No More Paper Napkins

The debate has been going on for a while: paper napkins versus fabric napkins. If you choose to use paper napkins occasionally your best option is 100% recycled, chlorine free napkins such as Seventh Generation’s. Even better – compost them when you’ve finished using them. 

If you’re open to it, consider incorporating fabric napkins into your daily routine. Buy a stack of them and place them in a drawer or basket in your kitchen. Stick one of them in your purse or backpack and reusable lunch tote. Resist temptation to grab a paper towel or napkin when you’re grabbing a snack or having a full meal. Use your fabric napkins a few times before washing. Set them out when you have friends over for a meal. 

It might be a lifestyle change or even a throwback for some. You may have grown up using fabric napkins every day or just on special occasions. There is something very sophisticated about using fabric napkins. They are rich and soft and it is just such a responsible thing to do. Rather than killing trees (even second hand with a recycled product) lessen your impact and reuse reuse reuse something cotton. 

However, cotton is not the only option for fabric napkins. And the cotton doesn’t have to be conventional. Now there are several adorable and varied options all over the place: hemp, organic cotton, recycled hemp, cotton blends, etc. Select a style that suits you: rugged, formal, floral, mis-matched, old world, or crisp hotel white. Consider a matching placemat with it like ARE Naturals’ Porter napkin and placemat.  

Fiberactive on MyEarth360 has a colorful variety of organic cotton napkins such as the tan stripes above and their Graceland plum napkins. The pear napkins at the top of the post are available on Etsy in the Evelyn Fields store. 

Evelyn Fields also makes reusable hemp snack bags. Fantastic idea! They make several styles to choose from at $36 for six for you to tote your snacks in the car, in your lunch, or on picnics. Wash in eco-friendly detergents on cold and line dry if possible. 

If you use cloth napkins, placemats, and other such reusable products, use biodegradable, phosphate-free soap, use the energy-saving settings, and line-dry them. Happy shopping and they make great gifts too!