More Sustainable Toilet Paper (Purex)

One thing that I never posted about that our family does, which is not a zero waste thing but a sustainability thing, is choose toilet paper with an Environmental Choice logo on it.

Purex toilet paper in NZ does; it also has a Forest Stewardship logo on it. The family teases me about it, but there is only one toilet paper I will buy - and that is why. At least then our family is causing demand for the products that recycled paper is used for.

Printer paper as well, can be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council - next time I buy printer paper, you can bet I will be looking for that logo.


In a world full of false claims and brainwashing style ads, it's really great to have an independent certification that exists solely for this reason. From Environmenal Choice's website:

The New Zealand Ecolabelling Trust is a voluntary, multiple specifications based environmental labelling programme, which operates to international standards and principles. Initiated and endorsed by the New Zealand Government, Environmental Choice recognises the genuine moves made by manufacturers to reduce the environmental impacts of their products and provides a credible and independent guide for consumers who want to purchase products that are better for the environment.

From the Forest Stewardship Council's website:

FSC certification is a voluntary, market-based tool that supports responsible forest management worldwide. FSC certified forest products are verified from the forest of origin through the supply chain. The FSC label ensures that the forest products used are from responsibly harvested and verified sources. The FSC Principles and Criteria (P&C) describe how forests can be managed to meet the social, economic, ecological, cultural and spiritual needs of present and future generations. Developed through a strong, multi-stakeholder process, they include managerial aspects as well as environmental and social requirements.

Here is a link to a lengthy PDF about the criterion for Environmental Choice certification:
http://www.environmentalchoice.org.nz/docs/publishedspecifications/ec1307_sanitary_paper_products.pdf