Toilet Paper Alternatives

What Can I Use Instead Of Toilet Paper?

The Best Toilet Paper & Loo Roll Alternatives!

The recent COVOID-19 pandemic has resulted in many people literally running to the stores to stock up on supplies as families everywhere are now faced with the possibility of long-term quarantines. This global health emergency has caused panic among consumers who have been buying everything off grocery store shelves from canned goods to hand sanitizers. However, one product that has exploded in demand has been toilet paper. Grocery stores are struggling to keep toilet paper stocked which is resulting in a real problem for families in need of basic necessities. So if you are running low on toilet paper and your local grocery store is sold out of bathroom tissue, here are the top 10 toilet paper alternatives to help you get through this crappy situation!

What To Do If There’s No Toilet Paper

1. Paper

Yes, toilet paper is the softest most comfortable option for your tush, but if you are all empty on bathroom tissue than any form of paper can work. Newspapers, magazines, or any paper product that can absorb can really be a great alternative when toilet paper is not available!

2. Bidet

More common in European countries, Bidets are a great toilet paper alternative. The best part is these little toilet accessories can be purchased on Amazon for as little as $29.00. Do you have to wipe after using a bidet? Yes, but usually once to dry off!

3. Flushable Wipes

A little more pricey but often overlooked by many consumers, flushable wipes are a perfect toilet paper alternative for people who prefer to use a wipe but want something a little cleaner than standard bathroom tissue.

4. Bathroom Sponge

In ancient Roman times, it was quite common for royal elites to wipe their bums with a sponge attached at the end of a stick. Luffas are more common in today’s modern world, and if you are out of bathroom tissue a luffa or bathroom sponge can be a great toilet paper alternative.

5. Face Clothes or Old Rags

Small towels, face cloths or simply old rags are soft to the skin and absorb enough to provide a toilet tissue alternative. Just make sure you use these one-time and place the used rag in the washer to be disinfected.

6. Receipts

We all keep old receipts in our wallets, purses or just around the house, and when you are in desperate need of toilet tissue or soft paper for cleaning yourself receipts can be an amazingly soft toilet paper alternative.

7. Baby Wipes

If they work for babies they will work for you, and that is why baby wipes are a superb toilet paper alternative. However, we highly recommend people do not buy baby wipes during an emergency situation such as this pandemic because many parents with babies really do need them as a basic necessity.

8. Corn Husks

Often described as redneck toilet paper, corn husks were one of the earliest toilet paper alternatives before the Industrial Revolution. Corn husks are actually quite soft and many migrant workers on farms are still known to utilize this bathroom tissue alternative when working in the fields.

9. Snow

How can I poop without toilet paper? The answer is to utilize the resources available in nature! One of the biggest issues backpackers and hikers have faced recently has been many outhouses and restrooms that have had toilet paper stolen. Without bathroom tissue available and limited supplies, snow can be an excellent toilet paper alternative! Snow is easily molded and can disposable, but prepared to have a cold butt!

10. Cotton Balls

Women and mothers often have cotton balls or pads in their bathrooms or purses, but did you know that cotton balls can be a terrific toilet paper alternative? Cotton balls are a great bathroom tissue replacement because they are thick enough to where they won’t get your hands contaminated or dirty during the wiping process.

Interested in learning more about toilet tissue and paper towels? Check out our recent post on the best eco-friendly recycled paper towels!

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Recycling Lithium-Ion Batteries From Electric Vehicles

Can Lithium Ion Car Batteries Be Recycled?

As companies such as Tesla continue to roll out some of the most innovative electric vehicle designs the automobile industry has ever seen (check out the Tesla Cybertruck), some people are concerned a increase in electric car sales will result in a new environmental issue. This issue involves the lithium-ion batteries that power electric cars and trucks, and how people can recycle batteries from their electric vehicles when the time comes? This article is here to address some of the common questions people have about recycling lithium-ion batteries from electric vehicles, and some general facts about the batteries powering electric cars and trucks!

How Many Lithium Ion Batteries Are Recycled?

According to conservative estimates, roughly 1/4th of all materials in a lithium-ion battery cell can be recovered through recycling. Others have the number as high as 96%, which shows that more research is definitely needed on how many lithium ion batteries are recycled and the percentages of each battery cell that are reused. However, one of the most significant concerns is that many industry experts believe that by 2030 approximately 12 million tons of lit-ion batteries will need to be disposed of. This can could create a significant issue as it pertains to toxic waste.

Without proper battery recycling programs in place the vast amount of old lit-ion batteries from electric vehicles would most likely end up in landfills. This is not only a problem because leaky batteries can pollute groundwater and the land, but many of the materials that make up lit-ion batteries have the ability to be be recovered and rested when recycled properly. The problem is that very little recycling is done with e-waste and lit-ion batteries from electric vehicles.

Are Lithium Batteries Environmentally Friendly?

One of the most comprehensive articles detailing the environmental impact of lit-ion batteries is from a Wired article that open up with the following statement:

“What links the battery in your smartphone with a dead yak floating down a Tibetan river? The answer is lithium.”

One story that really describes the impact of lithium ion batteries occurred in May 2016 when protestors in Tagong threw dead fish onto the streets that they had gathered the Liqi river. What killed all the fish was a toxic chemical leak from a nearby lithium mine, devastating the local eco-system. The water was contaminated which resulted in the death of thousands of fish and other animal life. Not to mention, drinking water from the now toxic river was undrinkable.

The reality is electric vehicles require lit-ion batteries, and with the increase in demand for emission-less automobiles there will also be an increase in the production of lithium-ion batteries. In fact, Cairn Energy Research Advisors believe that the lit-ion battery industry is expected to grow to almost 800 GWhs in 2027, which is nearly 8x more than where it is today. However, this increase in demand also presents a problem. Although replacing fossil fuels is certainly a very good thing, the environmental impact of lithium has the potential to become a serious issue in its own.

