Super-Soft-Fluffy Toilet Paper, Not Good for Forests
Sales of super-soft-fluffy toilet paper are on fire; in 2008 alone, they went up 40 percent in some markets, according to a recent NY Times article.
But, as you can suspect, this preference for the super-soft stuff is very bad news for forests. To make fluffy, soft toilet paper, fibers from live trees, including some from old and virgin forests, must be used, as opposed to recycled materials. According to James Malone of Georgia Pacific, "Recycled fiber cannot do it." According to Dr. Allen Hershkowitz, of the National Resources Defense Council, "No forest of any kind should be used to make toilet paper."
Toilet paper made from recycled paper content is just not making it in the U.S., with products made from 100 percent recycled fibers making up less than 2% of sales. And yes, people in other countries are more willing than us to use toilet paper made from recycled content, paper that might be a little less than super-soft and fluffy. Recycled toilet paper products make up on average 20 percent of the toilet paper market in Europe and Latin America.
Switching to recycled toilet paper remains one, easy thing you can do today that really will make a difference. An easy place to start is with Seventh Generation toilet paper, which is now readily available, even in my very mainstream grocery store. Seventh Generation toilet paper is made with 100% recycled paper, minimum 80% post-consumer content. It is whitened without chlorine, and has no added dyes or fragrances. Whole Foods 365 brand also gets good reviews from environmental groups.
Have you given up the super-soft stuff? What's your favorite brand?
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