Life gets messy, especially when it comes to cooking, eating, and, well, just living! We all know that feeling, pasta sauce splattering on the stove, a glass of soda tipping over, or a toddler deciding that a brand-new carpet is the perfect place for green broccoli purée. And then there's handwashing - it's important, but it can leave your sink and counter looking like a big mess.
When these happen, we often reach for paper towels. A study by Euromonitor in 2017 showed that the US spent almost half of the world's $12 billion on paper towels! Other reports found that 80% of North Americans use paper towels regularly. It seems like paper towels are a staple in most American homes. However, in other parts of the world, less than half the population uses paper towels regularly.
But what if there was a way to keep your hands clean without using so much paper? There is! Turkish hand towels offer a stylish and sustainable alternative to paper towels. Read on to learn more about why Turkish hand towels are the perfect eco-friendly solution for your kitchen and bathroom.
The Environmental Impact of Paper Towels is Surprisingly Large
Paper towels might seem harmless, but they have a surprisingly big impact on the environment. According to the EPA, in one year alone, over 17 million tons of paper and paperboard ended up in landfills in the US, making up a significant portion of our waste. While this is down from the peak in 1990, it's still a lot of waste.
And even though they're made from paper, paper towels can't be recycled. The process of making paper towels involves breaking down the fibers and adding chemicals like glues, resins, and softeners, making them difficult to recycle. These chemicals, along with inks and bleach, mean that even clean paper towels should go in the trash instead of the recycling bin.
The demand for tissue products like paper towels is also contributing to deforestation. Organizations like the NRDC have reported that millions of acres of forest are being cut down each year to meet the demand for tissue products, including paper towels.
This is a significant environmental cost, especially considering the importance of forests in absorbing carbon dioxide and maintaining biodiversity. We can easily use alternatives like Turkish hand towels to reduce our impact on the environment and help protect our forests.
It's Time to Ditch the Paper Towels! Hand Towels are the Way to Go
It might seem like a simple switch, but it does take a little practice to break the paper towel habit. But trust me, once you do, you'll wonder how you ever lived without a more sustainable alternative. Paper towels are everywhere - crumpled up on counters, tucked in pockets, and taking up unnecessary space. They feel wasteful, and I often find myself wondering what we did before paper towels were invented.
I know that paper towels are a big part of many people's lives, and I used to be one of them! The thought of living without them can feel scary. But there are so many reasons to ditch those paper towels, and as we just discussed it's worth considering the impact they have on the environment.
So, What Can You Do to Ditch Those Paper Towels?
There are actually lots of great alternatives! One of the best options is to switch to Turkish hand towels. Not only are they incredibly absorbent and durable, but they're also super stylish and come in a variety of colors and patterns, adding a touch of personality to your kitchen or bathroom. They’re also very versatile – you can use them for drying your hands, wiping up spills, or even as a small towel for the beach or pool. And because they’re made from high-quality 100% cotton, they’re naturally soft on your skin and more absorbent.
Option 2: For a more traditional approach, you can use old Turkish hand towels - just cut them up into smaller pieces and use them as napkins or cleaning rags. You could also switch to pretty hemp napkins, but be prepared to commit to reusing them.
If you're not quite ready to switch to reusable hand towels or napkins, you can try using recycled paper towels and compost them after use. You can compost at home, or some cities let you compost unbleached paper towels in your green bin. Check with your local waste disposal facility to see if you can compost recycled paper towels with your food scraps.
How Do You Actually Make This Switch?
It's easier than you think! Just keep a stack of two Turkish hand towels right next to the kitchen sink. When you need to dry your hands, wipe the counter, or grab a napkin, reach for a hand towel instead of a paper towel. One hand towel can easily last you all day, so you can reuse it multiple times before washing it.
Once a hand towel gets a bit dirty, just throw it in the laundry with your other towels. Make it easy for everyone in the house to toss the used towels in the laundry basket. The easier it is to wash them, the more likely everyone will get on board with this sustainable swap.
We recommend checking out the Shaka Love bundle offer! A set of two Turkish hand towels for just $30. These towels are large and cover a lot of space, measuring 35”x23”, but they take up only a quarter of the space of traditional bulky towels.
Discover All Shaka Love Hand Towels
Final Thoughts,
It's okay to take things one step at a time when it comes to sustainability. I’m still working on reducing my paper towel use, but I’ve made progress! Instead of using a whole roll of paper towels each week, I now use one every month. That's a big difference!
It took effort to break the habit of reaching for a paper towel every time I needed to dry my hands, wipe down glass, a mirror, the counter, or even my face. I had to ask myself, “Can I use a hand towel or another alternative?” It wasn’t always easy, but it was worth it.
Keep in mind that it's about progress, not perfection. You don't have to be completely zero-waste to make a positive impact. Every effort counts.