Shop Sustainably, Save Trees

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The value forests and trees have to each and every one of us is made clear through one simple, involuntary exercise…Breathing. If you have ever been in doubt I urge you to take a long deep breath in…and out. As our Eco-Conscience audience is well aware the leaves on trees use the light energy emitted by the sun and turn it into food for nourishment through a process called photosynthesis. The by products of photosynthesis include both glucose and…you guessed it oxygen! Nice clean fresh oxygen. That is why the loss of the rainforests and deforestation is of global concern and importance. Without trees that deep cleansing breath you just took, well it would not have been possible.

There are three simple tips provided by the Natural Resources Defence Council (NRDC) to help us all in our quest to preserve the trees that preserve our breath. Of course in a perfect world disposable paper towels and napkins would be replaced with cotton or microfibre dishcloths that can be washed and reused but if you must buy paper products why not stick to the recycled variety? Consider that paper fibres can be recycled over 10 times before they become unviable, that’s a whole lot of trees.

Here is a list of three simple things to look for the next time you need to purchase a disposable paper product.

1. Purchase paper products that are made with recycled content—particularly post-consumer fibers: Buy products with a high proportion of recycled content or better yet, post-consumer content. Post- consumer products are those that have been recovered from paper that has been used before. These products have been recovered from landfills or incinerators and thus help to preserve our environment from excess garbage.

2. Purchase Products manufactured using safe, clean processes: Often paper product manufacturing employs the use of chlorine to whiten the appearance of their product. The use of chlorine to bleach paper can cause the formation of chemicals that pollute our water and air supply. Certain products are manufactured using environmentally safe methods and are labelled with TCF “Totally Chlorine Free” or PCF “Processed Chlorine Free”.

3. Encourage tissue manufacturers to stop using virgin wood for throwaway products: If the brand you use doesn’t use recycled content contact the manufacturer. Letting them know that the use of recycled content is important to you as saving forests will not only keep you breathing it helps to reduce pollution.

For a more precise list of brands to cherish and those to avoid visit the NRDC website for the Shoppers Guide to Home Tissue Products , and breath a sigh of relief knowing that you are helping to protect trees.