6 Reusable Paper Towel Alternatives For Less Kitchen Waste

Let’s Build A Zero Waste Kitchen

According to the Sierra Club, we cut down up to 110,000,000 trees per year for various goods, including paper, toilet paper, and paper towels. Many of these items are single-use, used just once before ending up in a landfill. And it’s not cost-effective either, with many Americans purchasing these goods on a regular basis.

When we begin to imagine how many paper towels we use over the course of even just a day, it’s easy to see how this adds up. So we’ve rounded up reusable paper towel alternatives (plus one brand making tree-free paper towels) that are durable, long-lasting, and made with sustainability in mind. Your home, wallet, and Mother Nature will thank you.

If you’re looking for more sustainable alternatives to toilet paper, we’ve got you covered here.


1. Well Earth Goods

Standout Ethic | Plastic-free
Made From | 100 percent cotton flannel
Price
| $29 for 12-pack

Well Earth Goods, a family run business in Oregon, wants you to know that a sustainable, zero waste, and plastic-free lifestyle is possible. In addition to using plastic alternatives and recycled packaging, this eco-conscious team offers home goods like its reusable NotPaper Towels that are made with 100 percent biodegradable cotton flannel. With serged edges to prevent fraying and extra-absorbent material, they can replace paper towel rolls, napkins, and cleaning cloths.

Shop Well Earth Goods


2. Marley’s Monsters

Standout Ethic | Donates & upcycles scrap fabric
Made From | 100 percent cotton flannel
Price
| $18.00 for 6-pack

Started by a mother and father out of Eugene, Oregon, Marley’s Monsters brings eco-friendly products and baby goods to the masses. Upcycled or existing scrap fabrics are often used to create its goods like the UNpaper Towels. And for fabrics it no longer needs, Marley’s Monsters donates them to local organizations to reduce waste. Available in dozens of patterns and colors, you can add a little fun and boldness to your daily routine.

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3. Three Bluebirds

Standout Ethic | Gives back via 1% for the Planet
Made From | 30 percent cotton, 70 percent FSC Certified cellulose
Price | $6.95/each

For whimsical, functional, and long-lasting sponge alternatives, check out Three Bluebirds’ Swedish Dishcloths. Created using biodegradable cellulose, cotton, and water-based ink, these cloths will last through more than 200 washes. Plus, they’ll quickly air-dry so bacteria don’t breed. Each purchase helps create impact, too, as Three Bluebirds is committed to donating one percent of its sales to environmental causes.

Shop Three Bluebirds



4. ThreeMain

Standout Ethic | Carbon-neutral company
Made From | 100 percent birdseye weave cotton
Price | $9.99 for 5-pack

ThreeMain is the green cleaning company we’ve always wanted to see. This brand uses only nontoxic ingredients and biodegradable materials for a healthier, safer home. (Plus, it’s 100 percent carbon-neutral as a company!) The Paperless Towels are made using 100 percent birdseye weave cotton, and they’re as durable as they are biodegradable. Pair with ThreeMain’s Starter Kit, and your home will be sparkling.

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5. Etsy

Standout Ethic | Certified B Corp
Made From | Varies, including linens, deadstock fabric, plant fiber, & cotton
Price
| Varies, starting at $8.50

Etsy, a certified B Corp prioritizing people and the planet, helps bring together small businesses, local artisans, and eco-conscious entrepreneurs all in one place. And together, they’re all working towards a more sustainable future using carbon-neutral shipping and upcycled fabrics for tree-free paper towels. Here you can find plenty of reusable paper towels, with varying designs, prices, and materials. You can even learn how to DIY some yourself.

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6. Public Goods

Standout Ethic | Plants trees for each new membership
Made From | Non-GMO bamboo and sugarcane
Price
| $6.25 for 2-pack

For $59 a year, you can gain access to Public Goods’ curated platform of affordable, healthy, and sustainable goods. With each new membership, the team supports the Eden Restoration Project in order to plant more trees. While not reusable, these Tree Free Paper Towels are a stronger, more sustainable alternative to regular paper towels, and are made of non-GMO bamboo and sugarcane. No bleaching, inks, dyes, or BPAs are included, and no trees were harmed in the making of this home good.

Shop Public Goods


Have you made any other sustainable swaps at home? 🍃 Share them in the comments below!


The Good Trade editors endorse products we genuinely love. If you end up making a purchase through one of our affiliate links, we may earn a commission. Learn more here.


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