With mining the components that make up an electric vehicle’s battery there is always a significant chance highly toxic chemicals can leak into the water supply. Some of these highly toxic chemicals include hydrochloric acid. The environmental impact is so strong that impacts on fish as far as 150 miles downstream from a lithium processing operation were found dead. The reason is because lithium extraction 100%  harms soil, groundwater, and causes air contamination. Lithium is very problematic ingredient used in the rechargeable batteries that power electric vehicles, but cobalt and nickel are other ingredients that are very negative for the environment.

Top 7 Electric Car Facts

1. The electric vehicle market is growing faster than ever before with companies such as Tesla leading the charge.
2. Electric vehicles are highly efficient because nearly 80% of energy in lit-ion batteries goes directly into powering an electric vehicle whereas gas-powered automobiles that number is around 25% on the high end.
3. Norwegians own more electric vehicles per capita than any other nation
4. The 2019 Tesla Model S and 2019 Tesla Model X are two of the most popular electric cars on the market today, but the Tesla Cybertruck might eclipse all electric vehicle based on the hype.
5. Electric vehicles that are set up with fast-charging batteries can receive upwards of an 80% charge in approximately 20 minutes.
6. Electric vehicles emit zero tailpipe pollutants while they are running on electric power!
7. The lithium-ion batteries the power electric vehicles are one of the most expensive parts of the automobile, but the cost is getting cheaper every year..

The Overall Environmental Impact of Electric Vehicle Batteries

The general consensus is that the lithium-ion batteries that power electric vehicles are certainly not the perfect green technology. Yes, electric vehicles reduce our carbon footprint and substantially lower fossil fuel consumption, but much progress needs to be made when it comes to mining lithium and the processes used to recycle electric car batteries. However, the benefits of motorists adopting electric vehicles over gas-power vehicles can dramatically reduce dependency on gasoline, which has a far more negative impact on the environment than lithium battery components.

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How to Recycle Plastic Bags

Plastic Bag Recycling

When it comes to recycling, what do you think of first? Is it big blue or green recycling bins, labeled for different types of plastics or glass or aluminum or cardboard or paper? Do you think of plastic bags?

Plastic bag recycling is booming, yet many consumers aren’t even yet aware that plastic bags can be recycled. Let’s look at some of the reasons that might be, as well as how plastic bags are recycled and where you can take your plastic bags for plastic bag recycling.

How Hard Is It To Recycle Plastic?

Truthfully, likely much harder than you might realize. In large part, that is because of the range of types of plastics and how difficult many of those plastics are to breakdown into a form that can then be reworked into something new.

Consider this: only 9 percent of all plastic is recovered in the United States—almost all of which is PET (#1 plastic) and HDPE (#2 plastic) plastic, though even their recovery rates are only 31 and 28 percent, respectively. So what’s the hold-up?

Let’s look at some of the biggest limiting factors when it comes to plastic recycling:

1. The resin codes. Many consumers mistake the numbers on their plastics for a recycling key, courtesy those arrows around the numbers. All the numbers denote, however, is the resin composition of the plastics; not all of those plastics are actually recyclable. In many places and in many recycling programs, for instance, only #1 (PET) and #2 (HDPE) plastics are recyclable.
2. Even more variations than codes. Even if there are only seven resin codes, there are, in fact, thousands of different kinds of plastics—and they need to be carefully sorted in order to be recycled. (And if they aren’t sorted correctly, and different types of plastics are processed together, it can ruin the whole batch.)
3. Pigmentation. Assuming they are recyclable, clear plastics can be recycled into any color; white plastics can be recycled into any color but clear. When different colors are introduced into the mix, however, it can be much harder to work with dyes to make them anything other than a darker hue of the color they already are.
4. Downcycling. Unlike some other recyclables—like glass, for instance—which can be recycled in a closed loop, glass bottles begetting more glass bottles, plastic recycling might more accurately be called downcycling, as it is most often recycled into something else lower down the production line, such as jacket filling, which can then not be recycled. As a result, most plastic recycling can still only be recycled once.
5. Consumer education. The biggest problem, of course, with plastic recycling is that most consumers don’t know what is and what isn’t recyclable, nor the best way to recycle their plastics.

Plastic Recycling Numbers

As we noted above, plastics are often labeled with one of seven numbers, connected to their resin. Those seven numbers are as follows:

1. Polyethylene Terephthalate, or PETE. Common applications include food packaging, water bottles, and soda bottles.
2. High-Density Polyethylene, or HDPE. Common applications include milk bottles, motor oil containers, detergent, and bleach containers.
3. Polyvinyl Chloride, or PVC. Common applications include toys, plastic piping, even furniture.
4. Low-Density Polyethylene, or LDPE. Common applications include sandwich bags, grocery bags—what we think of as plastic bags—and plastic wrap.
5. Polypropylene, or PP. Common applications include rope, plastic tubs, even clothing.
6. Polystyrene, or PS. What we commonly call styrofoam, common applications include packing peanuts, carry-out food trays, and cups.
7. Other types of plastic all fall into this category.

In many places, only a few of those types of plastic are recyclable; PETE (#1) and HDPE (#2) are the most commonly recycled plastics, for instance. Fortunately, plastic bags are more and more frequently eligible for plastic bag recycling, so let’s look more closely at that process.

What Happens To Plastic Bags That Are Recycled?

We’ve already seen that most plastic bags are made of #4 plastic, low-density polyethylene (LDPE), though some are also made with high-density polyethylene (#2, HDPE). While many curbside recycling programs will accept #2 HDPE plastics, many fewer will accept #4 LDPE plastics, and as a general rule, you shouldn’t expect your local curbside recycling program to accept plastic bags. That doesn’t mean they can’t be recycled, though!

Instead, many grocery stores and other retail locations offer plastic bag recycling—and in some places may even be required to offer it by law. As a result, you can generally find places for your plastic bag recycling near you—we’ll even help you find plastic bag recycling near you in the very next section!

