A video posted by a TikToker highlighting affordable alternatives to paper towels has been viewed more than 400,000 times. When you realize how much paper towels are thrown away every year, it’s easy to see why this video has gotten so much attention.
In 2017, Americans purchased nearly half of the world’s paper towel sales, resulting in 3.8 million tons of paper towels being sent to landfills.
On the one hand, this means an alarming amount of unnecessary waste. But it also presents the problem as a cultural one, meaning that people can make a positive impact through simple lifestyle changes.
This viral tip from Brennan Kai (@brennan.kai) is a great starting point.
“Sometimes people ask me why I haven’t needed tissues for the past five years – here’s my answer,” she captioned her video. “Our grandparents too.”
“I haven’t bought paper towels in five years,” she said. “Use any rag or towel, or even cut out a T-shirt if you don’t want to buy anything new.”
She also highlights alternatives to reusable paper towels and her personal favorite: Swedish dishcloths, which are biodegradable and dishwasher safe. Like other rags and rags, they are tossed into a box and thrown into the washing machine to be used again and again.
Another said: “It’s crazy how something so simple can transform people so easily. Highly recommended.”
Not only are these paper towel alternatives easy to integrate, but if you have old fabrics or shirts, they can cost as little as zero dollars and cents.
Their benefits go beyond simply throwing dirty paper towels into the landfill. As paper products decompose, methane gas is produced, which pollutes the air, accelerating the overheating of the planet.
If you’re concerned that reusable wipes and tissues may spread germs (or cross-contamination), be sure to clean them frequently.
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Post time: May-31-2024