I’m talking about the environmental impact and usefulness of paper towels. And their alternatives.

Now don’t get me wrong — I believe there is a time and place for paper towels. When one of my cats ejects blades of grass and wet food onto my floor, I reach for a paper towel with zero remorse. That’s a truly appropriate time for single use, right? But many of us lean heavily onto paper towels for convenience. I grew up on paper towels and didn’t realize there was another way until I was an adult. But why does it matter? I’d be happy to tell you.

It takes about 17 trees to create one ton (about two thousand rolls) of paper towels. Then we must consider the water that went into nurturing those trees before they were harvested (around twenty-thousand gallons for the above amount). By the time they hit the store shelves, they’ve already had an impact on the environment.

But beyond that, it’s estimated that they create between 7 to 13 billion pounds of waste each year in the US alone, depending on the source. Much of that ends up in landfills, taking up valuable space in our dystopian mountains of garbage.

Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the harm associated with wiping things clean.

1. Use rags and dish towels instead: If you already have them in your possession, these are the better option for wiping things down. The great thing about them is you can use them over and over. Divide them into those that are more presentable, and those that are stained beyond belief. I use the “nice” ones to hang for drying my hands. The others are stashed in a cabinet, handy for wiping down counters, sopping up spilled drinks, and dusting. When they’re appropriately filthy, toss them in your hamper and throw them in with the laundry.
2. Make your own rags: No need to buy anything new. If you don’t have enough to satisfy your needs, you can cut up old shirts, bedsheets, or towels. Those who are handy might opt to sew the edges to keep them from fraying. Fold them up into little squares and you’re good to go.
3. Compost paper towels when possible: Many folks believe paper towels are recyclable. They are unfortunately wrong. On the bright side, you can compost them in many cases. If you’re wiping down most food products or using environmentally friendly cleaning sprays, then you’re fine to chuck them in the green bin. But if they come into contact with meat, oil, grease, butter, chemicals, or waste from living creatures, harmful pathogens or bacteria could get into the compost. These are best exiled to the landfill.
4. Invest in recycled paper towels: There are tons of brands that sell 100% recycled paper towels these days. And if you’re using them less often, it can offset the fact that they’re a little pricier.

Life is messy! But cleaning it up doesn’t have to create unnecessary messes in our environment. Fewer paper towels mean less waste and more trees, and I think that’s something most of us can agree is better for everyone.