The Battle Over Plush Toilet Paper

washingtonpost.com:

Plush U.S. toilet paper is usually made by chopping down and grinding up trees that were decades or even a century old. They want Americans, like Europeans, to wipe with tissue made from recycled paper goods.

Read the whole story: washingtonpost.com

Comments

[ResidualSelfImage]

In New England we have an excess of trees available for all uses.
OLD GROWTH is a deceiving phrase.
In Maine the huge excess of hardwood trees must be dealt with.

Hardwood pellets;

Home heating: Otten bets Mainers will warm to wood pellets ...
Former ski resort owner Les Otten thinks Maine Energy Systems can provide an alternative to oil. ... to replicate the convenience of oil heat with a solid fuel. ...
pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=186520&ac=PHnws

[invirginia]

On Seinfeld, Elaine only needed one square. And she was a narcissist.

[invirginia]

Of course people want the super soft stuff -- THAT'S WHAT MARKETED TO THEM!

If these companies started marketing eco-friendly stuff and produced a more environmentally responsible product (and STOPPED making ever-fluffier tp), then that's what people would buy. Like in Europe.

[KIVPossum]

Actually the recycled, heavier stuff does a better job.

[David Zaber]

Although 5% of logging for toilet paper doesn't seem like much, it pays to remember that this is only an average. There are many areas where the majority of logging is done to supply the paper and engineered fiber industries.

In Wisconsin's cut-over Chequamegon Nicolet National Forest, the majority of logs cut from this unique tract of public land are used for paper products or engineered "wood" products, not for lumber products as the logging industry likes to claim. And with automation in the field and the mill, one operator can do the job that required a half-dozen loggers did historically.

So, for all of the good people who don't get up north, rest assured because you visit the Great Northwoods every time you .... um .... use the facilities, so to speak, if you will.

[sabelmouse]

i have been using recycled for decates. it's plenty soft enough unless you have piles.

[invirginia]

I love that u used the phrase "piles."

[sheaintsayin]

Would love to do everything just right, but cannot see changing my habits on this; water - I conserve, power - I take the heat, recycle/reuse - I do, repurpose - always, bathroom tissue - soft, 2-ply, always.

[rf-hawaii]

Stop wasting paper and use the three shells.

[poomplet]

Great, obscure reference!!

Me love Demolition Man long time!

[poster1122]

How's this for taking a stab at closing the circle entirely?

http://www.sheeppoopaper.com/

:-)

[DiogenesOfAlaska]

"Should I contribute to clear-cutting and deforestation because the big [marketing] machine has told me that softness is important?"

----

How about a cap-and-trade approach?

:-)

[Ventoi]

As long as we can stop wiping hers with our toilet paper.

[Trittydi]

When I can buy the recycled TPs with more than four rolls to a package AND the price comes down - I'll consider recycled paper.

We simply cannot afford to pay MORE for all the environmentally friendly stuff. And I don't buy that it's cheaper to cut down and process a whole tree's worth of paper than it is to recycle an equal amount.

But it doesn't matter. We will buy what we can afford.
*

[way2muchsense]

Aldi had a pretty good deal on the recycled paper (also better for septic systems) last time I bought it.

[jws2346]

Holy crap (no pun intended) what a serious topic to think about while sitting on the stool

[BunnyFooFoo]

Thick, fluffy paper is ridiculous. If mfgrs stopped making it people would adjust. Just keep it on a roll please. I stuff the leftover tubes with hay for chew toys for my pet rabbits.

In a public restroom in Moscow I had to use pre-cut squares of manila folders that they supplied as bathroom tissue. This was not easy but it was the only choice.

[Trittydi]

The two (and THREE!) ply papers are outrageous. We sometimes end up with a package by accident - the single ply rolls do last much longer.

Fluffy?

What will they do when climate change results in vast swaths of dying forests and the resources become unavailable because of prices?

If Americans haven't given up their beautiful and perfect green lawns by then - they can always use the grass clippings.

*

[way2muchsense]

Also note that the fluffy paper runs out quicker. Sure, four rolls of recycled single-ply costs more than four rolls of the multi-ply fluffy stuff, but it lasts longer; at least it does for us. At WORST, it's a wash on price.

[invirginia]

I have often wanted to use a manila folder at work for the very same purpose. But for different reasons.

[kamachanda]

You don't have to make paper out of trees. Paper can be made out of flax and cotton. It can be made out of rice straw and hemp.

I say start making toilet paper out of hemp, it grows like a weed is renewable.

Besides the television commercials would be awesome.

[emmeaki]

"It grows like a weed"

No pun intended, I take it.

[way2muchsense]

When I can afford to wipe my backside with premium writing stationery, I'll still use recycled single-ply TP because it works better.

[Paul108]

A small jug of water works better than paper. If fact, if you don't use water, you're not clean.

[invirginia]

Good point!