“About 270,000 trees are effectively flushed down the toilet or end up as garbage around the world [every day].” This means that 270,000 trees are cut down each day to produce toilet paper. In the United States alone, each person uses an average of 141 rolls of toilet paper each year. THAT IS WAY TOO MANY TREES! A better alternative is to use rolls made from 100% recycled paper. That’s way more sustainable because if people used recycled paper, we may reduce the number of trees being cut down. Two examples of sustainably produced toilet paper are: “Seventh Generation 100% Recycled Toilet Paper,” and “Who Gives a Crap?”

But there is also a relatively new kid in town for recyclable, sustainable toilet paper alternatives and that is BAMBOO which could be all the rage in the future. Say what? Yes, bamboo. More people are now acknowledging what is happening to our environment and are looking for sustainable products. So, let’s learn a little more about bamboo toilet paper. First, many people around the world are already using it. It’s sustainable because it is made from a very fast-growing plant growing at the rate of 3 feet per day. Unlike many of the mature trees being cut down in forests that take many years to regrow, bamboo is a “rapidly renewable resource,” which means it can quickly be replanted after it is harvested. Some other major advantages of bamboo toilet paper are that it is more durable, requires fewer resources to produce, IS BIODEGRADABLE,  breaks down easier in pipes, and is usually made without harmful chemicals.  

Small changes like this are what help move us towards more sustainable global consumerism. Check out “Cloud Paper Bamboo Toilet Paper,” and “Reel” for brands of bamboo toilet paper. Although it’s a new product, some of the big retailers like Target and Costco, and on-line retailers like Amazon and Etsy are already selling recycled and bamboo toilet paper. Be the first on your block to incorporate bamboo toilet paper into your household necessities. And no, bamboo toilet is not scratchy!

References:

https://www.thecooldown.com/shop/best-toilet-paper-alternatives/

https://www.thecooldown.com/green-home/is-bamboo-toilet-paper-sustainable-recycled-tp/

https://home.howstuffworks.com/green-living/bamboo-toilet-paper.htm#:~:text=3.-,Bamboo%20TP%20Is%20Safe%20for%20All%20Sewage%20and%20Septic%20Systems,that%20other%20toilet%20papers%20use.

Photo by Toni Cuenca: https://www.pexels.com/photo/bamboo-stick-lot-in-gray-galvanized-buckets-405034/

MAKING CHANGES: Making changes in your daily routine or lifestyles is difficult. Sometimes you have no choice, and you MUST make changes which is easier. But asking people to make changes to reduce carbon emissions or their carbon footprint is a tall order. Quite often I am asked whether I am driving an electric car and have solar panels on my house. I do not. Those items are major expenses. But that doesn’t mean I am doing nothing to reduce my carbon footprint. I am making other changes in my daily routine and developing more environmentally friendly habits. We have already made a few suggestions which you can read about in our prior blogs. Today, I am pointing out a few possible changes that are much less costly than electric cars or solar panels.

Your stove. When the time comes to purchase a first time stove or replace your existing stove, consider an induction stove. They outperform gas stoves and traditional electric ranges. If not, try an electric range instead of a gas stove. Gas stoves emit potentially harmful pollutants into your home that can cause or worsen respiratory illnesses. “The most common pollutants from gas stoves are nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide and formaldehyde.

‍Your water heater. Water heaters are about 18% of a home’s energy use. The newer heat pump technology water heaters are better than gas or traditional electric water heaters but are more expensive. But they are also two to three times more efficient and pay for themselves in a few years because of savings on utility bills. You can reduce the flow of water that must be heated by installing more efficient aerators on your sink faucets and showerheads.

Your clothes dryer. Look for dryers with the “energy star” label. These dryers use about twenty percent less energy. “If all Americans switched to Energy Star dryers, that would collectively save $1.5 billion in energy costs and avoid about the same amount of pollution as 2 million cars, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.”

References:

https://www.npr.org/2021/10/07/1015460605/gas-stove-emissions-climate-

change-health-effects

https://www.npr.org/2023/10/03/1196977935/save-money-energy-tips

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We have been trying to point out simple daily things each one of us can do to be part of the climate solution. Of course, you can do things like switching to zero-carbon or renewable energy providers or installing solar panels on your roof, but those are bigger projects. Below are a few more easier things you can do. Just try to remember that everything we suggest must eventually become a habit to incorporate into your daily routine. This requires some initial work (focus and concentration) for at least a few weeks until it does become a habit.

