? Just buy new ones and throw the old one away. What we may not think about when using paper towels are the extreme waste that they create, and what their effects on the environment truly are.

Paper towels were first invented as a way for medical facilities to prevent the spread of germs. In the beginning, these disposable products weren't as popular as they are today, but that changed fast. Paper towels soon were used in households all over America, and the waste started piling up.

The Effects of Paper Towels

Paper towels, like any paper product, are made from trees. That means every time you use a disposable towel, you're using the inside of a tree to wipe down your counters and surfaces. In your lifetime, you'll probably use thousands and thousands of rolls, which will is the equivalent of an entire forest. Imagine a local forest that you've walked through being completely cut down just for paper towels!

It's Not Just Trees That Are Being Consumed for Paper Towels

Paper towels use a whole lot more resources than just trees. First, the trees have to be grown to make the product. These might be grown on a farm, or more likely, they're just cut down. This requires heavy machinery which uses fuel, and man power to get the job done. Those trees must then be transported to a facility to be cleaned and processed. The process will use more resources like oil, and especially water.

Next, the product will be transported to a packaging facility. From there, they will make their way to a warehouse to be distributed, then to the grocery store, then to your home. Imagine the amount of fuel used to transport these trees! This means the less disposable towels and paper products you use, the less trees will be cut down.

Paper Towels in Landfills

Landfills are filled with disposable paper products like diapers, napkins, printer paper, notebooks, tissues, and paper towels. There is no way to recycle or reuse disposable many disposable paper products like sanitary napkins and diapers (not to mention it isn't sanitary!). What happens to these paper products? Eventually, paper products biodegrade. The amount of time that paper towels take to biodegrade varies, but typically it is about one year. The thicker the towel, the longer it will take to break down into the environment. Perhaps the biggest problem is that the paper isn't the only thing in paper products, and also that we are using paper towels faster than they can biodegrade into the environment. We're using our resources faster than we can replace them, and the waste is piling up even faster.

Chemicals in Paper Towels

Paper towels aren't exactly just trees. To increase absorbency, they've been subjected to dioxins and other ingredients (the process isn't disclosed on the roll of paper towels). They are also bleached to give them their white color. The dangers of chlorine bleach have been well documented. Infants and toddlers are especially vulnerable to the effects of chlorine bleach. To reduce their exposure to these chemicals, limit the use of paper plate and towel usage. Instead, use regular plates, cloth napkins, and products that can be washed and reused.

Why We Need Trees

Trees give us oxygen, and filter our air. Since the Industrial Age, the world has been producing emissions that have been polluting our atmosphere. Trees are one of our only hopes to help clean the air, and we're cutting them down much faster than we can keep up with replacing them. Trees also help to filter ground soil and water, and provide much needed shade for our homes. Wildlife also depend on trees for their existence. Overuse of trees will result in the extinction of some species, will trickle up to the human species in one way or another. As we face the unwelcome prospect of climate change, it's essential that we keep as many trees as we can to help reduce emissions and to filter the air that we breathe. The United States is the biggest user of disposable paper products, using 50% more than Europe and 500% more than Latin America. Despite the awareness of disposable paper product consumption, consumption continues to increase, which makes it even more important to spread the word about going reusable.

Packaging Waste

Like most every other product created today, disposable products are wrapped in an outer shell of plastic, increasing their overall wastefulness. The outer wrapper has no use other than to contain the product. After opening the product, it's thrown away. It cannot be recycled. These thin plastics take thousands of years to photodegrade into the environment. Unlike biodegradable items, this means it will never truly disappear, just become smaller and smaller, and eventually work its way into our waterways and drinking water.

How to Decrease Consumption

To decrease your use of paper towels, try using a reusable towel instead. Wring out the towel and rinse it off as needed, washing the cloth in the washing machine when necessary. You'll be amazed at how fewer times you'll be taking out your trash simply by going reusable. It's a great feeling to have a lighter trash load! If you live in a town that charges per bag of trash, that's another potential savings for you. For apartment complexes and condos, this could mean stable fees and rents due to the stability of the cost of dumpsters and dumper rentals. In other words, the savings could pass to you.

The Cost Savings of Going Reusable

Going reusable isn't just great for the environment, it's great for your wallet. The cost savings quickly add up. The average cost of a package of paper towels is well over $1 per roll. A typical family probably uses a couple of rolls per week, maybe 3-5 even. This can really add up! That's around $3-5 per week, and many trees per week, too. It's hard to justify cutting down a few trees per week just to wipe down your counters, isn't it? By going reusable, you'll immediately realize the cost savings. As opposed to the disposable variety, reusables can be used again and again. The other benefit of going reusable is that you won't have to lug around the towels in the grocery store. They take up a lot of room in the grocery cart and the store! Reusables take up a fraction of the space and can be stored right underneath your kitchen sink.

