#053 The Dirty Details of Paper Towels

As Americans, we use more paper towels than any country in the world. In fact, in 2017 we spent $5.7 billion on paper towels.  But, we do this as simply a matter of convenience.  But this is a habit that is enormously detrimental to the environment. . 

Every day over 3,000 tons of paper towel waste is produced in the US alone. But you see to make one ton of paper towels requires 17 trees and 20,000 gallons of fresh water. So, every day we are throwing away 51,000 trees and essentially wasting 60 million gallons of fresh water.  So that amounts to well over 18 millions trees per year and 21.9 billion gallons of water. And remember that is only in the United States. 

But if you look at the condition of things on a global scale, you must know that approximately 80% of the worlds virgin forest have now been destroyed or irreparably degraded. All for the purpose of providing timber, wood and paper products, and  clearing for agriculture. 

If you can change one single habit for the sake of sustainability, giving up disposable paper products, and in particular, paper towels is a fantastic step in the right direction.  

Listen to this full episode and learn about some very environmentally friendly alternative to wasting trees.  

Always live sustainably because this is how we build a better future.  

Patrick