Finished a Roll: Paper Towel Update
Have you been following the Paper Towel Challenge this month? I posted an update last week.
I believe I’ve made progress on reducing my paper towel use. I started a new roll on May 1, and I used the last sheet tonight. Twenty-three days for one roll among two people and a cat isn’t so bad, but I would prefer to only use one roll for the entire month.
The cat did vomit earlier this week, like all cats do. I picked it up with some of his play tissue (recycled from packaging), and I threw that in the trash. Then I used a cloth to finish cleaning the spot. Not too bad.
I did forget to use a dish towel instead of a paper towel to cover pizza dough while it rose. I guess I haven’t broken that habit yet.
What’s helping me reduce my use of paper towels besides wanting to save trees and other resources?
•Having plenty of dish towels on hand. See the organic dish towels I got from Target to stock up.
•Thinking before I reach. May sound simple, but it’s not!
•Killing the paper towel “plate,” which was apparently a big, bad habit.
•Having a goal. In my case, I want to only use one roll a month. In time, I may decide to use less than that.
•Saving money. That’s always good when it costs $38 to fill up a Honda Civic. Ouch.
Have you broken any bad paper towel habits?
Image via flickr.
Tags: paper towel challenge, paper towel use, reduce paper towel useRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Green Challenge
7 opinions for Finished a Roll: Paper Towel Update
Tammy
May 23, 2008 at 7:22 am
Since I have no idea where you actually keep your paper towels, this may sound like a stupid suggestion.
However, if you’re trying to kick the habit, you might consider putting the paper towels somewhere slightly inconvenient to pull them out. For example, you could put them under the sink. It’ll be worth reaching under there if your cat makes a mess, but it will be less tempting if you need to use it to cover food in the microwave or rising dough (because, hopefully, your cloth napkins are closer than under the sink).
Then, of course, once you’ve developed better habits you could move them back to a more convenient location, if you wanted…just an idea!
Wendy
May 23, 2008 at 8:46 am
try $65 for a dodge caravan!
Peggy
May 23, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Tammy, thanks for the idea. I’ll see if the husband goes for that. : )
Wendy, ouch. I hope your commute isn’t too long.
Rebecca
May 23, 2008 at 11:23 pm
I don’t use paper towels, although we do have a roll that my husband must have bought before we got married (four years ago). We keep it at the back of the bathroom closet. So, I guess Tammy’s tip really does work!
kisha
May 24, 2008 at 3:08 am
we barely used a whole roll in a month. I think we did great for 2 adults and one child. I need to buy some more cloth napkins so we can cut down even more on the paper towels.
Oh yeah how about $65 for an Explorer.
Peggy
May 24, 2008 at 3:49 am
Rebecca - a roll of paper towels that has survived for four years. Impressive!
Kisha - Yay! One roll in a month with a kid is great.
Jodi Plume
May 30, 2008 at 8:44 am
We’ve used about half a roll since last check-in. So we are doing better. :) I keep forgetting to pick up some new cloth napkins when we are at the store. We have I *think* 2 rolls left in our big pack. So when they are gone, I am going to “forget” to buy more. :)
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