Three Steps to Reducing Kitchen Paper Waste

Sheryl Crow got a few laughs recently when she suggested replacing paper napkins with wiping your mouth on your sleeve, but cutting back on kitchen paper waste doesn't require such drastic actions. Here are a few steps you can take:

Step 1: Reuse your coffee filters.

Ditch paper filters in favor of a filter-less French press, like the classic Chambord made by Bodum ($19.95; www.bodumusa.com, 800-232-6386). However, unfiltered coffee brewed in French presses and percolators has been linked to increased levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol, due to oil on ground coffee beans that's usually removed by paper filters. In drip coffee makers, reusable cone or basket filters can get rid of the oils, but metal filters may not remove them as thoroughly as hemp cloth ($4.95; www.greenfeet.com, 888-562-8873). Since coffee grounds can be difficult to remove, try scrubbing the hemp filter with a brush after you've emptied it.

Step 2: Try the 80/20 rule.

Choose reusable cloths at least 80 percent of the time. Organic cotton kitchen towels ($4), colorful hemp napkins ($8) and hemp dish ($16) and kitchen towels ($16; www.rawganique.com, 877-729-4367) are good for everyday use. Handi Wipes reusable polyester wiping cloths work just like paper towels on messy or sticky spills (about $2.50; at most major drugstores). Or save yourself some money and eco guilt: Keep a few old T-shirts torn into rags for the dirtiest of the dirty messes.

For the other 20 percent of the time: Look for processed-chlorine-free (PCF) recycled-paper goods with the highest post-consumer-waste (PCW) content possible. Seventh Generation 80 percent PCW, PCF paper towels ($1.99; www.drugstore.com); Green Forest 40 percent PCW, PCF paper towels ($1.29; www.drugstore.com); Whole Foods' 365 brand 80 percent PCW, PCF napkins ($2.49; www.wholefoodsmarket.com).

Step 3: Eat less processed food.

Open your pantry door, and you'll likely be staring at rows of paper or cardboard packaging, which doesn't accompany fresh food. You may not necessarily be able to avoid processed food, but you can...

Know what's recyclable. Cardboard boxes may go in your curbside recycling bin, but Tetra Paks may not be accepted.

Buy less packaging. Cereal packaged in plastic alone requires less packaging overall (and less fuel to ship), and saltine crackers don't need to be packaged individually. Pack lunches in reusable containers: Lillian Vernon's "I Love You" #5 polypropylene sandwich container ($4.98; www.lillianvernon.com, 800-901-9402).