I didn’t realize this, but because of the popularity of Earth Day, April has been declared Earth Month. The actual Earth Day is on April 22nd, otherwise known as Kate’s birthday. Last year when she was in kindergarten, we started a tradition of bringing “dirt pudding” to her classmates to celebrate both occasions at once!
In honor of Earth Month, I’m participating in a campaign to change the way we use recycled paper products in our homes.
About a year and a half ago, I took a graduate course in philosophy. It was really quite interesting (even though I almost decided enough was enough on the day I walked in and the professor said we were going to go outside and observe a tree for eight minutes) and thought provoking, and one of the things that stuck out to me was a video we watched about the process of making paper. My grandfather spent his career working in a paper mill, and that man loved him some paper. Even now, in advanced stages of dementia, when he gets his hands on a greeting card or anything else he’ll touch, smell, and even taste it to determine… well, I’m not exactly sure what he is trying to determine, but I guess it’s what kind of paper it is or how it was made or something! But anyway, when I learned about the damage the paper industry he loved so has done to our environment, I must say it made me a little sad.
As we all know, though, recycling paper makes a big difference. According to Wikipedia, “The United States Environmental Protection Agency has found that recycling causes 35% less water pollution and 74% less air pollution than making virgin paper.” So recycled paper is the way to go.
The paper I use most, though, is in my home – paper towels, paper napkins, toilet paper… not thing I generally get excited about being “recycled” – aka scratchy. In my experience, they aren’t as nice as regular ones (and really, using “nice” paper towels is more important than, you know, the Earth continuing to exist. Yes, clearly I need to examine my priorities.)
Enter Scott Naturals. They’ve created the world’s first line of “hybrid” paper products, including bath tissue, paper towels, flushable moist wipes and napkins by combining the green benefits of recycled fiber with the quality we all want, making it easy to “go green.”
They want to encourage everyone to try out their products for four weeks – which, if everyone did it, would save two million trees. Oh, and by taking this 4-Week Test Drive Challenge, you’ll be entered to win a new hybrid sedan.
To make it even better, Scott Brands will donate $1 to the Natural Wildlife Federation for each person who clicks on this link. – up to $25,000. That’s all you have to do – click here and they’ll donate a dollar.
Want to try out Scott Naturals for yourself? You can enter to win this gift pack:
To enter, leave a comment telling us what you and your family do that’s green.
For extra entries, click here, and Scott Brands will donate $1 to NWF for YOU and/or take the 4-Week Test Drive Challenge, and leave separate comments telling us you did so.
The contest will end on Thursday, April 21 at 5p.m. EST and a winner will be chosen randomly.
To learn more about Scott Naturals, visit their website, “like” their Facebook page or follow #ScottNaturals on Twitter.
Good luck!
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I received a package of Scott Naturals and additional compensation via this campaign through The Motherhood, but as always, the thoughts and opinions are my own!
Many things. One is, as I run the kitchen faucet to get the water hot, I collect the running cold/cool water into a clean milk jug, then use it to water my potted plants.
I clicked and took the challenge
we compost and catch rain! (aka a composter & rain barrel)
I’m not entering the contest obviously, but I bought Scott Naturals last week or the week before at Walgreen’s because they were on sale and they are every bit as good as regular Scott! They are working great in our home.
I clicked and took the challenge
Our family recycles…EVERYTHING! Anything plastic, paper, cardboard, glass or aluminum…we recycle it. We have several boxes throughout the house and the kids know that any papers they have go in there….it’s great! Recycling as a family has been a lot of fun!
We recycle and also try to use cloth rags instead of paper towels as much as possible
I also clicked on the link.
We recycle and I even have my kids doing it. They will ask me if its recyclable before throwing it in the trash!!
I clicked on the link above.
I have ALMOST eliminated paper towels and paper napkins in my house. Until I just found a pack of Bounty Halloween napkins that my husband is enjoying…
I clicked 🙂
I pledged–will do my best!
we use reuseable bags and use a water saver shower
I pledged
We put bricks in our toilet tank on our older toilets that aren’t low flow
I also clicked to pledge
We recycle, compost, use recyclable bags, and use cloth napkins.
I turn the water off while I brush my teeth.
I’m trying to be more green as I get older! I do recycle some things, I use rags instead of paper towels and I also try to use as little water as possible. Yes there r tons more I could b doing but it’s the small things that eventually turn into bigger things!
I clicked!
I’m taking the 4week challenge and even entered to win a new car!!! Fat chance but it’s worth a shot! LOL
We use filtered reusable water bottles so we can drink tap water and not waste so much plastic.
We recycle as much as we can to reduce our trash. There is 6 in my van that was ALOT of trash. We have cut it down by about 2/3rds and am working to get it down to about 3/4ths recycled. Very good to know that as my son days we are not leaving as “big a footprint” on the earth.
We use shopping bags instead of plastic/paper bags (even beyond the grocery store) and just started using produce bags as well for fruits/veggies at the store – have a water filter instead of buying up lots of plastic jugs – keep lights off when not needed – and do patio container gardening. 🙂
We recycle and use cloth grocery bags. We also shop and donate at our local thrift stores.
I clicked to donate, and I took the 4 week challenge. We stocked up on Scott paper towels last week at Walgreens.
We use reusable grocery bags instead of plastic!
I clicked and took the challenge.
We recycle! It helps to cut down on taking the trash out all the time too! And saves us $ from having to buy a million trash bags all the time!
I took the challenge!
We recycle, use reusable grocery bags, use reusable water bottles.
Instead of buying bottled waters to take to work with me, I use a reusable bottle and add my own water.
We recycle and try to keep our electricity usage to a minimum.
I only use Scott.
But, let the Cuyahoga burn!
UP
We recycle as much as we can and we don’t turn on AC.
I clicked and took the challenge
We make a big effort at home to conserve water and electricity. We also make sure to recycle what we can – either through formal recycling programs or resusing item in our own home!
I took the challenge too!
I make all of my own cleaning supplies. That way I know exactly what I’m putting into my house. And I don’t mind letting the kids help!
coriwestphal at msn dot com
I clicked!
coriwestphal at msn dot com
My family recycles all our aluminum and cardboard/paper products. Thanks.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com
we recycle and I reuse plastic shopping bags and I use paper bags at the grocery store
We are using more reusable containers for snacks and drinks and fewer single use baggies and bottles.
We recycle anything we can
sweokgrl@gmail.com
I clicked the link to donate!!
sweokgrl@gmail.com
I took the challenge
sweokgrl@gmail.com
I use my own grocery bags
kolpin4680 at gmail dot com
took the pledge
kolpin4680 at gmail dot com