Take the Toilet Paper Challenge: “Can You Spare a Square?”
In the 1990’s sitcom, Seinfeld, character Elaine Benes asks this question to her neighbor in a public restroom, and is outraged when her neighbor refuses to share. I was similarly stunned when I recently learned that in the year 2008, the
While recycled toilet paper is less expensive to produce than “Ultra” varieties, according to the New York times, it makes up less than 2% of the
The Keen For Green toilet paper challenge is simple: pledge to make a conscious decision to reduce your toilet paper trail. Do this by first switching to a recycled brand (I love Seventh Generation 100% Recycled Bathroom Tissue – it still has plenty of that quilting and softness we Americans seem to love). Next, decide how many squares you can spare. I have decided to cut the amount of TP I use in each sitting by half, but if for you cutting back by 1-2 squares is a big sacrifice, start there.
So far, my success has been limited – I usually remember my pledge only after pulling off a huge wad (and it doesn’t help that I’m 8 months pregnant and peeing every 7 minutes). But I am slowly seeing my habit change, and am confident that over the course of the next year I can decrease my toilet paper footprint by more than 50%.
Now it’s up to you: Can you spare a square?
Toilet Paper Challenge Resources:
Greenpeace list of approved products: http://tissue.greenpeace.ca/productSearchResults.php?category=1
NY Times Article on TP consumption: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/26/science/earth/26charmin.html?_r=4&hp
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An Issue...
You don't often think about... Great post, very enlightening!
To much paper waste, and to
To much paper waste, and to much trees killed, is an exageration to use this ammount of paper just for have a clean ass, the recicled paper is not than bad, by the health of the eviroment the people must be less exigent with somehing like this.
aumentare il seno
Count Me In
Michelle, If you can make that sort of attempt and lead by example at eight-months pregnant (I hope your child's birth went well at this point and all are healthy), then I can certainly make an attempt at conserving TP as well. I like the title of your post as I'm sure many people are aware of that now famous line from Elaine. Thanks Blane at home whitening | whitening pen
Toilet Paper
It is amazing to think how much paper is wasted for this purpose alone. People often use way more then they need as well. Every little bit you can save helps the planet. http://www.cuttingedgedd.com/services/index.htm
spare a square
Very good article. The numbers are staggering when they are printed right in front of you. Thank you for showing us that we all can make a difference. We are a manufacturer of biodegradable garbage bags & products. Our garbage bags biodegrade within 2 years without producing any toxins into the earth or environment. Come visit us at:http://www.perfgogreen.com/
Thanks for this great article & share of information.
Agree with anonymous. Much
Agree with anonymous. Much cleaner when you wash than just purely using toilet paper and then just dry off with a small-sized towel! I've also seen wet toilet paper that's flushable too if you want to start transitioning with that smaller step to eliminating toilet paper use in your home.
good
i am definately going to take up this challenge
jen x
http://www.firstbathrooms.co.uk
Toilet Paper vs. Bidet Sprayer Challenge
This covers all the bases = saves you money, helps the environment, helps your health, makes you feel better, it's so easy to do and it costs less than $50.00; Save money and the Earth and be clean at the same time! Add Bathroom Bidet Sprayers to all your bathrooms. I think Dr. Oz on Oprah said it best: "if you had pee or poop on your hand, you wouldn't wipe it off with paper, would you? You'd wash it off” Available at http://www.bathroomsprayers.com with these you won't even need toilet paper any more, just a towel to dry off! Don’t worry, you can still leave some out for guests and can even make it the soft stuff without felling guilty. It's cheap and can be installed without a plumber; and runs off the same water line to your toilet. You'll probably pay for it in a few months of toilet paper savings. And after using one of these you won't know how you lasted all those years with wadded up handfuls of toilet paper. As for water use a drought is always a concern and must be dealt with prudently but please remember that in the big picture the industrial water users always far exceed the water use of household users and in the case of toilet paper manufacture it is huge. The pollution and significant power use from that manufacturing process also contributes to global warming so switching to a hand bidet sprayer and lowering your toilet paper use is very green in multiple ways. Blog;http://jeff9.livejournal.com/932.html
Not quite ready...
The bidet is a great alternative - I feel I am not quite ready to make a plunge. I think it's important that people start by making manageable, small changes to their lifestyle. My commitment is to start to reduce my toilet paper use by making small changes... check back in with me in a few years and maybe I'll be ready for the bidet!!
Hand Bidet Sprayers are Superior
Hey you don't need to wait to get a bidet, for under $50.00 you can get a Hand Bidet Sprayer at www.bathroomsprayers.com and install it without a plumber. And it works better than a bidet.
Also, another good source of info...
... is www.goodguide.com. I have done a past blog on it and it really takes in so much information to help make good decisions about our consumption, but they don't yet have toliet paper.