Review of Marcal Small Steps Paper Products

Have you heard the tagline from Marcal products that they have been using since 1950? It’s “Paper from paper not trees” and I believe that it is extremely encouraging in today’s world of eco-friendly changes. Marcal recently provided a statistic that I think is shocking:

In 2009, 98% of tissue products comes from deforestation.

Think about that… doesn’t that make the idea of 100% recycled paper products that much more important? Small Steps from Marcal recently sent me a “starter kit” so that I could sample all of their new 100% recycled paper products. Made from stuff you throw away every day (like junk mail, magazines, catalogs, and office paper), it’s a brilliant solution to the waste problem. (And the products are super soft, absorbent, and high-quality, too!) Because the products are affordable, you won’t feel the good decision you make by buying 100% recycled in a bad way when it comes to budget time, either. (Note: The toilet paper that we tried was one-ply, so it didn't feel as soft as what I'm used to. However, for a one-ply product, it was on par with products that contained all new or only partially recycled paper.)

To see all about Marcal’s dedication to saving tress and the world, visit www.marcalsmallsteps.com You’ll read all about their paper towels, napkins, and toilet paper products!

Wanna Win? We have one Small Steps Starter Kit to giveaway: contains toilet paper, napkins, tissues, and paper towels (Valued at $25)! Just comment here on this post with a way that you have started being more eco-friendly in the past year. It can be anything! You have until September 20th at 11:59 pm CST to get your entries in. (One per person, please.)

Giveaways are subject to complete site rules. (Be sure to give us a way to reach you if you win, and remember that we will never use your email or contact info for anything other than to send your prize.) Good luck, and be sure to check out all of our other giveaways!

*Sample was received for this review.


Comments

  1. We've been eco-friendly much longer than a year. We make our life greener by regularly recycling everything possible. We also use CFLs, Energy Star appliances, and reusable shopping bags. We combine driving trips to save mileage -- and turn things like lights off when not in use. *Thanks* for the giveaway!
    blog[at]theluckyladybug[dot]org

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  2. I have started bringing my reusable bags to the store when I got shopping.

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  3. The children and I have dubbed my husband "the mad unplugger" because he read an article about appliances sucking electricity when they're plugged in and not being used. Now every electrical appliance not necessary is unplugged if we're not using it. He also bought an water saver showerhead so that while soaping up or shaving, you can reduce the flow of water with the touch of a button. It's actually quite worthwhile for my daughter and I when we shave in the shower.

    My husband is also a big recycling fiend; we very rarely have more than a can of actual "trash" each week because everything else is recycled.

    shel704 at aol dot com

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  4. In the past when we recycled it had to be in separate containers, which I wasn't very good at doing. However they changed that to include everything in one container, we now recycle everything.

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  5. We have started switching over to more energy efficient appliances/lightbulbs and using green cleaning supplies.

    khmorgan_00 [at] yahoo [dot] com

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  6. In the past year I have started to be more eco-friendly by buying green cleaning products for my home.

    janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

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  7. we stopped buying ziploc bags! Its been hard but we can do it!

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  8. I've been taking lunch in a reusable bag.

    kristilynngibson(at)gmail(dot)com

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  9. We've eliminated the use of plastic bags. I use recyclable shopping bags for groceries as well as pak-n-mats in place of sandwich baggies for school lunches. We have a big family, so that eliminates alot of waste right there!

    Twincere(at)gmail(dot)com

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  10. Our family takes shorter showers and we have turned down the water heater
    temperature. Also, during the summer months we keep the thermostat set
    at a higher temperature and the opposite during the winter.
    Thanks, Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

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  11. We recycle everything in our house and the grandchildren really enjoy learning all about going green!

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  12. We are just trying to buy less. We really try and think out whether we really need to replace something or if just fixing it would be a better choice. Or whether we really need another one at all.

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  13. I've started hanging clothes on the line instead of using the clothes dryer.
    pkildow at gmail dot com

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  14. I use my tote bags all the time for shopping and I recycle most everything

    tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

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  15. I reuse as much as possible!

    frogz60@hotmail.com

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  16. I became a vegan within the past year, and my three kids became vegetarians. We also have made a big improvement in our spending habits. No more impulse buys, and we make every effort to reuse what we have.
    Alicia Webster
    5webs@comcast.net

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  17. use less water mverno@roadrunner.com

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  18. We recycle plastic shopping bags!

