Thursday, August 19, 2010

Marcal (eco-friendly!) Small Steps Perfect for Back to School!

I was talking with several of my friends before school kicked off this week, and we were all amazed by how many paper products were on our back to school shopping lists. From napkins, to tissues, to requests for rolls of paper towels, it seemed as though the kids were being asked to bring in everything except toilet paper!

This week both my kids and Marissa's kids went back to school. It's been a crazy emotional week, as my 4 year old 'baby' went to school for the very first time. On top of that, I'm still recuperating from a double dose of strep throat, and I'm exhausted. I usually take pride in the fact that I have everything off of the back to school shopping lists way before the night before, but not this year! I found myself at my local mass retailer scavenging for three pronged folders. I was ecstatic that I had the paper goods off of the list all ready to go, thanks to our new friends at Marcal. (Well, except for the tissues, because I used a box of them when I was sick.)

 

I've used many different brands of eco-friendly paper products lately, and although I enjoy the idea of using recycled products, I haven't really been 'over-the-top' for the efficiency of the products I've tried. I have a messy family, I need paper towels and napkins that absorb quickly, without using too many of them. So far the only ones that have met our high standards are the Marcal Small Steps paper towels. There are all purpose napkins as well as dinner napkins, tissues and  we really liked the toilet paper.. (This is coming from a self-confessed toilet-paper-priss).

The Small Steps toilet paper is a 2 ply, strong- yet not totally scratchy, septic safe, recycled bath tissue. It's still not as soft as the thick-super plush kinds, but it's not like wiping with sand paper either. It's a giant leap in the development of recycled toilet tissue.

The facial tissues that I tried were a little scratchy, but no more than the normal regular brands without added lotion or aloe. Unfortunately, I usually buy the ones that are extra soft, but I thoroughly appreciated having the box I did when I thought I was dying of strep throat.

I loved the dinner napkins, and the all purpose napkins are great for putting alongside the kids sandwiches in their lunchboxes. I thought I used all of the tissues I was sent when I was sick, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that I had one more box. I sent that in with our school supplies, along with a roll of paper towels and some napkins, and felt good that I was sending in many recycled products this year.

One thing I didn't realize before receiving this opportunity was that Marcal has been making recycled paper products for 60 years- way before the 'green movement' or 'going green' meant something in our society. The "Small Steps" line of products signifies the small and easy steps toward making a difference in the world that you can make by using these recycled paper products.

Our new friends at Marcal have offered one of our readers the chance to try 3 new Small Steps products for free! (Winner will be mailed three coupons for any Marcal product up to $5.99)

This giveaway is open to residents of the US. This giveaway will end on August 31, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. The winner will be chosen using Random.org, and all winner information will be posted on our WINNERS PAGE and on this post. Please include a valid email address in your comment. If I cannot find a way to contact you I will not. I do try to email all winners, but due to the volume of giveaways offered on our site, delays can be expected. If you catch your name before I email you, please feel free to contact us first. :) Any unclaimed prizes will be redrawn accordingly and at the discretion of 4BabyAndMom. This product was provided to me at no cost by Marcal to review. As always, what you have read is strictly the opinion of 4BabyAndMom. Your opinions may differ.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNER!


Please refer to our WINNERS PAGE for more information on how to claim your prize!


74 comments:

lfhpueblo August 19, 2010  

Green tip change your filters on your furnance every month to make it work more efficiently. Vaccum the coils on the back of your refrigerator to make it run more efficiently too, so less energy is used by both of these appliances.
Turn down the heat on your water heater, or use a timer on it to decrease energy used when it's not needed.

lfhpueblo August 19, 2010  

I "Like"d Marcal Small Steps on Facebook and let them know 4 Baby And Mom sent me.
lfhpueblo at msn dot com

lfhpueblo August 19, 2010  

I'm a subscriber via email.
lfhpueblo at msn dot com

Frugal Tumbleweed Acres August 21, 2010  

I'd like to try the Marcal Bath Tissue.
gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

Frugal Tumbleweed Acres August 21, 2010  

You can use hydrogen peroxide as a disinfectant. Spray and wipe the full strength solution where you need germs "fizzed" away. Vinegar and water makes a wonderful hair conditioner. (Smell goes away when hair is dry.)
gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

