Paper Towel Alternatives:
100% Recycled Paper

Pre-Consumer Recycled Paper

Pre-consumer recycled paper is made from leftovers or by-products of the sawmills and paper plants (wood chips, mill scraps, paper shavings, excess or undesirable product, etc.). The repurposing of this material reduces the amount of wood waste that would otherwise end up in landfills or at burn sites. Using pre-consumer paper therefore decreases greenhouse gas emissions.

Post-Consumer Recycled Paper

Post-consumer recycled paper (PCR) is obtained AFTER products or packaging has been used and discarded by the consumer. It is collected via national recycling programs so it can be re-pulped and shaped back into paper. The U.S. has seen a remarkable increase in the material that is recycled from this category. In 1960, only 15% of all paper and paperboard was recycled from municipal solid waste (MSW); that percentage has increased to 66% within the last 47 years (see footnote).

Costs and Benefits of Recycled Paper

There are a few downsides to recycled paper, the main one being cost. It is often more economical for companies to dump the trash in landfills and source virgin (new) material for their products because the collection, transport, and processing of recycled paper is expensive. However, the environmental benefits of recycling paper can hopefully outweigh this disadvantage.

Overall, recycled paper conserves resources, reduces water and energy consumption, uses fewer harmful chemicals, and provides investment and support for a green cause. As more and more paper is recirculated, the infrastructure can flourish and grow and set us up for a more streamlined and sustainable system for the future.

Best PAPER Towels

Here are the best brands for paper towels that are both low-cost and made from 100% recycled paper. Their price usually stays between 1 to 3 cents per sheet, but it can rise to 6 cents per sheet in some cases.

Seventh Generation offers a 50/50 mix of pre- and post-consumer paper content. They have two types of rolls; one that is whitened with a non-chlorine process, or a brown roll that is unbleached. They do not add any dyes or fragrances. Their recyclable plastic packaging is made from 50% recycled #4 LDPE.

Shop Amazon for Seventh Generation’s bleached and unbleached paper towels.

Marcal products can sometimes be found at Walmart along with Seventh Generation’s brand. Their paper towels are made in the U.S. with no added dyes or fragrances. They have certifications from Green Seal, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Compost Manufacturing Alliance, and North East Recycling Coalition. Their products are packaged in recyclable plastic.

Shop Amazon for Marcal paper towels.

White Cloud’s Green Earth paper towels can also be found at some Walmart locations. These towels are created from 100% post-consumer waste and are certified by the Rainforest Alliance. They are produced in Canada and in the U.S. by Kruger Products, one of the first wood and paper companies in North America to start using recycled content. According to their website, they are also one of North America’s top recyclers of paper and paperboard.

Green Forest is part of Planet, Inc. Their paper towels are at least 90% PCR, whitened with hydrogen peroxide and packaged in recyclable #4 LDPE. The paper core roll is also from 100% recycled content (75% PCR). Their company donates to conservation and environmental groups and has manufacturing policies in place to lower energy use and carbon dioxide emissions.

Recycled paper towels are a cheap, disposable option and are best used sparingly. They may be used for extremely gross jobs that have to go in the trash anyway or for messes that can be composted. If you do not have a way to compost, a reusable paper towel or cloth will be your better option.

In the next post, we will talk about another popular choice of paper towel that has burst into the marketplace.