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!