Reducing your consumption of disposable paper towels is a great way to help the environment and to reduce your trash load. Today, many reusable options exist as alternatives that are just as good, if not better. Make the switch to reusable paper towels today and realize the cost savings and reduce your impact on the environment! Read more about the wood based, chlorine free, biodegradable, and reusable paper towels on my website:

Purchase paperless paper towels here and see for yourself the difference. This tiny investment will pay itself back in just weeks!

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Paper Towels - 3,000 Tons of Landfill Waste Each Day

With over 90% of US households taking advantage of the convenience of paper towels we produce over 3,000 tons of waste each day. Is this problem insurmountable? No - if each home simply replaced one roll of their traditional paper towels with paper towels made from recycled paper, we could avoid wasting 3.4 million cubic feet of landfill space and prevent 864,000 trees from being cut down.

The Benefits of Recycled Paper Towels

By using recycled paper towels we are doing much more than just reducing landfill waste. According to Ideal Bite, "For every ton of 100% recycled paper that is bought, about 4000kWh of energy and 7,000 gallons of water are saved. It also avoids releasing 60 lbs of pollutants into the air."

Reducing Paper Towel Waste

Even using recycled paper towels people tend to have wasteful habits. What can you do to graciously help remind people to reduce their paper towel consumption? You can participate in campaigns against consumer paper waste. It is these very wasteful habits that motivate projects like "These Come From Trees."

"Remember... These Come From Trees"

According to the "These Come From Trees" blog they are an "experiment in environmentalism, viral marketing, and user interface design with the goal of reducing consumer waste paper!" What exactly is this "experiment?" Using low cost vinyl stickers and guerilla marketing tactics the ad-hoc "The Come From Trees" team spread the message of reducing consumer paper waste. Here is a breakdown of their strategy:

People just like you affix vinyl "Remember... These Come From Trees" stickers to public area paper towel dispensers.

That's it. To quote the These Come From Trees Blog, it really is amazing "how the right message at the right time can make the difference." Since each sticker includes a URL for people to visit (http://www.thesecomefromtrees.com/) they help promote public awareness to this growing issue.

How Effective Are Projects Like This?

According to testing completed by the These Come From Trees team, their awareness stickers can reduce paper towel consumption by up to 15%, they continue, stating each sticker can save about 100 lbs of paper a year which is the equivalent to one tree. When you consider that the average coffee shop uses around 1000 lbs of paper towels and the average fast food restaurant with two restrooms can use up to 2000 lbs a year, 15% can add up to a lot of savings.

What about Reusable Replacements for Paper Towels?

Even though paper towels are commonplace they are not the only solution, products made of cotton or linen can be washed and reused many times over. In some cases sponges which offer a longer product lifetime, can handle the work you may normally relegate to a paper towel.

Choosing the Best Option for the Situation

While you can easily control your options at home and guerilla projects like "Remember... These Come From Trees" remind people to reduce their usage in public areas, it's important to always understand the best option for each situation you find yourself in - environmentally speaking.

If you are drying your hands and have the choice between an electric hand dryer and paper towels, what is the best choice for the environment? While electric hand dryers have the environmental cost of the electricity used to power them, in terms of overall energy costs, solid waste, maintenance and janitorial costs, electric hand dryers are more efficient than paper towels. While electric hand dryers are continually improved by manufacturers and continue to get more energy efficient, the paper towel has, for all intents and purposes, reached it's plateau.

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

While you are constantly bombarded by the three R's, "Reduce, Reuse and Recycle," this is yet another case where the three R's offer society the best solution. By reducing our paper towel usage, we can prevent more trees from being cut down and prevent the emissions created by the manufacturing of new paper. By moving towards more reusable options such as washable cloth, we can stop the cycle of waste completely. By purchasing recycling paper products and recycling our paper products at the end of their lives we can conserve our valuable natural resources and reduce emissions.

Convenience items such as paper towels began as a luxury, became commonplace and now are subject to mass abuse. Who pays the cost for this abuse? The environment. By making smarter choices we can reduce the paper waste we contribute to and recycle our existing paper products. With an ever growing population and a static land size we are faced with the sobering prospect of running out of our precious natural resources. Do you part by remembering to conserve what and where you can.

Sam Greyhawk is an energy efficiency evangelist working with Cool-N-Save(tm), an Energy Star Partner, based in Huntington Beach, California.

Cool-N-Save(tm) is an amazing new energy efficiency add-on for air conditioners and aircon units. It can be installed in only 10 minutes with no tools required. In the hottest summer months, your air conditioner can be responsible for up to 90% of your electric bill each month. Cool-N-Save(tm), an air conditioner mister, has been scientifically proven by Tulane University to improve air conditioner efficiency by up to 30% - which translates into real monthly savings for you. Saving energy helps fight global warming and Cool-N-Save(tm) is a cost effective way to reduce your energy use.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Toilet Paper & Paper Towels - Why People Buy These Paper Products & Dispensers

Research has shown that the use of toilet paper and paper towels in restrooms is the best option for good personal hygiene. Today, there are more choices than ever before when it comes to restroom paper products and dispensers. This article lists ten key factors with supporting rationale for the choices people make when buying toilet paper and paper towels.