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  19. We have been recycling paper, plastic and aluminum. Also changed over to CFL lightbulbs.
    traymona[at]aol.com

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  20. We no longer use plastic bags and bring our own cloth totes to the store.

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  21. We have purchased a number of reusable bags to take to the market when we go shopping. We also recycle now.

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  22. Thank you for the giveaway. We are trying to be more eco friendly and I've been coming up with new ways to add this practice to our daily life.

    Here are a few things we have stated doing:

    *Recycle
    *Eco Friendly "green" cleaners
    *I don't toss things that someone else could use, I give/donate the items.
    *I utilize freecycle to receive things I personally need or others need.
    *I have reusable grocery bags, I do forget them sometimes and when I do, I recyle the bags by using them in various ways in my house.

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  23. I have been turning off and unplugging some appliances when they are not in use.

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  24. I have become more eco-friendly by recyling. Until this year, I just tossed stuff in the garbage. Now, I try to recycle, paper, cardboard, plastic, cans, whatever I can:)

    mscoffee77(AT)juno(DOT)com

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  25. I've started recycling glass and plastic recently.

    brandon_ralston@hotmail.com

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  26. I recycle everything that is allowable.

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  27. i have started using green cleaning products. they clean just as well (if not better) than other products and the small price change is worth it.

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  28. We've always been eco-friendly! We turn off electronics when not in use, grow our own fruits and veggies, use the local library, skip paper plates and cups, hang laundry out to dry and more...
    hi_joan_elliott at hotmail dot com

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  29. We started recycling all we can and I have used my own bags for years now.

    denyse_g@hotmail.com

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  30. I'm a big believer in waste not want not

    edq143@yahoo.com

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  31. Driving less, recycling more.

    adr1001025[at]msn.com

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  32. My son has taken to recycling all the aluminum cans to get a little extra money. The whole family makes an effort to collect the cans for him so he can get his money's worth.
    partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  33. One thing we do is use reusable bags when we go to the grocery store.

    hebert024 at aol dot com

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  34. I use reusable shopping bags now.

    samsakara@twcny.rr.com

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  35. taking reusable bags to all stores...as long as I remember!

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  36. We're using reusable water bottles and we recycle as much as possible.

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  37. currently I'm saving alot of empty toilet paper rolls for a art project! Fun
    KawaiiNeko2008 at aol dot com

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  38. recycling and reusing what we can...

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  39. We have stopped buying bottled water!


    Thanks for entering me! Great Contest!

    Janna Johnson
    janna@FeedYourPigBlog.com
    jannajanna@hotmail.com
    www.FeedYourPigBlog.com

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  40. We have replaced nearly all the home lighting with eco-friendly CFL lightbulbs. The bonus is they last so long!

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  41. To go green, we have eliminated paper towels and napkins, and disposable wraps/covers/lunchbox containers. We use CFLs and have everything on power strips, which we shut off when not in use. We recycle, Freecycle, and compost.
    Jennifer, jennem22 at yahoo dot com

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  42. I have recycled for years, i catch rainwater to water my plants, I save seeds from tomatoes, squash, ect. to plant the next year, I always hang my clothes out to dry even in the coldest winter months, and before my car broke down I got water at the spring. I also walk and bike in town, and use reusable shopping bags. And I watch t.v. with the lights out unless I'm also reading or sewing(by hand).

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  43. I got rid of my old clothes dryer and got a more energy efficient one and we also got programmable thermostats to regulate the temperature in our home when we are not home so that it isn't over using our heat pump

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  44. We recycle, use CFLs, and save energy costs by using a clothesline.

    ms0812@zoominternet.net

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  45. We stopped using paper napkins and use cloth ones instead.