Frugal Tumbleweed Acres August 21, 2010  

I'm an email subscriber to you.
gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

EmmaPeel August 21, 2010  

To save water around the house you can place a brick in the toilet tank so it uses less water when flushing and re-use your dryer sheets they are usually good for more than 1 use.
I'd like to try Marcal Bath Tissue.

emmaspeel(at)gmail.com

EmmaPeel August 21, 2010  

I Like Marcal Small Steps on Facebook & left a message that you had sent me.
id- Emma Peel

EmmaPeel August 21, 2010  

I Like you on Facebook- 4BabyAndMom
id Emma Peel

EmmaPeel August 21, 2010  

I Follow 4BabyAndMom on Twitter
id Emma__Peel

EmmaPeel August 21, 2010  

I Follow Marcal Small Steps on Twitter

id-Emma__Peel

EmmaPeel August 21, 2010  

tweet, http://twitter.com/Emma__Peel/status/21778866415

EmmaPeel August 21, 2010  

I Follow 4BabyAndMom publicly through Google Friends/Blogger as Emma Peel

EmmaPeel August 21, 2010  

I Subscribed by email. emmaspeel(at)gmail.com

Amber August 21, 2010  

My green tip is to shop at the farmer's market near you - the food tastes much better and you're supporting sustainable agriculture!
Thank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

Amber August 21, 2010  

I like Marcal Small Steps on Facebook - my FB name is Amanda Moore. And I would love to try the paper towels.
Thank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

Amber August 21, 2010  

I like you on Facebook -my FB name is Amanda Moore
Thank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

Amber August 21, 2010  

I follow you on Twitter - my Twitter ID is @AmberGoo
Thank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

Amber August 21, 2010  

I follow Marcal Small Steps on Twitter - my Twitter ID is @AmberGoo
Thank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

Amber August 21, 2010  

I follow your blog with google friend connect/blogger
Thank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

MOMFOREVERANDEVER August 21, 2010  

energy tip- sel around windows and doors and plug up outlets for energy savings tp is what I want to try

Super Frugalette August 22, 2010  

I make my own yogurt, eliminates those plastic cups that are hard to recycle. Also, I really want to try the paper towels. We go through tons of paper towels.topgun34er(at)hotmail(dot)com

EmmaPeel August 22, 2010  

tweet
http://twitter.com/Emma__Peel/status/21822463414

EmmaPeel August 22, 2010  

tweet, http://twitter.com/Emma__Peel/status/21844192161

llinda29 August 22, 2010  

I recyle and do't buy unneeded stuff

rubynreba August 23, 2010  

My green tip is to take shorter showers to conserve water! I'd like to try the napkins.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba August 23, 2010  

I am a new follower.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba August 23, 2010  

Entered Funky Munkey fruit snacks giveaway
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Super Frugalette August 23, 2010  

I would like to try their paper towels to see how absorbent they are. Also, we make our own yogurt to cut down on those prepackaged yogurt containers. topgun34er(at)hotmail(dot)com

Super Frugalette August 23, 2010  

http://twitter.com/Superfrugalette/status/21912886534 daily tweet topgun34er(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous,  August 24, 2010  

I'd luv to try the paper towel:)

jmatek@wi.rr.com

Anonymous,  August 24, 2010  

Like u on FB:) (julie matek)

jmatek@wi.rr.com

Anonymous,  August 24, 2010  

follow u on twitter:) (jmatek)

jmatek@wi.rr.com

Anonymous,  August 24, 2010  

email subscriber:)

jmatek@wi.rr.com

Anonymous,  August 24, 2010  

ENtered Lady footlocker giveaway:)

jmatek@wi.rr.com

EmmaPeel August 24, 2010  

tweet - http://twitter.com/Emma__Peel/status/22029963667

Super Frugalette August 24, 2010  

https://twitter.com/Superfrugalette/status/22059087837

EmmaPeel August 25, 2010  

tweet, http://twitter.com/Emma__Peel/status/22102932871

Super Frugalette August 25, 2010  

http://twitter.com/Superfrugalette/status/22115170385 daily tweet #1 topgun34er(at)hotmail(dot)com

EmmaPeel August 25, 2010  

tweet - http://twitter.com/Emma__Peel/status/22118589936

Super Frugalette August 26, 2010  

http://twitter.com/Superfrugalette/status/22175979694 a tweet!