1) Environmentally friendly - Purchasing paper products made from post-consumer recycled material is becoming a very popular choice.

Buying recycled products is the best option considering the extreme alternative is either the complete deforestation of the world's forest or the complete ban on toilet paper and paper towels favored by environmentalist.
Studies show that the use of recycled paper towels versus warm air dryers can actually reduces the bacteria left on hands by up to 254 percent while still saving our forest.
2) Availability - Universal dispensers for either folded or rolled paper products may be the better choice.

Many manufacturers sell proprietary dispensers with special features. Once installed, these proprietary dispensers force the facility to buy only the manufacturer's paper products.
Paper products and dispensers that are designed to universal standards for size and application can avoid the potential shortages when a proprietary product changes, goes out of production or has unexpected supply chain shortages.
3) Waste - The following product choices can cause increased waste.

Folded towels generate more waste than roll towels because users tend to grab more than needed and rarely unfold them to maximize use.
Toilet paper that is less expensive (narrow, small sheet size, single ply) often forces greater use than necessary per application.
Single roll toilet dispensers can result in waste when partially used rolls are discarded during routine service.
4) Quality - Because of the low profit margins in this industry, the old saying "you get what you pay for" is very true.

Users care about toilet tissue more than all other janitorial products in a facility. They often complain about paper products which are too thin or too rough.
Lower quality paper products and dispensers can send the wrong message about the facility to the ultimate users/customers.
Poor quality paper tends to lead to over use. People use more of the product to compensate for the poor quality, which leads to more waste.
5) Quantity - The most popular restroom paper product is the jumbo roll.

The last thing people want is to find themselves in a restroom without toilet paper.
Running out of toilet paper is also a concern for janitor. Too little can mean an angry customer creating a real mess.
The use of jumbo rolls reduces the time spent changing paper, allowing the janitor more time to do other restroom clean-up task.
6) Cost - Both product cost and maintenance cost can lead to the final choice of the paper products and dispensers to be used.

The possibilities for waste described earlier in this article must be factored into overall cost.
Folded towels (single-fold, center-fold, or multi-fold) are more portable than rolled towels. Some people may take these folded products for use at home, adding cost for the organization paying for them.
Single roll toilet paper dispenser often requires an extra roll of paper to be left in the room. The extra paper roll can become a free gift to some users willing to take it for their own personal use.
The janitorial labor to fill folded towel dispensers is often greater than the labor to fill roll towel dispensers.
Retrofit cost to change the dispensers for an entire facility can be very costly.
7) Traffic - The frequency of restroom use is an obvious consideration.

Private offices with limited users can be treated more like a home bathroom.
Public facilities serving all users that may pass through the area should have a duty cycle study done to aid the final choice of paper products and dispensers.
8) Volume - In addition to the traffic consideration above, the potential number of users at the same time and the desire to avoid lines must be considered.

Public restrooms near sporting events, theaters, train stations, etc where large volumes of users may often enter at the same time should be capable of handling the peak volumes.
While time delays on paper dispensers make sense for reducing paper waste, these time delays may not make the best sense at peak volumes.
Dual roll and/or jumbo roll toilet paper dispensers can help to prevent running out of paper during a single event.
9) Sanitation - The hands-free paper towel dispenser is quickly becoming a standard for many facilities.

Hands-free (also called touch-free) paper towel dispensers, both automatic and semi-automatic (operated by forearm contact), have been on the market for quite some time. High maintenance cost is the only thing preventing hands-free dispenser application from expanding more rapidly.
Caution should be taken not to move too fast in converting to hands-free dispensers. Many facilities have made the switch only to find they had to spend the extra cost to switch back for other reasons.
Hands-free paper towel dispensers often come with a time delay to prevent waste. However, if a user must stand and wait for another towel, they are likely to walk away with wet hands. Wet hands spread 1000 times more bacteria than dry hands.
10) Aesthetic concerns - When trying to satisfy the many choices, the typical buyer sometimes weighs aesthetics (size, shape, appearance) of the paper products and dispensers disproportionally.

The function of restroom paper products and dispensers should always take precedence over aesthetics.
The usage of coreless roll products is an example where both the function (quantity) and aesthetics (size) factor are often satisfied at the same time.

This article was written by Dale Leanhardt, Vice President, Donson Supply, Inc. Donson Supply provides various restroom paper products and dispensers for sale over the Internet.

Donson Supply has been in business since 1981 from Westland / Plymouth communities in the Detroit Metro area. Paper products and dispensers from Donson Supply can be located on the Internet at http://www.donson.net/c/paper-products-dispensers, by phone at (877) 427 4112 / (734) 737 0739 or by FAX at (734) 416 0920.

Many brands of toilet paper sold by Donson Supply can be found at http://www.donson.net/c/Paper-Products-Dispensers-Bathroom-Tissue.

Donson Supply products ship from over 60 locations across the 48 contiguous states (USA).

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.