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  46. I recycle everything I can at home and work, use craigslist and Yahoo REUSEIT groups, and shop thrift stores for used items, vs buying new. Thanks for this great contest! lrussel1@rochester.rr.com

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  47. I've cloth diapered both kids, and am trying really hard to recycle more!

    onecrypticmama AT yahoo DOT com

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  48. We try to use green products whenever possible.
    rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com

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  49. We have started to use green cleaning products and recylcling.
    fefebelkin(at)live[dot]com

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  50. We have started to recycle more and changed out all our light bulbs :)

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  51. I try to reuse things as much as possible and if I can't, then recycle them.

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  52. I began to use reusable totes in place of plastic bags while shopping, and I buy as many recycled paper products as I can.

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  53. Luckily our city has a recycling pick-up program. I also try to use reusable shopping bags.

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  54. CF lightbulbs, rechargeable batteries and useable grocery bags.

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  55. I am using eco-friendly laundry detergent and trying to buy green cleaning products as well!
    Thanks
    Sarah
    believedreamcourage (at) gmail.com

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  56. We now only use cold water for laundry.

    droopydog63@hotmail.com

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  57. We go out of our way to not buy plastic.. when we buy glass we reuse it for drinking, canning and storage!

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  58. In the last year, we've started a compost pile, put in a small garden, learned to can and preserve what we grew or bought locally and started using "green" laundry detergent. asthenight at gmail dot com

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  59. We're being more eco friendly by replacing all of our light bulbs with compact florescent. Not only does this save money in the long time, but its saves energy and waste. I'm a big fan of doing everything you can.

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  60. I'm using rags and washin them instead of using paper towels to clean!

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  61. I've started taking the bus to work now that I work at a regular time every day. Since my commute is 45 miles one way, this makes a huge difference. It really does help financially and its nice to be able to relax in the morning.

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  62. We use cloth napkins instead of paper.

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  63. Conserving water sometimes with one flush in the toilet when possible and I try to re-purpose and reuse alot of things, this helps in the Green effort and helps the garbage mans back, guess he's a happy camper too then.
    skyskyaa11(at)gmail.com

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  64. I try to use wash cloths instead of paper towels for cleaning up the babies and for counters. I use vinegar for cleaning and I clean bathrooms with towels destined for the washer. We use cloth napkins instead of paper.

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  65. I have started being more eco-friendly by using green cleaning products.

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  66. I started composting this year which was easy to do!
    tylerpants(at)gmail.com

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  67. We have started using only cloth bags that we bring to the store instead of using the stores plastic bags.

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  68. Thanks for the giveaway... To save energy & $$$, we use smart power strips: all of our electronics (i.e. TV's, computers, printers, etc.) are plugged in to them, preventing wasteful "vampire power drain" when the units are supposedly shut off.

    senorpiero [at] yahoo [dot] com

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  69. I don't use plastic baggies anymore for my lunch! Also, no more plastic water bottles!

    racheliznewman(at)gmail(dot)com

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  70. I've started being more eco-friendly with my dental purchases like mouthwash & toothpaste! trixpixel(at)gmail.com

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  71. I dont buy bottled water anymore. I carry a water bottle that I just refill with water.


    shopgurl101(at)gmail(dot)com

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  72. Besides recycling, I carry my own tote to the grocery store. Thanks

    charisscharity [at] yahoo [dot] com

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  73. I use canvas bags when I go grocery shopping.
    ncschools at yahoo dot com

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  74. I grow my own fruit, veggies and herbs :)

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  75. We've started to become very conscientious about recycling. We drink a lot of soda and throwing away all of those cans si really depressing. We recycle cans, bottles, cardboard, you name it.

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  76. Wr have cut back the temp on the water heater and use recycle bags
    at the store and evergy saver light bulbs

    CharlieGurl57@aol.com

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  77. Our family has started using freecycle.com! In case you are not familiar with it, every community has their own postings where your "junk" that you are throwing out can be listed and picked up by someone that might have a use for it. You can also pick up things that you might have a use for instead of buying more "stuff". Nothing is for sale - everything is free. Its a great system for reusing boxes,appliances, office supplies, cloths, etc...

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  78. Saving Trees is SO important. We have been starting to go green little by little....We recycle and try to use green friendly cleaning products!

    CherryBlossomsDesign at hotmail

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