Single-use paper towels are killing our environment and breaking your bank.
Every year the average family uses 1.5 to 2 rolls of paper towels in a week [1], which is between 78 to 104 rolls of paper towels in a year. So let’s do the math, 12 rolls in a pack for $10 or 24 rolls for $20 for Solimo Basics. For the average family that would mean you’d have to purchase six 24 packs, which would be $144 a year!
Have an endless wallet and don’t mind spending $144 dollars a year? Well did you know that every year 13 billion tons of single-use paper towels end up in the landfill each year [2]? So in the two-weeks, it takes a paper towel to decompose [3], it also causes the issue of ‘producing methane gas which is 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide‘ [2]. As you know carbon dioxide is one of the main contributor to global warming [4].
With all the carbon dioxide in the air, we could use more trees to soak it up. However, all those trees are being cut down to make those paper towels. With 51,000 trees are cut down to support North America’s paper towel habit [5].
This is your chance to help cut the carbon dioxide levels, allow trees to continue living and stop wasting money on single-use items.
Eco-Friendly Alternatives
- Drying Hands – use a reusable cloth towel. In the bathroom try using a hand towel and in the kitchen use a reusable paper towel.
- Napkins – use reusable napkins. They are softer on the face and more absorbent. I have a number of IKEA Dish Towels that fit perfectly on your lap at meals and give a lot of space to clean up your mess. I also keep a number of little organic napkins for wiping up face and hands at meals/snack time. They also fit perfectly in the lunchbox when you go out.
- Cleaning Up Mess – use reusable cloth wipes. I purchased a number of packs of white washcloths that I wash with my reusable napkins. I also have a pack of Full Circle Tidy Cloth Wipes, these are great for sticky stuck-on messes.
- Also, if you’re looking for a way to clean up your messes try my DIY Multipurpose Cleaner.
My recommendation is to wash your items once a week. I keep a small laundry bin near my kitchen to throw them in after each use.
If you’re not using an eco-friendly washer that senses the water level, only wash when you have a full load. If you don’t have access to a washer, I’d recommend purchasing a Wonder Wash, it is great for small loads and easy to use.
Will you be switching from single-use paper towels?