Eco-friendly paper towels: bamboo, recycled and select-a-size

Bamboo, recycled or virgin pulp

• Bamboo: made from a fast-growing grass. How it is grown, processed and shipped varies, and views on its overall impact differ. Check what the maker says and how they support it.
• Recycled: made from recovered paper. The label may state the recycled content. Absorbency and strength vary by brand.
• Virgin pulp: made directly from trees. If forest sourcing matters to you, look for FSC labels.
• Reusable cloths: not paper, but they can replace many sheets. Their cost depends on how often you wash and replace them.

Our angle: select-a-size sheets and the sheet-count trap

Many rolls have perforations that let you tear a half sheet. A package may advertise the number of full sheets, or the number of half sheets, and the same roll can look twice as long or half as long depending on which it counts. Roll names such as Double, Mega and Family are set by each company and do not mean the same amount of paper. The way to compare fairly is the total area, in square feet, which many labels print. Divide the price by the area and multiply by 100 to get the price per 100 square feet.

1. Find the total square feet on the package. If it is not shown, multiply the sheet count by the sheet size.
2. Divide the price by the area, then multiply by 100.
3. Compare that number across brands, bamboo and recycled alike.

Buying tips

• Absorbency is personal. Try a small pack of a new type before you stock up.
• Store large packs where they stay dry and out of direct sun.
• Compare subscriptions with your usual store on the same price per 100 square feet.
• Look at the packaging. Plastic-free wrapping is a specific claim you can check.