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The most brainwashed product of the decade? Tissue paper. Let’s be honest — a decade ago, no one needed tissue papers to function. Homes specially kitchen ran fine. Parties happened. Kids were raised. Restaurants served food. Hygiene was maintained. Travel was seamless. Life was normal. And then came the wave. Of soft, white, extra-ply, extra-hyped tissue papers. All of a sudden, tissue paper was everywhere. Restaurants started judging themselves by it. Parents started being judged for it. And if a café or events didn’t offer tissue paper it wasn’t “premium” or “classy” enough. It became a symbol of care. Of class. Of being “modern.” And we the consumers bought the idea and became the slave of convenience . Literally. We keep blaming plastic, but ignore the cost of tissue paper. Tissues are single-use, high-resource, and over-glorified often worse than the plastic bag we banned. So next time you’re crying about plastic… …maybe put down the tissue first. #sustainability
My Mrs could destroy a whole forest with the amount of tissues she uses...I hate the damn things...Here's how to save trees...What do you think...
I’ve been sick for the past few days after getting caught in the rain, and I can tell you—tissue paper was a lifesaver. When you’ve got a cold and a runny nose, nothing really replaces it. A handkerchief just can’t be used a hundred times, and most people don’t own more than seven anyway. When you’re sick, you need a clean cloth every single time to avoid spreading infection, and that’s simply not possible with handkerchiefs alone. Sure, in many situations tissue paper is overused or just followed as a trend, but in moments like these, it’s genuinely practical. Like any tool, it should be used in a limited and mindful way, but outright rejecting it or calling it useless isn’t fair.
No offences, your concerns are correct but example/reference are not. In that era Restaurants/ Cafes were not in trend actually. Newspapers were used (I can say atleast for us Indians) for cleaning hands after eating chaat or any other snack at a roadside shop or thela. But when people realized that newspaper was even more dirty and unsuitable (because of paper hardness, spoiling leftover ink on hands etc.), then came the use of Tissues. Also I hope you agree, that men can always carry hankerchief in their pockets (be it trouser or pajama or even in baniyan pocket) but in that era women use to wear only sarees and suits where they couldn't carry a hanky except in hands (which they might forget before leaving from home even today also). Can you answer honestly, if you forget carrying a hankerchief before leaving home, what will you use for cleaning hands ? (I am sure you will not wipe with the back of your dress). Therefore, I believe tissues are necessary (infact irreplaceable now), its just that if people stop wasting it, then it will bring a big change for helping the globe. No offences again 🙏
I switched from kitchen towels to fabric napkins last year - a great decision. It was the most straightforward swap ever. I've only brought one replacement roll and only use it for really gross messes.
I agree 💯 Brilliant post — thank you for calling this out. Just like we shifted to steel bottles over plastic ones, tote bags over polybags, and thrifting over fast fashion, maybe it’s time we rethink tissues too. Reusable napkins or bamboo-based alternatives could easily become part of that same sustainable lifestyle shift!
Great points! 👍 Tissue papers can be a better option when paired with proper waste segregation—they’re recyclable and biodegradable if disposed of correctly. The real challenge is changing litter habits and culture. It’s also crucial to educate that tissue papers are not toilet papers and shouldn’t be flushed, as this causes drain blockages of sewage lines and flooding. One concern: tissue papers often contain phthalates, which are linked to cancer risks. So while tissues offer convenience, overuse contributes to waste and potential health hazards. Handkerchiefs and cloth napkins are more sustainable but can carry infection risks. Ultimately, the solution lies in mindful use and greener production.
Insightful, thank you, pankti pandey. Which application are you referring to? There are household and commercial usages where the LCA can flip in preference for tissues. I think this is quite a far-fetched topic. While the question of classy image in large establishments is referred, I have seen those "posh" restaurants use fabric as hand towels, even in their washrooms. The usage profile for tissue paper is full of assumptions when one tries to do an LCA. Better to justify this post with data on the LCA and specific usage details. Else, one would be actually doing more harm than good trying to make such switches!
pankti pandey I think Tissues are ecofriendly, plastics have problems in Degrdation takes whole recycling chain to recycle up to certain limit. Tissues if used in disciplined way it has much more advantages than plastic.
i totally agree with you. most of the time people will use the tissue paper for something in between the food and even if the tissue paper is fairly clean it will be thrown away and next would be picked up. i have seen people using 5-6 tissue papers while eating a simple pizza. i used to keep a handkerchief during my school i never lost one then came this wave and i gave into it i stopped carrying handkerchiefs and started using the tissue but almost a year back i realized that why did i change a perfectly fine habit of mine and then i again carrying The OGs.
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2moActually…. Tissue boxes have been around forever. My grandmother used to knit these little boxes over the Kleenex box. But you know what is brainwashed. Bringing water bottles to your kids game, to work, to the gym, we used to use a thermos or just wait! Imagine that !