I often say guilt-inducing eco-messaging tends not to incite me into action, but an arguably eco-preachy note I saw at the Monterey Bay Aquarium changed what I did today.
Above’s the culprit, a.k.a. sign posted on the paper towel dispenser in the aquarium’s restroom. After seeing the note, I dried my hands on my jeans — then walked back to my hotel room to grab my reusable PeopleTowel.
PeopleTowels are a reusable alternative to paper towels in public bathrooms — an alternative that lets you bypass the paper towel vs. air dryer conundrum altogether. The towel’s made of organic, fair trade cotton by a women-founded company that’s a proud member of 1% for the planet.
Why’s my towel in a glasses case? That’s thanks to a tip that my friend Jamie Kiffel-Alcheh, editor of Vital Juice, gave me. Basically, the case keeps the slightly damp towel from dampening my purse.
How do you dry your hands after using a public restroom? Paper, dryer, PeopleTowel — or some other option?
By the way — The Monterey Bay Aquarium’s green bathroom initiatives don’t end with the paper towels. Below’s the note above the toilet flush handle!
Earlier: At Monterey Bay Aquarium’s annual Sustainable Foods Institute event — Paul Hawken wants you to take back your tastebuds
Love this story.
Comment by Madge — May 20, 2010 @ 4:48 pm
In China, there are a lot of places with a similar toilet system, and even in many households, where the toilet has two buttons on top. I don’t know why we’re so behind the times!
Comment by jenny — May 20, 2010 @ 8:02 pm
Anything which gets the message of sustainability and careful use of earth’s resources is good. Thank you for posting this!
Comment by heckety — May 22, 2010 @ 2:11 pm
Hi Siel
Again,walking your talk in showing folks how the USA can be creative in bettering itself greenwise,huh?
Kudos to you. Yeah,I love those messages to make people act in a small but powerful reflex way,
Have a fab Memorial Day to come! I might be in France right now,but I shall do memorial Day! ;)
Comment by Pascal — May 24, 2010 @ 5:33 am
The nature center in my town still has those old-school rolling towel dispensers. Every couple of weeks, the laundry comes back to bring fresh ones and take away the used rolls for washing.
Is that fairly eco-friendly, or does the carbon footprint due to transport cancel out benefits of using towels?
I use towels in my own home, and I usually wipe my hands on the my jeans when I go out (only when I’m fancy fancy do I use paper towels). I was aghast to find out that some people use paper towels in their home bathroom or for drying dishes! Also a big pet peeve: the number of towels kids seem to think they need for drying their hands. I work with kids, and when it is hand washing time I literally stand in the bathroom handing out one paper towel per kid — no more.
Leah´s last blog ..Thanks, mom!
Comment by Leah — May 24, 2010 @ 6:20 am
My wife and I were there on Thursday (had we known in advance about the celebrity chef thing in advance, we’d've rearranged our schedule a bit). My wife reported that the dual flush toilet didn’t quite work for her. As a guy, I had other options available for me.
Lunch at the restaurant was fantastic, and it was nice to be able to not worry about whether an entree was sustainable or not. Alas, I got a bit of something which didn’t agree with my digestive system.
Don Hosek´s last blog ..The Streets of Santa Monica (in alphabetical order): Delaware Avenue
Comment by Don Hosek — May 24, 2010 @ 10:59 am
I love my PeopleTowel!! I was introduced to them at the Green Festival in San Francisco and have been carrying one everywhere I go. Super cute and handy!
Comment by LWT — May 24, 2010 @ 2:32 pm
Leah — You must’ve been doubly aghast when Kleenex started marketing disposable at home towels — with the idiotic marketing message that reusable towels are unclean!
Don — Do the guy’s bathrooms have waterless urinals?
Comment by Siel — June 19, 2010 @ 3:06 pm
I pretty much always just dry my hands on my pants, I try to avoid touching anything in public restrooms if possible, ha – I love the sign on the paper towel dispenser, I should almost put up some of those around my apartment
Luke´s last blog ..Can a Saltwater Aquarium Snail Flip Itself Over
Comment by Luke — September 25, 2010 @ 9:53 am
Great Post. Keep It. Bookmarked on Live!
Comment by Lary — November 9, 2011 @ 10:47 pm