Paper Bleaching!

Think of all the paper you use every day. Toilet paper, office paper, Kleenex, paper towels, paper napkins, coffee filters, newspapers . . . it really adds up! Of course, we should use cloth alternatives whenever possible, such as cloth napkins and dishtowels. However, there are some times that a cloth alternative will just not work. Businesses in the take-out food industry need to be able to provide a disposable option, and there is certainly no substitute for toilet paper!

We can reconcile ourselves to this necessary paper consumption by choosing to buy better paper products. First, we can choose products that are made from wood that was logged in sustainably managed forests. Also, we can compost our paper waste when possible, instead of sending it to landfills. We can also take another important step, and buy non-chlorine-bleached paper.

Most of the paper we used is bleached to a bright white with chlorine. When wood pulp is bleached by chlorine, chemical reactions take place which produce dioxins, organochlorines, and a wide variety of other toxic chemicals. These toxins are released with wastewater into our rivers and streams, or into “containment” ponds that accomplish little in the way of containing the toxins. One website notes that “dioxins are now so widespread in the environment that virtually every man, woman, and child in America has them in their bodies. In fact, each day we ingest 300-600 times more than the EPA's so-called ‘safe’ dose. As they accumulate inside us to critical levels, the effects begin to show.”

Dioxins are bio-accumulative, and build up in organisms as you move up the food chain. They are also extremely carcinogenic, and have been linked not only to cancer but also to reproductive disorders and both physical and mental development problems in feti and children. Organochlorines are also bio-accumulative, and have been linked to a number of developmental and reproductive disorders, cancers, and failures of organ systems.

Lucky for us, every paper product we use has a chlorine-free alternative version on the market! Look for paper products that are labeled as “TCF” (totally chlorine free). Be careful that you don’t confuse TCF paper with paper labeled “ECF,” or “elementally chlorine free.” These papers do not use elemental chlorine, but they do use chlorine derivatives and are not as good for you and the environment. The Green Seal website has an extensive list of chlorine free paper products and brands available here.

I’ve overheard some discussion in the aisles of stores like Whole Foods about the color of paper products. I’ve heard people say they like their white paper towels and do not want to buy non-bleached paper because it just doesn’t seem “clean”. I’ve also seen enviro-litist people talking about how they only buy the brown, non-bleached products and would never dream of using white paper. To settle the debate I’d like to point out that brown paper products are not bleached, which is good for the environment. But, if you are not ready to give up your white paper towels and toilet paper, they make paper products that are both chlorine free AND white. Seventh Generation is one brand that offers white chlorine-free products. They use hydrogen peroxide and sodium hydrosulphite to bleach their papers, and the only by-products of this process are oxygen and water. Enjoy your white paper guilt free! And buy white, chlorine free office paper!

As a side note, chlorine is also used in many household cleaners. I won’t get into the dangers of traditional soaps, detergents, and disinfectants since we have already had a post on that subject; but I will remind everyone that buying alternative types of cleansers is important for the health of our families and the environment.

More info on paper bleaching can be found here.

Better Business Tips

In my coming posts I will be re-focusing on the "quick fix" suggestions for business that can make a big environmental difference. Please send me any that YOU can think of at environmentaloutrage@gmail.com !

1. CVS Prescriptions- At least here in DC, CVS is the most popular place for everyone to get prescriptions. The medicine is put in a bottle, then inside a paper bag, then an informational paper attached to the front, and then usually put in a plastic bag. All of these paper bags they use to fill the hundreds of thousands of prescriptions CVS fills nationwide everyday have a very small red recycling logo on the bottom. Nobody sees it (well, ALMOST nobody...) and guaranteed the vast majority of people throw this paper bag in the trash. CVS- it's really simple, there is nothing on the side of the bag. In big bold letters it should say "RECYCLE THIS BAG." ALMOST everyone can recycle where they live these days, but one of the most common reasons people don't is because they never stop and think about whether a product they have been trashing for years might actually be recyclable! So let's start making it a little more clear...eventually people will catch on...YES, ANY paper can be recycled (that includes your junk mail, shopping guides, old newspapers, cardboard boxes...come on people!)

2. Grocery Stores- That goes for you too! Every plastic bag should be required to have "recycle this bag" printed on it, or preferably "recycle this bag at ----" and provide the location. The extra printing costs for grocery chains will be nearly invisible.

3. Printing, Copying, Office stores- Most copy centers use 25-35 % post-consumer waste (recycled) paper. Copy centers should regularly carry 100 % post-consumer paper and should always ask the customer which they would like to use. The difference in price to use this paper, when divided per sheet, would pass only about 1 extra cent on to the customer. Its small enough that the store can pick up that cost, but if not, there are certainly many who would pay 1 extra penny to have 100 % recycled paper. These stores should also all stock 100 % post-consumer waste paper in the shelves.

These are some starters. Please add your own in the comments!