Paper Towels and Napkins versus Cloth November 26, 2008

What’s better, paper towels and napkins versus cloth?

Paper napkins and paper towels are ever-present in American kitchens. But many of us would rather not use all that paper — which does come from trees, after all. According to the EPA, the U.S. generated 3,430,000 tons of tissues and paper towels to the municipal waste stream in 2006, none of which is recyclable. That’s a lot of trees turned into a lot of garbage.

At home

While I am concerned about the environment, I also want to be hygienic. Any alternatives to paper better be sanitary. For example, using cloth napkins at home is just as safe as using paper products. Depending on whether the meal (or I) was particularly messy, I will use the same napkin for more than one meal. More sanitary than the sponge full of germs on your kitchen counter and because it’s dry (bacteria need moisture to grow), I’m not concerned. The rest of the story:

• Use a dishtowel in the kitchen and change it when necessary.
• For big spills, use cleaning rags cut from old bath towels, hand towels or washcloths.
• Carry a cloth napkin in your purse for those times when you need a napkin or to dry your hands in a public restroom because the paper towel dispenser is empty. Cheap Like Me gets the credit for this idea!
• Buy gently used cotton kitchen towels at thrift stores, garage sales or flea markets and keep them folded on the counter for your family to use rather than paper towels.

In public:

At restrooms you may have two choices: paper towels or a hand dryer. Which one should you use?

• Claims and counterclaims exist asserting that paper towels are more hygienic than hand dryers and vice versa. Certainly paper towels create waste with residual bacteria that must be handled by a janitor or custodian.
• From an environmental standpoint, paper towels obviously produce substantial paper waste, but hand dryers use significant electricity. According to a Slate article: “The bottom line is that hand dryers will be the greener choice in about 95 percent of circumstances. If the choice is between using a tiny corner of recycled towel versus a 2,400-watt dryer, then the Lantern can see how the towel will win. But dryers get the nod in most other scenarios, particularly if the dryer is rated at less than 1,600 watts. (Check the specs plate on the side if you’re really curious.)”
• Hand dryers in restrooms don’t win any popularity contests. The biggest complaint is that it takes two or three times longer to use them than paper towels. Take heart, there is a new generation of high-speed hand dryers that may turn the tide such as the Mitsubishi Jet Towel or the Dyson Airblade which will dry your hands in 10 instead of the usual 45 seconds.

Options

• 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.

Get more tips from Green Spirited: What to Choose? Paper or Cloth

Minimize waste – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

• Use recycled cloth napkins and towels at home.
• If you use paper towels, tear them in half to use less or at least use the “pick-a-size” towels that allow you to tear off a smaller size.
• In restrooms, use the hand dryer. If that’s not an option use one paper towel instead of two.
• Choose recycled paper towels and napkins such as Seventh Generation Natural and Whole Foods’ 365 Everyday Value brands.
• Compost paper towels and paper napkins.

The good news is that there are plenty of options these days to reduce this paper waste.

Resources:

• A Greener Restroom
• Electric Hand Dryers vs. Paper Towels
• Green Spirited: What to Choose? Paper or Cloth

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