It is incumbent upon us to do as much as possible now, to address climate change and reduce the burden on future generations to live with the expanding effects of climate change.
Though many of the steps that need to be taken are much larger than the actions of any one individual, there are steps individuals can take that either have a direct impact on addressing climate change, impact the behaviors of a larger entity in an environmentally positive way, or influence a culture to value and adopt a way of living and working that is more sustainable.
One such step involves our purchasing decisions. This is not an easy one as purchasing decisions are driven by personal finances, upbringing, social influences, habits and personal preferences. We often think we can’t possibly make a change because of any one of these factors. The reality, however, is that of course, we can make a change.
We are resilient, adaptable and capable of change. We just need the motivation to do it.
The change in purchasing I am proposing has to do with toilet paper. It may seem like a strange one to focus on, but it is turning out to be a very important one.
The issue concerns the trees being cut down to make the toilet paper. The toilet paper itself cannot be recycled so it is important that when it is manufactured, it is made with recycled materials.
Unfortunately, COSTCO and other companies like Charmin and Bounty (made by Procter & Gamble), are manufacturing and selling toilet paper made from 100% virgin forest fiber. Specifically, they are using trees from Canada’s boreal forest, the most carbon-dense forest in the world.
Not only are they making toilet paper with zero recycled content, they are making it from trees that are holding more carbon than any other trees in the world; carbon that would otherwise be in the atmosphere contributing to the greenhouse effect and climate change.
When those trees are cut down, they can no longer continue to take in carbon through photosynthesis and reduce the overall carbon in the air.
It is possible to buy paper products like toilet paper made from 100% recycled content or other materials like bamboo. Such products have 1/3 the impact on the environment of products made from 100% new material. The problem is, the packaging usually doesn’t tell the purchaser anything about the source of the paper for their toilet paper.
Companies have to assume responsibility for providing a sustainable product whose production isn’t going to directly contribute to climate change and create further hardship for all of us living with the consequences of climate change.
Each of us can encourage the companies manufacturing these products to demonstrate characteristics of good citizens (being good stewards of the earth, taking into account the impact of their choices and behaviors on others, looking out for others in their actions) through our purchasing decisions and communications.
Stop buying COSTCO and Procter & Gamble toilet paper and paper towels until they offer a product with 100% recycled content. Voice your concern about their manufacturing decisions by signing petitions, sending a letter or email or speaking with a store manager. It is up to these companies to sell a more sustainable and responsible product. It is up to each of us to make sure they know that is what we expect them to do.
Toilet paper is not the only product COSTCO sells that does not reflect their motto to “do the right thing.” By making it clear that you do not support their decision to sell such a destructive product you help to show the company and any others paying attention, that you as a consumer expect your supplier of goods to behave in a responsible way by offering products that are not damaging to the environment, that are not contributing to climate change and that do not present a threat to all living things.
And don’t stop with COSTCO. Take your message to all your stores. Let your retailers know, you expect them to provide products that we can all live with.
Any other products should not be on their shelves. Imagine the lesson that it demonstrates to our kids – to see that an individual can influence a company to change its behavior in a globally impactful way. That could give them a reason to feel more hope than despair.