Best Reusable Paper Towel Alternatives and More Sustainable Paper Towels

It’s time to upgrade to environmentally responsible reusable paper towel alternatives. Why? Most people buy their paper towels in one of three ways—price, brand name or quantity—without considering the impact of that roll of paper. 

And all that irresponsible manufacturing is just too big to ignore anymore.

OUT WITH THE OLD

Every year, consumers in the US purchase millions of dollars’ worth of paper towels, which contributes to millions of tons of waste while decimating hundreds of thousands trees. 

But that’s not the only bad part. 

1. Common paper towel brands are destroying Canada’s Boreal Forest, which is a key to Indigenous Peoples’ culture and survival and critical habitat for iconic species. Plus, the forest is a giant carbon sink that helps mitigate climate change for everyone from here to Tuvalu. 
2. Some companies use an additive that bonds with natural polymers to give strength to wet paper towels, rendering some non-recyclable.
3. The natural fibers of paper towels aren’t consistent from one roll to the next, which means the absorbency varies even with the same brand. 
4. And ever wonder why they’re so white? That’s chlorine bleach.

…AND IN WITH THE NEW!!

We’ll show you a few small dynamite companies that are turning humanitarian and environmental tragedies into opportunities that challenge the status quo. By buying these products instead of the old has-beens, you’ll: 

• Support relief efforts for children and indigenous peoples globally.
• Save money over time.
• Give back to your community and others.
• Support environmental considerations and human welfare.

Best Reusable Paper Towel Alternatives: EcoKarma’s Picks

Here’s a quick rundown of the brands and products we have researched and selected for you. We’ve put them in 5 categories for you to browse, including some accessories to accompany your new reusable paper towel alternatives. Contact us if we missed out on your favorite!

Best Paperless Paper Towels

• Top Pick. Marley’s Monsters: The UNpaper® towel
• Runner-up. generationMe: A Lighter Footprint

Best Swedish Dishcloths and Sponge Alternatives

• Top Pick. Three Blue Birds: Clean Life. Green Planet.
• Runner-up. Ten and Co.: A premium, Eco-conscious home goods company.

Best Washable Paper Towels

• Top Pick. Mioeco: Simple Sustainable Living. 
• Runner-up. 112JamesStreet. Sustainably Sourced + Eco-friendly and Biodegradable. 

Best Bamboo Towels or “No-paper” Towels

• Top Pick. The Cheeky Panda: Earth, Ocean & People.
• Runner-up. Who Gives a Crap: We love toilet paper.

Best Paper Towel Holders

• Top Pick. Earth Hero: Choices Make Changes
• Runner-up. Marley’s Monsters: The UNpaper® towel 

PAPER TOWEL ALTERNATIVES: A Closer Look

For a more in-depth look at our choices, check out our reviews of the best paper towel alternatives.

Best Paperless Paper Towels

Marley’s Monsters Unpaper® Towels use sustainable, plastic-free shipping with recyclable and compostable materials. Plus, fabric waste is avoided by repurposing scraps. They also donate to St. Vincent DePaul Society of Lane County and ENVIA Fashion as a community-minded business.

Their organic collection offers just two colors (white or natural), but more are available in non-organic 100% cotton.

Washing instructions: Machine wash warm with like colors, tumble dry. 

Pro-tip: if you can’t clean mirrors with paperless paper towels, use old newspaper or a squeegee.

generationMe began when the owner/operator lost her sister to cancer and decided to clean the chemicals out of her home and life to become sustainable and healthy. generationMe also produces napkins, baby wipes, and washable menstrual pads for light or overnight flow.

Washing Instructions: Machine wash, tumble dry. Fabric softener not recommended.

Best Swedish Dishcloths and Sponge Alternatives

Three Blue Birds products are made from 70% sustainably forested wood cellulose and 30% organic cotton. Plus, they’re certified by international regulatory organizations. Contributions include 1% For the Planet—Water Stewardship and Restoration projects:

• Lower San Pedro River Habitat Restoration
• Sacramento River Wetland Flow Restoration

Their products are also 100% biodegradable and Fair Trade certified.

Washing instructions: Dishwasher or washing machine. Dry flat.

Ten and Co products are compostable and sustainable, with manufacturing, packaging, and shipping considerations. Their products are made from 100% wood cellulose and cotton, making them compostable right on your countertop. And, because they are quick-drying, they’re also inherently anti-bacterial.

No plastic will be used in the shipping of your product!

Washing instructions: Dishwasher or washing machine. Air dry flat.

Best Washable Paper Towels / Napkins

Mioeco is GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified, which means they don’t use chemicals to produce their washable paper towels. No chemicals = happy, healthy employees! Mioeco is also a carbon-neutral manufacturer (a net-zero carbon production footprint) because they use solar panels to run the electricity in their plant.

Washing instructions: Machine Washable. Dry on low or air dry flat.

Tara Adair Griesbach is the owner, operator and genius behind all of the eco-friendly products you’ll find at 112 James Street. People love the simple but elegant design as well as the combination of hemp and organic cotton.

No plastic will be used in the shipping of your product!

Washing instructions: Machine wash cold and tumble dry.

Best Bamboo Towels or “Non-paper” Towels

Aside from having a sustainability report that just screams “transparency” in business practices, 

The Cheeky Panda has some other fantastic attributes I want to sing about, too!! Take a look:

• Working towards being plastic-free
• Support Whale and Dolphin Conservation, World Land Trust and Toilet Twinning
• Don’t contribute to deforestation with bamboo
• Cruelty-free
• Membership with the Forest Stewardship Council
• No chemicals, fertilizers or pesticides
• Attained carbon balance
• Employee welfare matters

Who Gives a Crap is a B-Corp toilet paper company with a mission to help children. So far, they’ve donated over $4.5 million to support global partnerships, including:

• WaterAid (Australia and America)
• Sanergy
• Lwala Community Alliance
• SHOFCO – Shining Hope for Communities
• WaterSHED
• iDE – International Development Enterprises

Oh, and they manufacture sustainable paper towels, too

Best Paper Towel Holders

As a B-Corp, Earth Hero embodies social and environmental accountability in sourcing, manufacturing, distributing through the product’s end-of-life. That also means they care about the people who work at each stage of this cradle-to-grave process. To include these delightful attributes:

• Sustainably harvested wood
• Energy efficiency, Carbon offsets
• Recycled, recyclable, compostable packaging
• BPA-free
• Made in the USA

Plus, the paper towel holder has a minimal design that will fit into just about any décor.

Marley’s Monsters Unpaper® Towel holders are made from Birch plywood. The base is covered in felted wool to protect your countertop. Plus, it’s finished with tung oil (similar to linseed oil). With regular donations to St. Vincent DePaul Society of Lane County and ENVIA Fashion, it’s obvious they support the local community.

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Sources:

Comstock, S. (2009, February 19). Finding eco-friendlier Household paper products. Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/earthtalks-paper-products/

NRDC. (2019). Issue with Tissue: NRDC Press Briefing, February 20, 2019. Soundcloud. https://soundcloud.com/user-196628756/issue-with-tissue-nrdc-press-briefing-february-20-2019