A Paper Free Kitchen

Simple mom explains a great system for this environmentally friendly approach in the kitchen:
http://simplemom.net/how-to-create-a-paperless-kitchen/

My kitchen isn't totally paper free, but over the last few of years, we've significantly reduced the amount of paper towels used.

I call my approach the rag system. I have about 20 inexpensive white bar cloths, two hooks above the kitchen sink and a bucket underneath the sink. Here's how it works: One of the hooks holds a rag for cleaning the kids (we'll call this the kids' hook), the other hook holds a rag for cleaning the kitchen (the kitchen hook), and the bucket holds dry, dirty rags. Throughout the day and at the end of the day, the rags hang on the hooks. In the morning the rags are dry and I rotate their position. A clean rag is placed on the kids' hook, the old kids' rag moves to the kitchen hook and the old kitchen rag moves to the bucket. Once the bucket is full or I'm doing a load of towels, I bring the bucket to the laundry room and either soak them in the bucket with some Nature Bright by Shaklee (similar to Oxiclean powder only better smelling, more environmentally friendly and better at removing stains) before washing or immediately toss them in the washing machine.

Often if I need to clean a spill on the floor or wipe up melted snow that's been tracked into the foyer, I'll dip into the bucket under the sink and use a dried dirty rag. The rags are clean enough to use on the floor since I switch them every day.

When the rags get really stained, they're transferred from kitchen use to a bin of rags in our basement for household projects and maintenance (cleaning paint, washing/buffing the car, etc.)

I still need to do cloth napkins and have added it to my new years resolution list.

The older I get the more I become aware of the reality that our earth (and ultimately us) is in serious trouble. We each need to do our part to help eliminate waste and use less. This is a small way I've been able to live in a way that's sustainable.