That doesn’t explain, however, what happens to those plastic bags after you drop them off at a plastic bag recycling location—so let’s look a little more closely at that process. Here’s how you should handle your plastic bag recycling:

• Make sure there is nothing left in any of the bags, such as crumbs or receipts, which can contaminate your load.
• Have dedicated storage space for plastic bag recycling. That way you can drop off batches of 50 or 100 bags at a time, especially as they don’t take up much space.
• Make sure your bags are separated out. Some facilities only take #2 plastic bags, for instance, or only #4 plastic bags. (Other locations, however, may not require your bags be sorted in advance; check your local plastic bag recycling locations for more details on what you need to do in your area.)
• Once you drop your bags off, one of several things might happen. Your bags might be melted down, or they might be chipped into pellets, depending on what their next use is.

And those plastic bags end up as quite a few different things. Let’s look at some of the most common applications for plastic bag recycling:

• Composite Lumber. With a mix of plastic bag recycling and lumber scraps (such as sawdust or old pallet scraps, for instance), composite lumber is both hardy and relatively cheap, which makes it a frequent option for decking and outdoor construction. It holds up well to the elements, which makes it a great option for various construction projects. Plastic bags are often chipped into pellets as part of the recycling process if they are slated for use in composite lumber.
• New Plastic Bags. Of course, plastic bag recycling can also result in new bags after the old bags are melted down as part of the plastic bag recycling process. This type of recycling is far more environmentally responsible than making new bags from scratch, too.
• Nanotechnology. Carbon nanotube membranes, which are used in nanotech (such as biomedical applications and energy storage), can be made from recycled plastic bags.

Finally, check out these 15 facts about recycling plastic bags.

15 Plastic Bag Recycling Facts

1. More than one billion plastic bags are used every day.
2. That works out to an average of 4 bags per person per day in the United States.
3. And only approximately 3% of those bags are ever recycled.
4. That means 97% of all plastic bags end up in landfills.
5. Of the plastic bags that are recycled, nearly half end up in composite lumber.
6. Almost all of that composite lumber is sold by one of two companies: Trex Company and AERT Inc.
7. Composite lumber made with plastic bag recycling is more durable than traditional lumber when it comes to outdoor projects, doesn’t need treatment with harmful chemicals, and is pest-resistant and splinter-free, which are all reasons it is often a more environmentally responsible choice than more traditional options.
8. Composite lumber made from plastic bags is available at many hardware and home improvement stores, such as Home Depot or Lowe’s.
9. Plastic bags are one of the biggest ocean contaminants, and sea life such as birds and fish often mistake them for food—which can, in turn, lead to their death, either by choking, digestive issues (courtesy the plastic their bodies aren’t equipped to handle), or even getting stuck in the plastic itself.
10. In fact, up to 80% of all marine trash is plastic bags.
11. Each year, 100,000 marine mammals die as a result of all of those plastic bags.
12. How widespread is the problem? Nearly a third of all leatherback sea turtles, for instance, have been found to have plastic in their stomachs.
13. Nor do plastic bags biodegrade, meaning it can take hundreds of years for them to decompose—even if handled properly in a landfill, for instance.
14. Because plastic bags are made from petroleum, every ton of plastic bag recycling (between 400,000-500,000 bags) saves between 10 and 12 barrels of oil.
15. Plastic bags use a lot of oil to produce: 12 million barrels each year. Or another way of looking at it: Roughly a mile’s worth of gasoline is used for every 14 bags produced.

Considering all of that, don’t you want to use fewer plastic bags? And when you are forced to use plastic bags, don’t you want to take advantage of plastic bag recycling?

Where Can I Recycle Plastic Grocery Bags?

Fortunately, plastic bag recycling is widespread, and many grocery and retail stores offer collection points.

For instance, if you click here you can enter your zip code and find collection points near you. Many major retail chains make a point of having plastic bag recycling collection points, as well, including Target, Walmart, Kroger, Safeway, and more.

Does Walmart Recycle Plastic Bags?

They do! Nationwide, Walmart offers plastic bag recycling collection receptacles. These are usually located near the entrance to the store, but you may need to check with your local Walmart if you have trouble locating the collection point.

You should also feel good about recently announced initiatives in which Walmart is asking its suppliers to be better about plastic packaging. The new guidelines, announced in February 2019, include the following:

• 100 percent of private brand packaging should be recyclable, reusable, or compostable by 2025;
• At least 20 percent of private brand packaging should be post-consumer recycled content by 2025;
• 100 percent of consumable (food) packaging should include How2Recycle labeling by 2022;
• Non-recyclable PVC packaging material should be eliminated from general merchandise packaging by 2020;
• Private brand plastic packaging should be reduced wherever possible.

Those are some big goals toward a more sustainable future!

Does Home Depot Recycle Plastic Bags?

Home Depot similarly has plastic bag recycling collection points, often in the front of their stores. In addition, they also offer other types of recycling, including electronic recycling and battery recycling, meaning that you can regularly use Home Depot locations to recycle items you might not be able to recycle elsewhere.

You can learn more about their electronic recycling program on their site, and it’s worth learning more about Call2Recycle—their nonprofit battery recycling arm—too, especially as they’ve successfully recycled more than 10 million pounds of rechargeable batteries, for instance.

Does Target Recycle Plastic Bags?

Target was one of the first major retailers to jump on the plastic bag recycling train, first offering it at all stores nationwide in 2010. The move came as part of a major recycling program overhaul in Target stores to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the first Earth Day; the initiative was originally part of a month-long focus on recycling and sustainability.

Recycling stations at the front of each Target store accept a wide range of recyclable products, not just plastic bags. In addition to plastic bag recycling, you can find receptacles for:

• Aluminum recycling
• Glass recycling
• Plastic beverage container recycling
• Plastic bag recycling
• Cell phone recycling
• Ink cartridge recycling

Target has also offered discounts at various points in time for customers who brought their own bags, helping reduce the number of plastic bags their customers need to use, as well.

Can You Recycle Ziploc Bags?

You can! In fact, you can drop off your clean and dry Ziploc bags at any plastic bag recycling collection point. It is, however, incredibly important that your Ziploc bags are clean and dry.

