Greenpeace
DCL
Just in time for winter's cold and flu season, the environmental organization Greenpeace just released its Recycled Tissue and Toilet Paper Guide ranking various brands of facial tissue, paper towel, toilet paper and napkins.
Looking for these three major marks of green goodness: 100 percent overall recycled content, a minimum of 50 percent post-consumer recycled content and zero-use of chlorine bleach or other toxic chlorine compounds, the guide separates the more sustainable paper products apart from their less than admirable counterparts.
So who scored high and who ranked low?
Green Forest, 365 and Seventh Generation all made the eco-conscious cut. While brands like Kleenex, Target and Charmin can be spotted in the red zone. If you're already a well seasoned eco-consumer, these results may seem a bit obvious but there's something in the guide for you, too, as it also delves into the sticky, gray area of greenwashing.
The guide helps to decipher who's really walking the green talk and who's merely skimming by. For example, Marcal Small Steps' paper towel and napkins rank well, but they "could do better" with the amount of recycled content in their facial tissue.
If you're hesitant to clutter up your already bulky wallet, this guide is worth it. Greenpeace Forest Campaigner Lindsey Allen sums up its importance here:
"Tissue products that are made from recycled content help to reduce our impact on ancient forests, protecting forest ecosystems and wildlife. By using our guide and voting with their dollars, shoppers can help save Endangered Forests."
Seems easy enough.
Though I'm a devoted follower of Seventh Generation everything it's not always available. By stowing Greenpeace's pocket guide away snuggly between my Monterey Bay Sustainable Fish Guide and Sushi Guide now I'll know which eco-paper alternatives are best.
Download yours at www.greenpeace.org/tissueguide.
