While this is not a topic of conversation for polite company, it's an important conversation to have, and one I'm intrigued to see generates a lot of emotion in people. The issues I see people get most excited about are softness and ply. My issues are scent (surprised by that?), pilling, durability (read strength and absorbency), and recycled content. According to the Wikipedia article on TP the biggest difference between toilet papers is whether it's virgin paper (from wood chips and scraps) or of recycled content. But paper hasn't always been the material people have used for wiping themselves after using the "toilet". Count your blessings for soft, convenient paper. This short list covers historical methods of toilet paper alternatives.fabrics like wool, hemp, rags, and lacewater and snowmineral matter, like stone, sand, or seashellsvegetable matter, including grass or hay, leaves, moss and ferns, seaweed, plant husks and fruit skins, wood shavings, and cores or cobs Interestingly, cleansing with water is the preferred method over paper in much of the world.

Modern toilet paper is made of "recycled content" already, so why is recycled paper even an important issues? The "recycled" content is wood chips, not recycled paper, and it takes fewer resources (energy, water, and chemicals, for starters) to convert recycled paper into toilet paper than wood chips. Let me share some facts about what is saved by using one ton of recycled paper:6,953 gallons of water463 gallons of oil60-587 pounds (depending on the source) of air pollution3.06 cubic yards of landfill space4077 kWh (that amount of energy powers the average home for six months)17 treesTo balance that info, a cord of wood yields 1,000 pounds of toilet paper (or about 2,000 rolls). How To Make Toilet Paper the three best environmentally friendly toilet papers -- all made from 100 percent recycled paper -- are Seventh Generation, Earth Friendly Bathroom Tissue, and Green Heritage. The three worst toilet papers are Kirkland Signature Bath Tissue, Dublsoft Premium Bath Tissue, and CVS Premium Bathroom Tissue.

Interestingly, not all of the 100 percent recycled-content bathroom tissues rated an environmentally friendly score. Skid Steer Tires For Sale OntarioNatural Resources Defense Council takes a slightly different approach, and raises the issue of recycled content and post-consumer recycled content -- a good point to keep in mind for the serious environmental consumer.Nissan Rogue Headlight Bulbs The issues identified that negatively impact a toilet paper's rating include:toxic emissionshazardous waste targetssulphur and nitrogen oxide emissionswater conservationparticulate matter and VOC (volatile organic compounds)health and safetyVertical Blind Parts Orlando And issues that positively impact a toilet paper's rating include:recycled contentpost-consumer recycled contentchlorine usage (less usage is better)how each roll is packaged

And then there is the packaging! Some bathroom tissue comes wrapped in plastic, others individually in paper, and some aren't wrapped at all if you buy them in bulk. And other than gimmick paper or gag rolls, TP isn't made of colored paper because the dye is harmful to the environment and can cause skin irritations. Perfumed tissue should also be avoided because of irritation issues. The bottom line, if you'll excuse my pun, is that I'm balancing more than just the environmental aspects of what comprises the "best" toilet paper. I also care about the social and health issues. helps me do that. For my purchase decision I'm balancing the amount of post-consumer recycled paper used, packaging, comfort, effectiveness, septic system friendliness, and price. After trying several different toilet paper brands I've settled on using Seventh Generation's 2-ply TP individually wrapped in paper.Untitled Document View photo.The battle between discount membership club rivals Costco and Sam’s Club is intense but who offers the best prices when it comes specifically to generic or store brand products? 

We explore prescription drugs, food and paper products.Prescription DrugsThe good news on both fronts is that Costco and Sam’s Club open their pharmacies to nonmembers. There’s no need for an annual membership to receive discounts.But when comparing prices on some of the most popular drugs, Costco is the clear winner. For example, a month supply of Atorvastatin, the generic form of Lipitor, which helps lower cholesterol, costs about $45 at Sam’s and just $16 at Costco, a 50% difference.Also See: Target v. Whole Foods: Who Offers the Best Organic Prices?And a 30-day supply of the generic form of Actos to help with type 2 diabetes costs about $108 at Sam’s Club.  Costco offers the exact prescription for about $17, a savings of nearly 90%.Also See: Top Over the Counter Drugs for Every SymptomWhy the huge price discrepancy? Costco tells us that it negotiates directly and aggressively with drug manufacturers to strike the lowest prices.Check out a broader comparison of drugs in our table below.

Costco: GENERIC Brand name: Lipitor - $212 Atorvastatin GFX $16.39Lowers bad cholesterol20 milligrams 30 pills Sam’s: GENERIC Brand name: Lipitor - $261.84 Atorvastatin $44.6220 milligrams 30 pills Costco: GENERIC Brand name: Actos - $402.33 Pioglitazone GFX $17.10Treats type 2 diabetes 30 milligrams 30 pills Sam’s: GENERIC Brand name: Actos - $470.62 Pioglitazone $107.54 Costco: GENERIC Brand name: Lexapro - $181.41 Escitalopram GFX $9.30Treats depression 20 milligrams 30 pills Sam’s: GENERIC Brand name: Lexapro - $212.68 Escitalopram $ 57.08 Costco: GENERIC Brand name: Singulair - $185.69 Monntelukast  GFX $27.49Treats asthma 5 milligrams 30 pills Sam’s: GENERIC Brand name: Singulair - $202.84 Monntelukast $44.72 Costco: GENERIC Brand name: Plavix - $205.45 Clopidogrel GFX $13.25Blood thinner 75 millgram 30 pills Sam’s: GENERIC Brand name: Plavix - $225.78 Clopidogrel $34.46  FoodCostco’s only generic line “Kirkland Signature” offers an array of high quality choices at affordable prices.

Sam’s Club, on the other hand, is a “club of many brands.” From its original core generic label “Member's Mark,” Sam’s Club has expanded to now offer category-specific private brands such as Artisan Fresh, Daily Chef and Simply Right, to name a few.Finding apples to apples comparisons was difficult and sales are constantly changing but we did find these head to head comparisons. Sam’s Artisan Fresh Chicken Salad goes for $4.78 per pound, a little bit cheaper than Costco’s Kirkland brand for $4.99 per pound.If you’re shopping for boneless, skinless chicken breast Sam’s Club offers a 12-pack for a $1.99 per pound. At Costco, as 12-pack of the Kirkland signature fridge-to-freezer chicken breast goes for $2.99 a pound.Also See: Kids’ Taste Test: Generic v. Brand NameIn this battle we choose Sam’s Club for offering a greater variety of store-brand food choices and, in some cases, lower prices. And based on a few taste tests, the Artisan Fresh options are quite tasty!