You Can Be More Efficient.

For example, in the winter, you can turn your heat down a degree or two and vice versa with your air-conditioning in the summer. I know this may initially be an inconvenience because treasure certain comforts. But if a great number of people can adopt these slight changes, it would help to make a big difference. The same can be said for switching off appliances and lights when you are not using them. Also, by purchasing the most efficient products (i.e., air-conditioners, appliances, water heaters, light bulbs), it will not only save energy, but save you money in the long run. Another great energy saver is insulating your loft or roof which will keep you warmer in winter, cooler in summer, and save you money. Without insulation you are making your heater and/or air conditioner work harder, using more energy, and paying more.

CAN WE MAKE “PLASTIC-FREE” PLASTIC?

Did you know that “cling wrap” is one of the worst types of plastics for the environment – especially our oceans? According to the most recent PEW Charitable Trusts report entitled “Breaking the Plastic Wave,” the flow of plastics into our oceans is expected to triple by 2040. Each year 5.5 million tons of “flexible monomaterials” like wraps and bags get into the oceans and constitute 46% of all plastics leaking into the oceans. As an amazing alternative to plastic packaging made from fossil fuels, a few companies around the world are making wraps out of seaweed, a much more sustainable choice. Sway, a U.S. based company, is one of participants. Part of its mission statement is: “Without compromising on performance, we design next-generation replacements for plastic that replenish life from sea to soil.” A few major clothing brands were going to test some of the new packaging in their supply chains. Think about the ways that you can reduce your use of "cling wrap" plastic today by using alternative materials.

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RECAP: Last time we talked about using a water bottle. Americans purchase about 50 billion water bottles per year which averages 13 water bottles per month for every American. That’s just the United States! How about purchasing a nice refillable water bottle you can carry around and fill up instead of purchasing beverages in all those easily disposable plastic bottles? (If only 1 million Americans made this simple change, that would be a year with 156 million less plastic bottles! Pretty cool right)?

THIS WEEK:  Two things you can do:

USE LESS WATER. I began with my showers and timed myself. In the good old days, I liked a nice long shower. But in those days, we didn’t have climate change or water shortages like we do today. I have cut my showers down  to 2-3 minutes and it’s perfectly fine. It was an easy change. I also used to leave the water running when I was shaving,  brushing my teeth, or washing dishes. I don’t do that anymore. I have heard that a habit takes about 3-4 weeks to develop, so you must keep at this for it to stick.

TRY USING LESS SINGLE USE PLASTICS  like plastic sandwich bags or one-gallon bags. THESE PLASTIC BAGS CANNOT BE RECYLCED BY MOST OF OUR RECLYCLING FACILITIES! Let’s be real – we’re not ready to go cold turkey on plastics. But when it comes to plastics, LESS IS MORE! Consolidate or use substitutes like paper when you can.

REMEMBER: Single-use plastics have an average useful life of 12-15 minutes and can take up to 500 years to disintegrate.

Roughly 50% of global annual plastic production is for single-use plastics. The world produces about 5 trillion plastic bags each year.

Americans throw away about 100 billion plastic bags each year which is equal to dumping 12 million barrels of crude oil.

The more convenient something is to dispose of, the more havoc it is going to eventually wreak upon our environment. Let’s fight our impulses to inundate ourselves with disposable products. We can use metal or bamboo. Let’s get into the habit of washing and reusing instead of throwing everything away. These are easy changes to make!

HOW CAN EACH OF US HELP? If you really want to get involved and help the environment, you’ve got to start somewhere, right? Let’s begin slowly and see if we can build some good habits. Americans purchase about 50 billion water bottles per year which averages 13 water bottles per month for every American. That’s just the United States! How about purchasing a nice refillable water bottle you can carry around and fill up instead of purchasing beverages in all those easily disposable plastic bottles? (If only 1 million Americans made this simple change, that would be a year with 156 million less plastic bottles! Pretty cool right)?

By the way, hundreds of thousands of people around the world are trying to do something helpful for the environment. But even if there were 500,000 of us, it would still be only .0000625 per cent of humanity. Do not despair. We are the first wave and there will be many, many more to come. Stay with it and do not give up. Do not start questioning why you are doing something when it seems to you that nobody else you know is doing it. Be part of the future. I have now used my water bottle for almost two years, and it has become my new normal, and so easy. THANK YOU and GOOD LUCK. We will have other suggestions next time in WHAT CAN YOU DO TODAY TO HELP OUR WORLD?