Super Frugalette August 26, 2010  

http://twitter.com/Superfrugalette/status/22186084149 daily tweet topgun34er(at)hotmail(dot)com

EmmaPeel August 26, 2010  

tweet, http://twitter.com/Emma__Peel/status/22187582730

EmmaPeel August 26, 2010  

tweet .. http://twitter.com/Emma__Peel/status/22209290702

Lisa,  August 26, 2010  

Shut off the computer when you are not using it.

Peachesncream887@hotmail.com

Super Frugalette August 27, 2010  

http://twitter.com/Superfrugalette/status/22260462143 daily tweet #1 topgun34er(at)hotmail(dot)com

EmmaPeel August 27, 2010  

tweet, http://twitter.com/Emma__Peel/status/22286753464

EmmaPeel August 27, 2010  

tweet, http://twitter.com/Emma__Peel/status/22321593487

Super Frugalette August 28, 2010  

http://twitter.com/Superfrugalette/status/22353132522 daily tweet #1 topgun34er(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous,  August 28, 2010  

I need paper towels alllll the time. I'd like to try those.

Anonymous,  August 28, 2010  

I like Marcal on FB: Cindy Dyer

Anonymous,  August 28, 2010  

Like you on FB: Cindy Dyer

Anonymous,  August 28, 2010  

Twitter follower @getalonghome

Anonymous,  August 28, 2010  

Following Marcal on Twitter @getalonghome

Anonymous,  August 28, 2010  

tweeted: http://twitter.com/Getalonghome/statuses/22356475591

Anonymous,  August 28, 2010  

I follow via Friend Connect.

Anonymous,  August 28, 2010  

Email subscriber.

EmmaPeel August 28, 2010  

tweet, http://twitter.com/Emma__Peel/status/22374566200

EmmaPeel August 28, 2010  

tweet,, http://twitter.com/Emma__Peel/status/22399965506

EmmaPeel August 29, 2010  

tweet http://twitter.com/Emma__Peel/status/22462740242

EmmaPeel August 29, 2010  

tweet http://twitter.com/Emma__Peel/status/22484525594

tree August 30, 2010  

i'd most like to try the facial tissues. We use cloth napkins and re-usable kitchen rags and try to avoid most disposable products.

enchantedtree(at)hotmail.com

Tomi C August 30, 2010  

One of my fave green tips is using table salt as an abrasive cleaner. Makes a great cleanser for stubborn stains like oven gook and excellent toilet scrub.

Tomi C August 30, 2010  

I tweeted
http://twitter.com/3Boys_OldLady/status/22530491805

tristatecruisers August 30, 2010  

We recycle aluminum--from pop cans to pie pans and yesterday my son was given a gutter to recycle also--we even have the neighbors in on it. :)
I would like to try the paper towels and toilet paper.

marci
tristatecruisers at yahoo dot com

tristatecruisers August 30, 2010  

LIKE Marcal Small Steps on FB and told them you sent e. :)

marci
tristatecruisers at yahoo dot com

tristatecruisers August 30, 2010  

entered the lady foot locker giveaway :)

marci
tristatecruisers at yahoo dot com

tristatecruisers August 30, 2010  

entered the zola giveaway :)

marci
tristatecruisers at yahoo dot com

EmmaPeel August 30, 2010  

tweet http://twitter.com/Emma__Peel/status/22548780232

EmmaPeel August 31, 2010  

tweet http://twitter.com/Emma__Peel/status/22600424613

Shawn August 31, 2010  

I try and use natural cleaners as much as possible such as vinegar.

shawn113(at)hotmail(dot)com

EmmaPeel August 31, 2010  

tweet, http://twitter.com/Emma__Peel/status/22648583932

Lori August 31, 2010  

I would like to try their facial tissue (isn't it hard not to say kleenex?) and I think it's important to make your own cleaners, especially if their are any respiratory illnesses in the family.
lkziegler[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown September 01, 2010  

paper towels!

Thanks for entering me! Great Contest!

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

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