Most paper tissues are made from trees harvested from Nordic Boreal forests (home to bears, moose, elk etc) and sold in plastic packaging. So switching to alternative brands makes a huge difference, and costs no more. Although washable hankies (below) are good, often disposable paper tissues are often needed for certain people and places, to prevent infection.
Recycled Paper Tissues
Recycled paper tissues come from post-consumer waste, like old newspapers and office paper. This process means fewer trees are cut down, which is a big win for forests everywhere. By choosing these tissues, you’re helping decrease deforestation and the energy used in making fresh paper. Every time you use a recycled tissue, you’re making a positive impact.
Serious Tissues offers quality paper tissues as nice on your nose as premium brands, but these are made from 100% recycled paper, in plastic-free packaging. As well as being free from dyes or scents, these tissues are produced in the Midlands, creating employment for local people.
Made from old cereal boxes and newspaper), each delivery includes 6 packs of 72 tissues, in thick 3-ply size. The tissues are naturally off-white, using a non-chlorine bleaching agent to remove colour from recycled magazines and documents. Save 10% on monthly deliveries.
The company can also supply wholesale to doctor surgeries, hospitals, offices, hotels etc. The brand was founded by four fathers (collectively to eight children), who wished to do something to help. A tree is planted for each box sold (a million trees and counting) to store carbon and provide homes for wildlife.
Who Gives a Crap? is best-known for its toilet paper, but also sells recycled paper tissues in paper packaging. Each box has 60 tissues of strong 3-ply tissues with no scents or dyes. The company says these tissues are so strong, they can handle the strongest sneezes (even ones that sound like a mini-scream). Salud!
And due to the company’s main product being toilet paper, 50% of profits from this wonderful company go to providing clean sanitation for people worldwide.
Bamboo Tissues
Bamboo tissues are made from bamboo plants, which can shoot up a metre a day. Unlike traditional trees, bamboo regenerates after it’s cut. This growth makes it an excellent sustainable option. Bamboo tissues are soft, strong, and naturally hypoallergenic. They offer a double benefit of a plush touch while being eco-friendly.
Naked Sprout (code englandnaturally for 10% discount) offers bamboo facial tissues, in zero waste packaging. In various sizes, these are free from scent and cost the same per tissue as leading brands. The super-soft 2 ply tissues are seriously strong, and free from bleach or scents.
Switch Back to Old-Fashioned Hankies
Switching to organic cotton hankies is an effective ‘small swap’ idea. Organic cotton uses 91% less water than conventional cotton and is super-soft on your nose (important when you’ve got the sniffles!) And because organic cotton is not treated with chemicals, it’s safer to grow for wildlife and farmers. And the fibres last longer, so these hankies take longer to disintegrate from nose-blowing!
LittleLeaf Organic makes nice organic cotton hankies (made with solar power, and sold in recycled cardboard boxes). These hankies are sold in a variety of cute designs including bicycles, turtles and gardening. You can also buy sets of three hankies in a box (including a festive Christmas edition with trees).
The family packs contain 9 hankies and make a great affordable zero waste gift. Each one has a discreet LittleLeaf organic logo in the corner. You can also use them to wipe your face in hot weather or mop up little spills, then just throw them in the wash (where due to natural materials, they won’t release microplastics in the machine). They’re even made in a solar-powered factory!
HankyBook has reinvented the handkerchief! This compact ‘book’ of soft organic cotton ‘pages’ with a protective outer cover was invented by an engineering student. Just ‘turn the page’ for a fresh hanky! Made in San Diego (USA), you then just ‘pull the pages apart’ to wash in the machine.
Also good to stop fogging up your glasses or deal with running make-up, the protective cover keeps your hands, pockets and bag clean, and helps to prevent infection. Although it’s made abroad, there’s nothing like it (yet) in England, and one purchase should last years.
An Organic Cotton Tissue Dispenser
Last Tissue (USA) is an invention designed to replace 3000 single-use paper tissues (mostly made from trees in Boreal forests that are home to bears, moose and elk). This features a silicone case that contains 6 organic cotton handkerchiefs that are easy to retrieve and stash. Then wash and use again.
To use, just pull a tissue from the dispenser, which features a hygienic way to separate clean and used tissues. After blowing your nose, just place it in the top. Designed to break even on carbon emissions after 72 uses, the thick tight-woven cotton absorbs well so it doesn’t get damp, and the material gets softer with use.
Launder in a mesh bag, to stop them getting cost in the machine. You can clean the case in the dishwasher or with hand sanitiser.
