I usually plan out my posts in advance...but as I have said before...sometimes I see something that inspires me to change my orignial plan. This time it was my trip to the grocery store Monday night. As I walked in the main door I was confronted by an overwhelming display...of toilet paper. Stacks and stacks of pristine, white rolls of toilet paper. I didn't even notice the sale price...I had to avert my eyes...it was too much to take in.
When I think about one small step that someone can take in their daily living, that will have a major positive impact on the environment, making the toilet paper switch is one. What is so wrong with purchasing toilet paper that is made from "virgin fibres"? What are virgin fibres? Virgin fibres refers to the new fibre used to make toilet paper, and other paper products. Virgin fibre is used in the vast majority of paper products. Kimberly-Clark, the largest producers of paper products, claims that public demand is what drives them to use virgin fibres over recycled fibres. Here are the stats...
According to Seventh Generation (producer of environmentally conscious household products)
* 1 million trees would be saved if every US household replaced one 250 count pack of virgin fibre napkins with 100% recycled ones
* 544,000 trees would be saved by replacing a 70 sheet roll of virgin fibre paper towels
* 424,000 trees would be spared by replacing a 500 sheet roll of virgin fibre toilet paper
So, what do you think...worth the switch? Recycled toilet paper is made either from post consumer paper (which could be any kind of paper) or from paper waste that didn't make it to consumers yet. Never fear, the paper is thoroughly processed to make the toilet paper that makes it to the store.
Here's the problem, there are not very many options for those of us looking for recycled fibre. My local grocery store used to stock a store brand..but in recent months they have not. I have sent an email asking where the product has gone...haven't heard back yet. The company Cascades is actually a local company that uses recycled fibres. However, their products are not carried at some major grocery stores. So, looking down the the aisle at the grocery store, their was one option on Monday night...Cashmere's Enviro-Care. This product is relatively new. Cashmere Enviro-Care is made from 100% recycled fibres...a viable option.
When I got to the cash, the cashier looked at me puzzled. She made certain I knew I had not picked up the toilet paper that was on sale. I assured her that I had made the right choice. Sometimes a few cents isn't worth that much.
Speaking of switching, here is my follow-up...
1. I switched toothpaste...now trying Tom's of Maine Spearmint. I'm okay with the level of cleanliness, and my husband and I do find it minty enough.
2. I switched deodorant...now trying Green Beaver Citrus Deodorant. Seems to be working, haven't put it to the test, since we have had unseasonable cool weather. We'll see how it goes when the warmer weather hits.
3. Next week we are planning on doing our "week without meat", our Earth Day commitment. I'm looking for suggestions...recipes, websites, cookbooks, whatever you can offer to help our family enjoy our meatless week ahead. Thanks.
Veronica Slater presents says
Ok, so I must admit almost having an anxiety attack yesterday when I saw the title of the post... OMG, there's no way we can live without TP!!! How badly are we messing up now??! First the tooth paste, then the deodorant, then the ziploc bags, now the TP?? JENNN!!! LOL, you are educating me so I appreciate that but change is sometimes hard! Turns out, we've been doing something right all along, we've been using Cascades for a year or so now (not without some complaints in the prima donna department but I like it, plus the rolls last much longer than the average brand!). It's true that it can't be found everywhere but Costco has it, so the mega bag seems to last us forever (and that's saying a lot for a family of 6!) So... keep the posts coming Jen! You do a fantastic job!
Twilight Taggers says
Meatless dishes... I can help you there, seeing as I'm a vego. 🙂 I told you I hate cooking but I make a mean Tomato & Chickpea soup, and a vegie curry - both dishes that kids will love.