Much like other plastic bag recycling, any crumbs or other contamination can ruin an entire load. And, given that Ziploc bags are frequently used for food storage, it’s especially important that you make sure to clean and dry your bags before dropping them off for recycling.

If you have done that, however, you should be able to drop your Ziploc bags off at any plastic bag recycling collection point to ensure they are recycled appropriately.

Can You Recycle Plastic Straws?

Unfortunately, the answer is usually no. The problem with plastic straws has less to do with the type of plastic used, as polypropylene (plastic #5) can be recycled in some programs, and more to do with the size and flexibility of most plastic straws.

Because plastic drinking straws are so small and so bendy, they have a tendency to get stuck in sorting machinery. They’re also incredibly light, which gives them a tendency to drop through sorting screens, often resulting in either contaminating other loads or other issues.

And plastic straws, small as they are, add up—the average American uses 1.6 straws per day. That’s 500 million straws nationwide per day! That ends up being a lot of trash.

There may be other options available to you, however. First, some recycling programs will accept plastic straws if they are packaged in such a way that they’ll go through the sorting facility without causing problems, such as if you put all of your plastic straws in a #5 plastic container (like a butter tub, for instance, which are usually polypropylene). If this is something you’re considering, please call your recycling facility first; if you try this approach in a facility that will not allow straws even if packaged in other plastic recycling you may inadvertently cause contamination issues or worse.

The other option, of course, is to simply stop using plastic straws. Reusable steel straws, for instance, or easy to take with you for use in places where you would otherwise use a plastic straw—and is an easy way to readily cut down on your plastic straw consumption.

Resources:

• https://www.alexandriava.gov/uploadedFiles/tes/solidwaste/info/RecyclingPlasticComplications.pdf
• https://sustainablebrands.com/read/waste-not/the-many-challenges-of-plastic-recycling
• https://blog.nationalgeographic.org/2018/04/04/7-things-you-didnt-know-about-plastic-and-recycling/
• http://theconversation.com/why-cant-all-plastic-waste-be-recycled-100857
• https://www.bustle.com/p/why-is-recycling-so-hard-you-may-think-its-complicated-but-nothing-could-be-easier-8768454
• https://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/recycling-by-the-numbers.html
• https://www.greenlivingtips.com/info/plastic-recycling.pdf
• https://education.seattlepi.com/happens-plastic-grocery-bags-recycled-4791.html
• https://georgiarecycles.org/tools-resources/citizen-resource-guides/plastic-bag-guide/
• https://www.plasticbaglaws.org/get-involved/plastic-bag-recycling
• https://earth911.com/recycling-guide/how-to-recycle-plastic-bags/
• https://solutions.recyclecoach.com/blog/all-you-need-to-know-about-plastic-bag-recycling/
• https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/programs/population_and_sustainability/sustainability/plastic_bag_facts.html
• https://www.plasticfilmrecycling.org/recycling-bags-and-wraps/find-drop-off-location/
• https://www.how2recycle.info/sdo
• https://www.quora.com/What-does-Walmart-do-with-the-plastic-bags-they-receive-to-recycle-that-can-be-from-any-other-store
• https://corporate.walmart.com/newsroom/2019/02/26/walmart-announces-new-plastic-packaging-waste-reduction-commitments
• https://corporate.homedepot.com/newsroom/call2recycle-home-depot-recycles-ten-million-pounds-rechargeable-batteries
• https://www.homedepot.com/c/electronics_recycling_programs
• https://corporate.target.com/press/releases/2010/04/target-launches-recycling-stations
• https://ziploc.com/en/Sustainability-and-Safety
• https://livegreen.recyclebank.com/column/because-you-asked/are-plastic-sandwich-bags-recyclable
• https://get-green-now.com/recycle-plastic-straws/
• https://earth911.com/home/food-beverage/recycling-mystery-plastic-straws/
• https://www.mydisposal.com/plastic-straws

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Best Solar Lanterns

Solar Landscape Lighting

When it comes to limiting your footprint, solar lanterns are a great place to improve your lighting needs and limit your electrical use, whether you’re looking at camping lanterns or decorative solar lanterns for at home. Let’s answer some of your questions.

Can you charge solar lights without the sun?

Yes, definitely! In fact, there are multiple ways to charge solar lights such as solar lanterns without direct sunlight:

1. Indirect sunlight. Though your solar lanterns won’t charge as quickly as in direct sunlight, solar lights can still harvest energy from the sun on cloudy or overcast days.
2. Incandescent lights. Surprisingly enough, many incandescent lights will also work to charge solar lights; the brighter the better, of course.
3. LED lights. Because LED lights tend to be brighter than incandescent lights, they tend to work better for charging solar lights. Additionally, LED lights tend to be more energy-efficient, and if your LED lights are battery-powered, then you can charge your solar lantern even at camp if need be. (Though, admittedly, using batteries to charge solar lights seems a bit like defeating the purpose.)
4. Mirrors. This can require you think quickly on your feet, but if your solar lantern isn’t charging because it is in deep shadows, for instance, placing mirrors in direct sunlight to reflect that light toward the charging panel can be a great workaround. Just keep in mind that the sun tends to move, meaning mirrors will need to be repositioned.

Can you charge a solar panel with an LED light?

Yup! As noted above, it can even be the preferred charging method when you don’t have good sunlight (at least indirect sunlight, such as on a cloudy day) at your disposal, simply because LED lights tend to be more energy-efficient, meaning you are using less electricity to charge your solar lanterns, for instance.

Can solar lights work in the shade?

Definitely! While direct sunlight is the best method for charging solar lanterns, any sunlight (such as with decorative solar lanterns that might sit in the shade part of the day, for instance) is better than no sunlight, and indirect sunlight is still a great way to charge your solar lanterns, including decorative solar lanterns.

What is the brightest solar landscape lights?

If brightness is all you are looking for, you want a good solar landscape spotlight, which generally shine at a brightness of far more lumens than other decorative solar lanterns. For instance, the DrawGreen Bright LED Solar Motion Sensor Spotlights offer 1400 lumens, which is bright enough to shine 45-60 feet on a dark night.

