Are you using Eco-friendly TP?

My friends, co-workers & family know I co-write “Green Philly Blog” and ask for green advice. While I often can assist, I occasionally don’t even know the answer… (Sorry to expose that fact.)  As Beth & I have mentioned before, the green route isn’t always crystal-clear – especially with green imposters. When I was asked about eco-friendliness of toilet paper, I had to do a little research.

My old roomie & I were meant to be: As one visiting friend pointed out, we were huge fans of 1-ply toilet paper – not always found at mid-20, chick apartments.  However, it turns out this mutual love of 1-ply is quite eco-friendly.

Want to know what to look for in TP purchases?  Experts recommend:

• Contain 100% overall recycled content
• At least 50% post-consumer recycled content
• bleached without toxic chlorine compounds

What brands qualify?   A few ranked high include Atlantic Packaging’s Ambiance, April Soft or Fiesta; Planet Inc’s Green Forest, Whole Foods’ 365 Everyday Value, and Trader Joe’s TP.  Need more?  Here’s a complete list of ranking for eco-friendly TP.

According to this UK Guardian article (hint: read it with a British Accent), “The tenderness of the delicate American buttock is causing more environmental devastation than the country’s love of gas-guzzling cars, fast food or McMansions, according to green campaigners.”  In 2008, there was a 40% rise in sales of luxury brands of toilet paper in the US – And the extra soft, multi-quilted and triple-plys aren’t eco-friendly between cutting down trees & pulp manufacture. More than 98% of toilet paper sold in the US comes from virgin wood, compared to 40% or recycled products from Europe & Latin America.  These so-called ‘luxury’ brands are damaging to the environment – especially since barely 1/3 of paper products in America come from recycled sources.

Posted by Julie