10 replies to this topic

[Shortpoet-GTD]

We make hundreds, probably thousands of decisions (choices) every day. The choices
we make regarding toilet paper (and if you still use them-paper towels) make a
huge difference.

"Not all tissue and paper towels are made from responsible sources.
The toilet paper on your grocery store shelves may have a direct impact on the
400 Sumatran tigers left in the wild.

Paseo is the fastest-growing brand of toilet paper in the United States today. Livi, another brand, is used by hotels, restaurants and schools. Both are made from fiber supplied by Asia Pulp & Paper (APP), a company causing rain forest destruction in Sumatra.

Since 1985, more than half of Sumatra’s natural forests—an area greater in size than the state of Virginia—have been lost as forests are converted to pulp plantations for tissue and paper.

Of this, APP and its affiliates have pulped more than 5 million acres of natural forests in Sumatra, land that is essential to the survival of tigers and other species.

A new report by WWF identifies the 20 biggest U.S. grocery chains that were believed to be
the top 20 buyers that carried Paseo products in 2011.
Learn more about which companies took action and committed to stop sourcing Paseo, and which companies did not respond or continue to source Paseo."

http://www.worldwild...oiletpaper.html

[Sandra Piddock]

This story just highlights that everything we buy and use has an impact somewhere in the world. Tigers and toilet paper is not an obvious connection, so it's good to have this explained in a no-nonsense way that puts forward the facts. Thanks for this information.

I have seen Paseo in Spain, but i've never bought it, simply because it didn't look like a quality product. We are careful how much toilet paper we use, simply because we try not to waste anything.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

Luckily, there are lower impact paper products out there that are harvested sustainably.

[MakingCents]

At least there are responsible companies out there that produce products we can use.  Any research out there about the 'name brand' products and which one's are the most environmentally friendly?  I'm all for buying green but sometimes you have no choice so in that sense it would be nice to know of all the other companies which one's are the most eco-friendly.

[mariaandrea]

Wow. I've never even heard of or seen those brands in my local stores. Just as well. I buy Seventh Generation which is only a little bit more expensive than the generic brands. Seventh Generation:

Quote

• 100% recycled paper
  
• Minimum 50% post-consumer recycled paper
  
• Whitened without chemicals containing chlorine
  
• No added dyes and fragrances
  

[jasserEnv]

This issue has also been brought up by Green Peace. They had TV ads a few years back showing people dragging or carrying a log around to represent the amount of wood needed for the toilet paper products they use. That was the first time I had heard of the impact of paper products. Since then, I have been very careful about paper usage as I have noticed a number of stores selling products from countries that don't have easily replenished forests.

One other product to consider in terms of its environmental effects is palm oil. This stuff is highly saturated fat so is bad for people, but is also a highly destructive product to produce. You'll find it in many types of margarine and "shortening" for cooking. Both Malaysia and Indonesia have deforested large areas to produce this product. I found this out in the mid 90's when I toured a plantation in Malaysia. Since then when I have flown over Malaysia, I have noticed the vast areas of perfectly aligned palm trees taking up so much of what was rain forest. I have written to more than a dozen companies using palm oil to tell them I don't like their use of the product.

[Green Thumb]

We could minimize the use of toilet papers by washing instead of wiping; wipes when we’re outside our place and wash when we’re in our comfort zone or using washable towelettes after wash instead of toilet tissues. This is just what’s more popular in some countries so I thought this could work with the others. As for the paper brand, this is a helpful deduction to wise buyers’ lists so thanks for the info.

[fancyfingers]

I was relieved to read the toilet paper I buy is from a store that sells alternatives! Every bit helps, plus, when you have family and friends over, you can talk them into switching toilet paper since they use it at your home, they know how it works. Same with other products. Once they try it, let them know it is an alternative to what they are using now.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

fancyfingers, on 15 February 2012 - 05:31 PM, said:

I was relieved to read the toilet paper I buy is from a store that sells alternatives! Every bit helps, plus, when you have family and friends over, you can talk them into switching toilet paper since they use it at your home, they know how it works. Same with other products. Once they try it, let them know it is an alternative to what they are using now.

Exactly. Prodding, poking, suggesting, teasing-whatever works.

[inTHEsane]

Well my vote is and always will be going back to hemp paper. Not to mention the hundreds of products and resources we could get from the plant, it lasts the longest. So all the paper we use to reprint or save copies of things that are becoming warn would be massively less. All the tres that take 4O yrs to grow will live and continue to provide oxygen, while 4 acres of hemp provide the same amount of paper in 6 months, and can be grown again and again.

Recycled paper is the way to go with what we have now, but stopping new paper producting and replacing it with what works the best and has worked the best sicne Illad and The Odyssey, is the best route for us. Although if anyone knows what made it illegal in the first place you can see why the world's government, money makers, and decision makers can't afford to battle for what is right.

[rbaker_59]

Commonsense tells us that everyone needs a job to live and survive. The companies need to make money to produce the jobs for people.  But, it is nice to know that more and more companies are striving for more sustainability.  It would be even nicer if more of the other companies would follow suit.  Personally, I strive to buy the sustainable products as much as I can.  I believe by doing so, companies become more aware of consumers wanting the sustainable products and start to strive more in that direction.