6 Eco-Friendly Paper Towels That Don't Contribute To Deforestation
When it comes to cleaning up around the house, few tools are as convenient as the trusty paper towel roll. But, like most things we use once and then throw away, these aren't the most eco-friendly.
Why, you ask? Since traditional white rolls are made from wood fibers that are broken down and dyed with bleach, they require a lot of water and energy to make—just to end up in the trash. Paper towels that have been whitened with chemicals are not compostable, and they're deemed unrecyclable once you use them to soak up food items like grease.
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Then, you have the deforestation issue: Imagine the number of trees that are chopped down to create the 3.7 million tons1 of paper towels Americans use each year.
One way to reduce the impact of your home cleaning is to use dishcloths or reusable paper towels on spills. But if you can't quite quit the convenience of a single-use option, at least go with one that is made from recycled material or less threatened plants like bamboo.
This will help ensure that no old-growth forests—valuable allies in the fight against climate change—are chopped down to clean up your messes.
Here are six more eco-friendly options to add to your cart:
1. Seventh Generation 100% Recycled Paper Towels - Unbleached
Why they're better: Compostable, made from recycled material
Seventh Generation's paper towels are unbleached, made of 100 percent recycled paper, and don't use any added dyes or inks, so you can throw them right into your compost bin after use.
Seventh Generation 100% Recycled Paper Towels - Unbleached ($4.99/6 rolls)
2. Bambooee Reusable Bamboo Towel
Why they're better: Reusable, made from bamboo
A cross between a dishcloth and a single-use paper towel, Bambooee reusable towels are super strong and machine washable (up to 100 times). They are made from bamboo fibers—a popular paper alternative that is quick to regrow and doesn't contribute to the deforestation of ancient forests. (Learn more about the material's pros and cons here.)
Bambooee Reusable Bamboo Towel ($9.99/roll)
3. Everspring™ 100% Recycled Paper Towels
Why they're better: Made from recycled material
These paper towels from Target's home cleaning brand Everspring™ are made from recycled material and carry the Forest Stewardship Council Certified seal, meaning their wood was initially harvested from responsibly managed forests.
Everspring™ 100% Recycled Paper Towels ($16.99/8 rolls)
4. 365 by Whole Foods Market Paper Towels
Why they're better: Made from recycled material
365 by Whole Foods Market offers paper towels made from 100% recycled material. They are whitened without chlorine bleach and don't contain any added fragrance or dyes, but still don't belong in the compost or recycling bin.
365 by Whole Foods Market Paper Towels ($4.99/ 3 rolls)
5. Who Gives A Crap Forest Friendly Paper Towels
Why they're better: Made from bamboo and plant waste, plastic-free packaging
These "forest friendly" rolls are made from fast-growing bamboo and bagasse, a byproduct of sugarcane processing—not old-growth trees. Who Gives A Crap donates 50% of its profits to charity partners working in water, hygiene, and sanitation. It's also a certified B Corp for its corporate commitments to sustainability (like carbon-neutral shipping and plastic-free packaging).
Who Gives A Crap Forest Friendly Paper Towels ($16/ 6 rolls)
6. Cloud Paper Bamboo Paper Towels
Why they're better: Made from bamboo, plastic-free packaging
Cloud Paper offers a subscription service so you'll always have a stash of bamboo paper towels (nestled in recyclable, plastic-free packaging) waiting for you at home.
Cloud Paper Bamboo Paper Towels ($33.99/12 rolls)
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Emma Loewe is the Sustainability and Health Director at mindbodygreen and the author of Return to Nature: The New Science of How Natural Landscapes Restore Us. She is also the co-author of The Spirit Almanac: A Modern Guide To Ancient Self Care, which she wrote alongside Lindsay Kellner.
Emma received her B.A. in Environmental Science & Policy with a specialty in environmental communications from Duke University. In addition to penning over 1,000 mbg articles on topics from the water crisis in California to the rise of urban beekeeping, her work has appeared on Grist, Bloomberg News, Bustle, and Forbes. She's spoken about the intersection of self-care and sustainability on podcasts and live events alongside environmental thought leaders like Marci Zaroff, Gay Browne, and Summer Rayne Oakes.