August 7th, 2009 · No Comments

From Green Right Now Reports

Paper products are getting unquestionably more environmentally sensitive. With even big name brands like Kimberly-Clark publicly committing to using fibers from sustainably managed forests, you can expect to see stores make more room on the shelves for at least one “alternative” paper product brand.

One we like to see is the Marcal brand, which has been recycling paper fiber since 1950. We’ve spotted their paper towels at Lowe’s Home Improvement Stores and now we see Marcal paper towels and toilet paper in the main paper products aisles at Kroger grocery stores.

Our local Kroger has carried Seventh Generation paper products, but had cordoned them off with all the other organic foods and products in a special section. The main paper aisle remained a wonderland of fluffy virgin paper products. We see the move to put Marcal front and center as serious progress. Now folks who aren’t looking for environmentally friendly products will at least get an eyeful of Marcal’s bright yellow label and see the company’s appeal to save trees.

Marcal, you see, doesn’t use trees for its paper products, but makes them from reclaimed paper fiber. The Small Steps paper towels we picked up are 100-percent recycled and are whitened without bleach. Also the paper towels come off in smaller sections to discourage waste — in a world where built-in obsolescence and excess have been accepted — that strikes the right note. (Of course, you can reduce your use even more by replacing paper towels with a wash cloth….)