Friday, March 6, 2009

Go Green, Save Money: The Paper Towel Challenge

Get Green -- Get Real
When I started GreenandFrugalLiving.com, one of my key mantras is that any tips or ideas that I post must be attainable. That said, you won't see me using a toilet composter (yes, they do exist) or giving up my televisions to say money on cable. Doing those things are just not realistic for me or my family.

A friend joked about a recent post (a guest post I might add from Thurs., Feb. 26) about trading in paper towels for t-shirts or rags. I do cringe when I think about the number of paper towels and napkins our family goes through in a day or week. With two young children who are 5 and 2, this task may be difficult. But I'm up for the challenge (my husband begs to differ).

The goal -- stop using paper towels and paper napkins for one week to see if this lifestyle change is doable and sustainable. However, I'm not going out and buying fabric napkins and extra hand towels. (That's not green or cost-effective.) We'll have to use what's on hand. That means digging into our giant rag box. (And I'm not kidding about the giant part. We have a 32-inch TV box full of rags.)

I'll keep you posted on our progress throughout the week. If you're already a convert and have eliminated most paper products, I'd love to hear your story.

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4 comments:

  1. I greatly enjoy your blog. I have given you the Kreativ Blogger award. Please stop by to copy the award. Thanks.

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  2. Beautiful Blog!

    I use old rags whenever possible, instead of paper towels. It may not be as cool, but I hate filling the landfills. Our nearest landfill has become the highest elevation in Ohio.

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  3. This Paper Towel Challenge is a much harder than I thought it would be! I'll be posting an update soon.

    Thanks for letting me know that it is doable!

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  4. This is very doable! It just takes a shift in perspective, and lots of washcloths! I have a 3 year old and 6 month old and we are non-paper-towel users. (I've got one roll that I use to drain bacon; I've had the same roll for years, literally!)

    We do have a BIG stack of readily accessible washcloths that are used to wipe up spills and wipe up kids. I just toss them in with the laundry at the end of the day. Works great!

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