DIY No-Sew “Unpaper” Towels/ Napkins

Ready for a little Earth Economics? Climate scientists and humanitarian groups are asking us to consider the cost/ benefit of our choices especially as it comes to climate change. While we certainly agree with this exercise, we think it’s also critical to consider the personal financial cost of those same decisions. Once we take the time to consider the true cost of our choices, it’s amazing how many of those activities that hurt the climate are also hurting our wallets. Read on for specifics of one every day staple, the paper towel and an easy-peasy recipe to make reusable ones.

Have you ever considered the value of an intact, established forest of old trees versus the recently planted young trees? We hadn’t but we have it on good authority that old and young trees are not created equal. Planting a new, young tree to replace cutting down an older, existing tree is not a one for one exchange. This is because an older, established tree has far greater benefit to the planet in terms of its ability to reverse atmospheric CO2 pollution than a young, newly planted tree. Unfortunately, a tree planted this year won’t make much of a difference in terms of carbon sequestration over the next decade which is critical for climate action. Thus, when we cut down an old tree to make single-use items such as paper towels, even if we replant the same number of trees (known as reforestation) we aren’t truly offsetting our use. 

“It’s important to weigh the value of paper products against the value of intact forests. If you are thinking through a carbon lens, those single-use products are very short-lived,” says Trevor Hesselink, director of policy and research at the Wildlands League, a Canadian conservation organization. “We really need to be thinking about forests in a different way at this critical junction, Instead of soaking up spilled milk, those trees can help us tackle a much larger mess.”

Besides the environment, continuing to purchase single use items at seemingly insignificant prices, adds up over time. Let’s consider that the average family uses two rolls of paper towels per week. At $14 for 8 rolls, we are spending almost $200 annually on paper towels. Depending on your socio-economic status, perhaps $200 a year doesn’t seem concerning, but what about spending $200 a year for 50 years? That’s ten grand in paper towels! Now consider the financial benefit to your family if you switched to using something like vintage tea towels or cut up old tee-shirts or bed-sheets to make your own towels or napkins. Not only are forests left alone to do what they do best, sequestering carbon and protecting our earth from climate change, but we are saving massive amounts of money that could be reinvested in our family for education, vacations, etc. 

As consumers we can begin to exercise our power and voice on this issue by refusing to buy the products that originate from deforestation, things like single-use paper towels for kitchen messes or paper napkins or plates for a dinner party. When we opt for these single-use, throw away items, not only are we telling the producers of these things that as consumers, we are “demanding” them, but we are also wasting our money. 

Read the full New York Times One Thing You Can Do to “Help to Preserve Forests” article here. 

And now for the DIY No - Sewing Required “unpaper” towel or napkin recipe…

Ingredients:

• one+ old sheet

• pair of pinking shears 

• plant based dye (optional)

Directions:

• Decide the dimensions for your napkin size. 

  • We opted for a size similar to the paper napkins we used to buy so that when unfolded they measure 7.5” x 15” and are essentially a 7.5” square when folded and fit nicely in our existing napkin holder. 

  • Because you won’t be hemming the edges, you don’t need to worry about cutting in perfectly straight lines.

  • No need to trim the sheet edges, unless you want all the napkins to match. You will want to cut the elastic from fitted sheets. 

  • You may want to do some math to ensure optimal use of your size sheet, or simply use the remnants for rags or textile recycling. Accomplish this by measuring one length of the sheet and divide by the length (or width) of your napkin. If the result is not a whole number, adjust your napkin size accordingly. 

• Begin by cutting one strip from the entire length of the sheet, follow by cutting the strip into individual widths, repeat for the remainder of the sheet.

  • Cut a strip the full length of the sheet 7.5” from the edge

  • Cut that 7.5” strip into 15” sections

• That’s it, the zigzag pattern created with a pair of pinking shears limits the length and amount of fraying from the cut edge of the cloth, allowing for a simple and casual finish option without the need to sew a hem.

• If you are so inclined you can hand dye your napkins with plant based dye for a pop of color on your table or to hide those inevitable pasta sauce stains.