I have a great job. Sometimes I get sent huge boxes of organic fruit to review. Some days I get to sit by the pool and work remotely. And sometimes I get sent free ... toilet paper.Yep, toilet paper. I know there are some extreme greens who don't use it anymore, but my family still does, and I don't see that changing any time soon. A few year ago we used both toilet paper made from unrecycled materials and what we called grown up wipes - the Cottenelle wet wipe stuff. But we realized it was not good for the earth and got rid of the grown up wipes and switched to toilet paper made of recycled materials (as opposed to recycled toilet paper - ew!)
I was sent a box of Marcal Small Steps recycled paper products to review - toilet paper, paper towels, tissues and napkins. According to the Small Steps website, Marcal has been making its paper products from recycled paper, not from trees.
I didn't know that. I also didn't know that Marcal is located right here in New Jersey and "uses recyclables from more than 600 municipalities from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and New England. The company is one of the largest employers in New Jersey, employing over 900 people." Hey, my kids homework papers could end up as our toilet paper.
The products are made from 100% premium recycled paper. They are whitened without chlorine bleach and contain no dye or fragrance.
We've used the toilet paper. It's not soft and thick, but I don't care. It's toilet paper. We've always used the larger 1000 sheet type rolls anyway because they cost less and last longer. I saw no difference between the Marcal Small Steps toilet paper and any other 1000 sheet roll I've ever used.
The tissues are similar - not soft and thick, but they get the job done. Same with the paper towels.
I've actually used the napkins before. We had a large cook out, and I bought them. They work just like any other disposable paper napkin.
We do regularly use disposable paper toilet paper and tissues. We do not regularly use disposable paper towels or napkins. I use rags and cloth napkins in my day to day life. But, once in a while, I buy paper napkins - usually when I'm having a large crowd. I also buy paper towels and keep them under the sink to clean up stuff you really just want to throw out - like the cat's fur balls. I'd say I go through three rolls of paper towels a year.
Whatever paper products I'm using, whether I'm using them regularly or once in a blue moon, I buy them made from recycled paper. The Marcal Small Steps are a great option when I do because they work well, and they aren't priced out of my budget like some other paper products made from recycled materials.
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2 comments:
Does the Marcal toilet paper come wrapped in plastic or paper? I haven't seen them sold on the west coast or at Whole Foods. The only paper wrapped in paper is Scott and it's thin and scratchy - and not made from recyclable paper. I would love to switch to this one!
The toilet paper I was sent was an individual roll wrapped in paper. I've seen it in the stores though with several unwrapped rolls wrapped in one plastic wrapper.
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