Of course, brightness shouldn’t be the only factor you consider in a solar light, especially when it comes to decorative solar lanterns.

How long do solar landscape lights last?

That depends on each solar landscape light of course, but many of them can last up to a few weeks on a good charge if they are shining intermittently (such as motion-activated solar lights, for instance) and in general, a full day’s charge will cover a full night. You should, of course, do your own research on each solar landscape light you might consider purchasing, however.

Toward that end, though, check out our list of the 5 best solar landscape lights.

5 Best Solar Landscape Lights

1. Manor House oversized solar lantern. Nearly three feet tall, this decorative solar lantern differentiates itself from any other large decorative solar lantern in how it simulates three warm candles’ glow.
2. LITOM outdoor solar lights 4-pack. One of our favorite outdoor security solar lights, LITOM’s 4-pack offers easy installation, wireless capability, motion sensor activation and more.
3. SolarGlow LED solar path lights 6-pack. One of our favorite solar lanterns for pathways, SolarGlow offers a lifetime warranty and holds up to the weather better than many comparable options and they turn on automatically at dusk.
4. Ohuhu stainless steel solar garden lights 6-pack. Like SolarGlow’s path lights, Ohuhu’s decorative solar lanterns hold up in all weather. They also automatically turn on and off.
5. URPOWER 2-in-1 waterproof 4 LED adjustable solar spotlight. The highlight of URPOWER’s solar spotlight is the ease with which it can be customized, including angles, power, and whether or not it turns on and off automatically with dawn and dusk.

What is the best solar lantern?

Truthfully, the best solar lantern is the one that works for you and meets your illumination and charge needs. For some people who are using their solar lanterns as mood lighting, for instance, such as with decorative solar lanterns, a lumen range of up to a few hundred is probably perfect; for others, who want to be able to use their solar lantern to really see what they’re doing even on pitch-black nights, more lumens may be needed. Similarly, the duration for which each lantern will hold a charge, as well as how quickly they may charge, are important considerations. And if you’re backpacking, for instance, size and weight may also be considerations. (Even better, plenty of the best newer solar lanterns for camping come with cool extras, like USB capabilities so you can charge other devices, too!)

That said, check out our 5 best solar lanterns for camping.

5 Best Solar Lanterns For Camping

1. MPOWERD Luci Pro Outdoor 2.0. Not only was the Luci one of the first collapsible solar lanterns, it’s still one of the very best. Not only does it offer two-way USB charging, but it’s light (5.5 oz), bright (150 lumens), incredibly efficient, and the warm white light is great for in-tent ambiance. Additionally, the snappable handle makes it incredibly easy to hang inside your tent as well. The charging option isn’t enough to fully charge up an iPhone, for instance, but it’s enough to top off—and far more charging power than any other comparable solar lantern.
2. Goal Zero Crush Light Solar Powered Lantern. The Crush Light is one of the lightest backpacking solar lanterns (3.2 oz), but doesn’t skimp on quality as a result—offering a warm orange-yellow color that helps make camp feel homey as well as better reserve power than most other solar lanterns. After the lantern dies, it often still has much as an hour of power on the low setting. It doesn’t have a battery power indicator, unfortunately, but it charges quickly and feels like home.
3. BioLite SunLight. The drawback first: BioLite’s SunLight solar lantern does not charge particularly quickly unless charging by USB. That said, once fully charged it lasts far longer than most comparable lanterns, and its slim profile makes it easy to pack. It also offers a party mode, in which it cycles through different colors.
4. LuminAID PackLite Hero 2-in-1 Supercharger. Though definitely not one of the cheaper options, the PackLite Hero Supercharger packs down to less than an inch thick while offering the option of expanding into a six-inch cube in camp. While some users report occasional quality control issues, LuminAID is great about replacements and customer service, in addition to regularly donating solar lanterns to humanitarian efforts and disaster relief. As far as the waterproof and dustproof solar lantern itself goes, it offers two-way USB recharging and an incredible 300 lumens. Additionally, carabiner loops on the straps mean you can readily strap it to your pack, meaning it can charge while you hike. One potential drawback: Some users say the light is too white and too bright for an enjoyable campsite experience.
5. AGPTEK Hand Crank Solar Lantern. The best part of AGPTEK’s solar lantern is the hand crank capacity, meaning that you can create light on demand even if there isn’t any solar power from which to draw. That, combined with its small, handheld size makes it a great solar lantern for nighttime trips to the bathroom, for instance. That said, it isn’t the best choice for an all-around campsite lantern, as charges don’t necessarily last that long (the light begins dimming rather quickly) if you are not using the hand crank. Kids love the hand crank, though, and for the price point, this is a great introduction to solar lanterns for families car camping.

What is solar lighting system?

When it comes to solar lighting systems, you might think of individual lights, such as solar lanterns, but there are also bigger systems. Let’s spend a moment looking at the different types of solar lighting systems:

1. Solar Sky Lights. Solar skylight systems work with solar panels and an intrinsic sense of outdoor light to provide fluctuating lighting as needed (such as when there is cloud cover during a time of day when you would normally expect natural light).
2. Photovoltaic Lights. Photovoltaic modules store solar energy to be used as needed later, such as for nighttime lighting or as a backup emergency system. (These systems are also sometimes referred to as grid-free or stand-alone systems.)
3. Hybrid Solar Lights. Hybrid systems are sometimes also referred to as peak reduction systems, where they work in concert with utility systems already in place. These systems vary widely, but also have some of the most common applications as they work with the electrical grid already in place.

