Eco-friendly paper napkins: recycled, unbleached and cloth alternatives

What to read on the label

• Recycled content: may state how much of the paper is recycled and whether it is post-consumer. A specific statement is more useful than the word eco-friendly.
• Unbleached: the paper has not been bleached white, so it is brown. It describes color and process.
• FSC: FSC stands for Forest Stewardship Council. Its labels describe how the fiber was sourced, and which products carry one is for you to check on the package.
• Plies: more plies mean a thicker napkin. You may use fewer napkins per meal, but that depends on you.
• Size and fold: dinner, luncheon and cocktail napkins are different sizes, so compare like with like.
• Printed designs: inks and dyes are listed in the ingredients less often, so if you are sensitive, choose plain.

Our angle: cloth napkins and the break-even

Paper napkins cost little each, but you use them every day. A set of cloth napkins costs more at first, then adds laundry. To compare, divide the price of a pack of paper napkins by the count, and estimate how many you use in a month. Divide the price of a cloth set by that monthly cost to get the number of months to break even, then add a little for laundry. For everyday use, a mix often works: cloth at home, paper for guests or picnics. For paper napkins, buy the size you use, since a big pack of the wrong size is waste.

1. Divide the pack price by the napkin count.
2. Estimate your monthly use and cost.
3. Divide the cloth set price by the monthly cost for the break-even.

Buying tips

• Buy a small pack first. Feel and absorbency vary.
• Compare dispenser packs with pack sizes for the same count.
• Check plastic-free wrapping, a specific packaging claim.
• Compare subscriptions with the price per 100 napkins in stores.

Other stores

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