Paper products are among the most widely used consumer products on earth. Everything from printer paper to toilet paper to cardboard is used by all of us everyday. An increasing number of paper products made from recycled paper and fibers are now available. Most contain a percentage of recycled fibers mixed with new fibers and some are made from 100% recycled fibers.

The use of recycled fibers as well as the methods used to make paper products are now being researched as a part of the wider green initiatives that have taken the forefront in recent years. How much recycled fiber is in the paper products we use? Does the manufacturer use environmentally responsible practices in the process? Which companies are the most environmentally responsible?

Greenpeace, the world-renowned environmental watchdogs, have created a cell phone and PDA application that will help the most environmentally conscious persons make informed choices about paper products.

There are numerous applications that will help consumers find a good restaurant or a specific retailer. There are applications that will check current and forecasted weather. There are applications that will track bank account balances. Why not an application that helps consumers decide which paper products to buy? Granted, most of us may not share the same excitement for responsibly choosing paper products, but there are certainly many persons who take these choices very seriously.

The Greenpeace Tissue Guide is divided into four (4) categories: paper towels, facial tissues, toilet paper and paper napkins. Each product listed has been tested and reviewed by experts. Products are rated according to the percentage of recycled fibers used, the methods of manufacture and the overall environmental responsibility of the manufacturer. There are also listings of products and manufacturers to avoid, based on the same criteria.

In many cases, manufacturers are reluctant to adopt environmentally responsible practices if additional costs are involved. Consumer pressure to conform is applied to manufacturers by consumers and groups that advocate the use of environmentally responsible practices. By sharing information concerning which companies are being responsible and which are not, pressure to make better choices is placed on manufacturers.

It is not unimaginable that consumer applications for any type of product review can be developed and used easily. The power is with the consumer when the consumer is well informed and purposeful. Although the Greenpeace Tissue Guide may not be ideal for everyone, the basic principle is outstanding.