Resources:

• https://www.sepco-solarlighting.com/blog/bid/121274/what-is-solar-lighting
• https://www.ledwatcher.com/what-is-solar-lighting-and-what-are-its-advantages/
• https://www.bestsolartech.com/how-to-charge-solar-lights-without-sun/
• https://www.thesolaradvantage.net/how-to-charge-solar-lights-without-the-sun/
• https://www.greenwindsolar.com/how-to-charge-solar-lights-without-sun/
• http://bestreviews.com/best-outdoor-solar-lights
• https://mozaw.com/best-solar-lights-for-outdoor-garden-security-landsape/
• https://www.thesolaradvantage.net/solar-path-lights/
• https://morningchores.com/best-solar-lights/
• https://bestsurvival.org/best-solar-lantern/
• http://momgoescamping.com/best-solar-lanterns/
• https://www.globosurfer.com/best-solar-lanterns-for-camping-and-backpacking/
• https://solartechnologyhub.com/best-solar-powered-camping-lanterns-for-outdoors-top-10-reviews/
• https://www.99boulders.com/best-solar-camping-lanterns

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Best NuFace Device

What is NuFACE?

NuFACE products work by utilizing microcurrents. Microcurrents are low-level currents that work by mimicking the body’s natural currents to provide both instant and cumulative anti-aging effects. Even better, because the treatment works on a sub-sensory level, most people feel nothing or feel a soothing sensation.

Microcurrent facial toning device treatments are often even referred to as a “5-minute facial lift,” courtesy how quickly it works to offer a healthier, more youthful appearance. As a general idea, microcurrent works by boosting ATP production, which in turn stimulates both collagen and elastin. And, as you may well know, that increased collagen and elastin, as well as re-energized facial muscles, results in a lifted appearance.

Best conductive gel for NuFACE

Of course, for microcurrents to work well on your facial skin, you need a conductive gel to take that current from the facial toning device and to your skin’s tissues. NuFACE offers a primer gel, and most practitioners use that. However, as the priming gel contains propylene glycol, some individuals prefer to use aloe vera as a more natural conductive gel option. NuFACE’s preferred treatment actually suggests using the NuFACE Serum to help prep your skin for the NuFACE Primer for best results, as the serum purports to help prep your skin for the primer, and consequently offers maximum microcurrent conductivity.

Can I use aloe vera gel as conductive gel?

Yes! In fact, some people recommend using aloe vera gel (which is naturally good for your skin anyway, as it helps remoisturize tissue) as a conductive gel rather than the primer gel that is often recommended with microcurrent treatments or a facial toning device.

Can I use ultrasound gel with my NuFACE?

Technically, you probably could—but you might not want to. Ultrasound gel is a decent conductive gel—though its use in ultrasound applications is to help transmit radio waves rather than electrical currents—but it can cause irritation with some people’s skin and isn’t necessarily cheaper than other priming gels, nor is it necessarily any better for your skin. And if the whole point of using a facial toning device is to make your skin look better, that kind of defeats the purpose, doesn’t it?

Can you use oil with NuFACE?

In order for microcurrents to effectively work in your skin’s tissues, you need a conductive gel to help transfer that current from the device to your skin’s tissues. Oil, however, is not a very good electrical conductor, and can actually inhibit the microcurrent and act as a barrier between the facial toning device and your skin’s tissues. As a result, you definitely do not want to use oil. (Not to mention that you probably don’t want to put oil on your face as part of your skincare regiment to begin with, but that’s a separate topic.)

Similarly, any sort of oil-based product, whether an actual skincare product or an alternative like petroleum jelly (Vaseline) or even KY jelly will not work very well with your facial toning device and may, given that oil-based products are not very good conductors and can effectively create a barrier instead, limit the effectiveness of the skincare treatments.

Can I use water with NuFACE?

The better question might be, why would you want to? In order for any microcurrent-based facial toning device to work, you need a good conductive gel to help that electrical current gently stimulate your skin tissue. While water is technically considered a conductor, it isn’t a particularly effective one compared to the many other options out there—some of which might also offer other skincare benefits. For instance, if you’re considering water because you don’t want to put chemicals on your skin or because you have sensitive skin that easily reacts to other substances, aloe vera gel might be a good option. Not only is it a better conductor than water, but it also helps remoisturize your skin’s tissues far better than water (which can actually dry your skin out or result in increased facial oil secretion in response to that drying process, neither of which you likely want). You may, however, want to use a spray bottle to mist your skin in combination with the aloe vera gel to help keep your skin moist (as the aloe vera gel can dry out on your skin) during your facial toning device treatment.

What can I use instead of conductive gel?

Technically, you wouldn’t have to use a conductive gel of any sort—but why wouldn’t you want to help ensure the microcurrents are most effectively stimulating your skin tissue when using your facial toning device? If the expense is a consideration (some priming gels can be quite pricy) or if you’re worried about sensitive skin or looking for a more natural alternative, aloe vera gels (provided they are pure, of course) can be a great alternative, for instance, and aloe vera gels can offer additional benefits in the way they help moisturize your skin tissue.

Our Happy Planet used the following resources for this article:

https://www.mynuface.com/pages/faq
https://www.mynuface.com/pages/microcurrent
https://community.qvc.com/t5/Beauty/Conductive-Gel-for-Microcurrent-Machines/td-p/872772
https://sonosupplies.com/blogs/learn/what-can-you-use-instead-of-ultrasound-gel-alternatives
https://www.quora.com/Is-petroleum-jelly-safe-to-use-on-electronics-Is-it-an-electrical-conductor
https://intothegloss.com/2016/04/microcurrent-treatment/
https://www.organicauthority.com/energetic-health/i-tried-the-nuface-and-nubody-microcurrent-toning-devices-and-they-worked

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7 Best Recycled Paper Towels

Recycled Paper Towels

One of the biggest trends for home cleaning right now are recycled paper towels. With more and more parents choosing eco-friendly products for housecleaning, the editors at Our Happy Planet decided to tackle some of the popular questions people have about paper towels as well as provide our suggestions of what the best recycled paper towel products are on the market!

Can you flush paper towels?

While some sewage systems are better equipped to handle paper towels than others, it’s generally a bad idea to flush paper towels. That’s mostly the result of the fibers used in paper towels and toilet paper; unlike toilet paper, which is designed to dissolve quickly inside your toilet and plumbing, paper towels are designed to withstand and absorb liquid without falling apart. After all, that’s why you use paper towels—to pick up liquids!

As a result, paper towels have a tendency to get stuck in the toilet trap, or if not there, then farther down your plumbing system in the main stack, forming a clog in the drain. Even if your plumbing is able to pass paper towels, they might still stick in sewage pumps or septic tanks, and odds are good you’ll end up needing to call a plumber. So don’t flush paper towels!

Are paper towels biodegradable?

The short answer? Yes and no. Most paper towels will break down, and paper towels can be great composting material. As to whether or not you should compost paper towel, however, depends a bit on how you use them.

For instance, if you use a paper towel to wipe up chemicals or oily foods, that paper towel can contaminate your compost and you should really just throw it away. Similarly, paper towels often don’t work for recycling because they already use short paper fibers (and often might already be made from recycled paper; these paper towels are sometimes even sold as recycled paper towels).

In general, though, most paper towels are biodegradable. Bounty, for instance, claims their paper towels are certified by the US Composting Council to compost in 60 days or less, and most other paper towels are made to a similar biodegradable standard.

What are recycled paper towels made of?

Recycled paper towels are similar to other paper towels—except that they are more sustainably sourced because they are made from recycled materials. In general, recycled paper towels are at least 80% post-consumer recycled fiber—meaning that at most 20% of their fiber is virgin wood product. As a result, not only is less water consumed in the production of recycled paper towels, but fewer trees need to be logged as well. The best recycled paper towels further limit their environmental impact in other ways, too; for instance, most paper towels use chlorine and bleaching to get that white color, but many recycled paper towels do not (and are brown as a result). Additionally, many recycled paper towels are made with no added dyes, inks or fragrances—yet another way you can limit the environmental impact of your paper towel use. Check out our favorite recycled paper towels below.

7 best recycled paper towels 2019

1. Seventh Generation 100% Recycled Paper Towels – Unbleached. Seventh Generation has a reputation for earth-friendly products, and these nontoxic paper towels are no exception.
2. White Cloud Green Earth Recycled Paper Towels. Again 100% recycled materials, these nontoxic paper towels are great for cleaning up most spills. (They are not, however, the best at absorbing liquids, so for especially wet messes, another brand may be a better option.) 
3. Marcal Small Steps Recycled Paper Towels. One of the stronger recycled paper towels, these nontoxic paper towels are better than many other recycled brands at wet messes, as they’re less prone to the disintegration slightly more common among recycled paper towels.
4. Green Forest 100% Recycled Paper Towels. One of the best chlorine-free options, these nontoxic paper towels are whitened without the chemical processes common in other white paper towel options. Additionally, with a minimum of 90% post-consumer recycled content, they’re one of the most recycled paper towels.
5. 365 Everyday Value 100% Recycled Paper Towels. Whole Food’s store brand performs comparably with Seventh Generation, which is far better than most store brands can say. Given that they’re also frequently more affordable than Seventh Generation, this is likely the better budget-conscious choice for many shoppers looking at nontoxic paper towels.
6. Seventh Generation 100% Recycled Paper Towels—Bleached. While not as environmentally friendly as the unbleached version, unfortunately, they sometimes hold up better when extremely saturated, meaning that for some shoppers, this Seventh Generation option is a better choice when it comes to recycled paper towels for messy homes.
7. Scott Naturals Mega Roll. While the option to choose a size is a nice touch, unfortunately, Scott’s recycled paper towels are not all that sturdy. We’d recommend any of the six above over this choice—but it is still a good choice for nontoxic paper towels simply because it is made of post-consumer content.

Of course, you also have other choices than simply using recycled paper towels when it comes to lessening your environmental impact. For instance, consider these 10 eco-friendly paper towel alternatives, each of which can help you keep your home clean without the guilt of using paper products.

10 eco-friendly paper towel alternatives

1. Microfiber Cleaning Cloths. Not only are microfiber towels and cleaning cloths super absorbent, but they’re easily washable and last seemingly forever. Use a little bit of a green eco-friendly cleaning solution and you can clean up just about any mess, no matter how crazy your kids might be!
2. Cotton Napkins. Unlike paper napkins or paper towels, cotton is easily washable, and add a touch of class should you use them as part of your place settings, too!
3. Unpaper Towels. With a mix of cotton and linen, Unpaper towels are incredibly friendly to your budget (they’re affordable and reusable) and the environment. They’re also soft, and they work well for most messes (though they aren’t always the most absorbent).
4. If You Care Reusable Paper Towels. Made of a mix of wood fiber, salt (which aids in absorbency), and cotton, these nontoxic paper towels are up to 16 times more absorbent than ordinary paper towels—and did we mention they’re reusable?
5. Popup Sponges. The joy of popup sponges is that they take very little space (when dry, they’re nearly as flat as a piece of paper), expand as they soak up liquids, and they last seemingly forever. They also wash quite easily; while machine washable, simply rinsing and wringing them out usually works, making them a great nontoxic paper towels alternative.
6. Bambooee. Made from—you guessed it—bamboo, these paper towel substitutes can withstand up to 100 washes before they begin falling apart, drastically lessening your impact. Even better, they’re machine washable.
7. Three Blue Birds. With a consistency similar to a sponge, these wood fiber and cotton wipes have a mix of flexibility and durability that makes them great for cleaning up messes. They’re machine washable, and whenever they do finally start breaking down, they’re also biodegradable, meaning you can simply compost them.
8. Huck Towels. Originally used for surgical implement cleaning, huck towels use low-lint cotton for an extremely soft feel while also being incredibly durable.
9. Reusable Cotton Kitchen Cloths. We’re specifically referring to the textured washcloths and hand towels that your grandmother might have had when you were a kid; they’re making a comeback—and with good reason. They’re soft, easily washable, and great for cleaning up spills both large and small.
10. Sponges. Really, any type of sponge will work well for liquid messes, because what are sponges best known for? Their absorbency. The best part about sponges, too, is how easily rinse-able they are, in addition to generally lasting.

The truth is, as often as not there’s no good reason to still use paper towels, even if recycled paper towels or nontoxic paper towels, because paper towels—no matter how environmentally-friendly, are still not really a reusable product. Instead, consider one of the ten options above.

Just remember that in order to best minimize your impact, you shouldn’t need to wash them after every use, nor should you need to use hot water (which uses significantly more energy than cold water).

Whatever strategy you take, though, good luck with your messes!

Resources for this article on the best recycled paper towels were gathered from the following places:

• https://dhamerplumbing.com/whats-big-deal-flushing-tissues-paper-towels-toilet/
• http://pgbrandsweb.esecurecare.net/app/answers/detail/a_id/1811
• http://confessionsofacomposter.blogspot.com/2017/09/can-you-compost-paper-towels.html
• https://stanfordmag.org/contents/taking-paper-towels-to-the-compost-pile-essential-answer
• https://livegreen.recyclebank.com/column/because-you-asked/when-should-i-compost-paper-instead-of-recycling-it
• https://www.compostinstructions.com/composting-info-paper-towels-are-they-compostable/
• https://www.seventhgeneration.com/paper-towels-unbleached
• https://www.mnn.com/money/green-workplace/stories/recycle-paper-towels-is-it-possible
• http://www.hvmag.com/Blogs/Mama-Greenest/September-2012/Brawny-vs-Recycled-Paper-Towels-How-to-Tell-If-Your-Eco-Friendly-Napkins-Are-Worth-It/
• https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home-products/paper-towels/g353/best-paper-towels/
• https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home-products/paper-towels/a27350/white-cloud-green-earth-recycled-paper-towels/
• https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home-products/paper-towels/a28997/marcal-small-steps-recycled-paper-towels/
• https://www.reviewed.com/home-outdoors/best-right-now/the-best-paper-towels
• https://www.today.com/home/5-best-paper-towels-t148313
• https://abcnews.go.com/Business/consumer-reports-best-worst-paper-towels-rated/story?id=20505382
• https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/eco-friendly-paper-towel-alternatives
• https://www.huffpost.com/entry/12-sustainable-alternatives-to-paper-towels-your-kitchen-needs_n_5a6ba264e4b01fbbefb1d20f
• https://www.homestratosphere.com/paper-towel-alternatives/

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Best Recycled Toilet Paper

Is Recycled Toilet Paper Better For The Environment?

Recycled Toilet Paper Information 

More and more people are looking for simple ways to be more eco-friendly at home, and one of the latest crazes has been recycled toilet paper. Clearly, most people understand the importance of recycling paper, but what they do no know is the average American now uses approximately 20,000 sheets of toilet paper annually. This is why alternatives such as recycled toilet paper are becoming more popular. First of all, recycled toilet paper does not mean used toilet paper so get that idea out of your head. For a quick breakdown of what recycled toilet paper is basically recycled toilet paper is created via “Post Consumer” recycled items known as (PCR). This PCR paper is typically content that was once used in offices or homes that is recycled into toilet paper. Our Happy Planet understands people have questions about recycled toilet paper so lets take a moment to address some of those frequently asked questions and facts about recycling toilet paper!

Can I recycle used toilet paper

Recycled toilet paper is still a better option than the traditional toilet paper brands like Scott Extra Soft, Soft’N Gentle, White Cloud, and others, but the best option is to not use toilet paper at all. However, we will discuss zero waste toilet paper alternatives later. Recycled toilet paper, or any recycled product for that matter, is critical in the preservation of trees, protection of habitats and most importantly keeping drinking water safe. Therefore, we encourage anyone interested in using recycled toilet paper to lobby their local grocery store to bring these eco-friendly products to the shelves, or to purchase recycled toilet paper from online stores.

What is the healthiest toilet paper?

Unfortunately, there are not as many options for recycled toilet paper as there should be, but some of our picks for the best recycled toilet paper include the following brands:

• Seventh Generation Recycled Bath Tissue
• Green Forest 100% Recycled Bathroom Tissue

Is it better to flush or throw away toilet paper?

Many people wonder do you flush or throw away toilet paper when trying to be the most environmentally friendly. Understanding what happens to toilet paper when you flush it and the impact of placing toilet paper in the trash versus throwing it away is important. For example, when toilet paper is flushed down the toilet nearly 95% of the toilet paper is broken down, dissolving into water. That is the good news, but the bad news is the 5% that is not dissolved into water often becomes sludge waste. Not to mention, the bacteria used to break down the toilet paper releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that is a negative for the environment. On the other side, throwing toilet paper away means that it will certainly end up in a public landfill. Toilet paper finding its resting place in a landfill will take years to break down, and more release of greenhouse gases.

From a eco-friendly standpoint, flushing toilet paper is better than throwing toilet paper in the trash.

Does toilet paper have BPA?

One of the most popular questions people ask about recycled toilet paper is does toilet paper have BPA? The answer unfortunately is yes that toilet paper does have mall amounts of BPA in it, which should be a concern given BPA dangers have included hormone level disruption, heart problems and cancer. According to an article published in the Journal of Environmental Science and Technology BPA was found in small traces in a wide variety of paper recycled items. One of these products was recycled toilet paper. The reason for the BPA exposure is likely due to when various paper products are recycled such as labels for shipping and old receipts (paper items known to contain small amounts of BPA), they get mixed with other paper items that leads to cross-contamination of recycled toilet paper and other recycled paper. However, discussing the reality of BPA being present in recycled toilet paper is not meant to scare people away from the products, but rather inform. The reason is because higher levels of BPA are found in receipts, and every day people are exposed to credit card receipts, absorbing the BP through touch.

Toilet Paper Alternatives

Using recycled toilet paper is far better for the environment than purchasing more popular brands of toilet paper such as Angel Soft, Charmin, and Kirkland. However, the best toilet paper alternatives are solutions that eliminate toilet paper altogether. That means using water instead of toilet paper with a bidet, or opting for reusable  flannel wipes instead of toilet paper.

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