For decades now, the paper industry has touted their eco-friendly and cost-effective messaging to restaurant owners and even consumers. While many believed the eco message, even more believed the costing information. The bottom line, is that neither are factually true. Recently, there are some new linen products that absolutely seal the deal on both fronts.

Here are some “environmental” facts related to using linen reusable napkins in lieu of paper disposable napkins.

These facts are from an american article, however we found them interesting and hope you do too.

1. If every American uses linen napkins at breakfast and lunch (instead of paper), our planet will save nearly 60,000,000 (million) trees per year, will add up to 15,000,000 (million) pounds of oxygen per year, and will save up to 5,000,000,000 (yes, billion) pounds of landfill trash per year.
2. It takes far less water and chemicals to manufacture linen napkins, than it does to recycle paper into napkins. The paper industry is responsible for putting 16,000,000 (million) pounds per year of toxic pollutants into US waters, and 204,000,000 (million) pounds of toxic pollutants in US air. And most people just don’t realise just how much water is used to make paper in America… about 3 gallons per sheet (shown in a recent article of “The Atlantic”).
   
   
3. Paper napkins have one life, unless they are recycled. If recycled, they rarely have more than two lives. They simply end up in our landfills.
4. Linen napkins from a qualified linen rental supplier like Cleantex have 80 – 100 reusable lives, and are washed in an eco-friendly formula (mandated by sewage laws). The temperatures used in commercial laundering bring the linen fabric temperature to the point that “hygienic cleanliness” is ensured (according to AAMI – a leading healthcare measurement association).

With facts like these, why on earth would consumers and restaurant owners even consider paper at their tables? The real reason is that the paper industry has simply done a better job of talking about it, and until recently, our industry has not.

The second motivator has always been the myth that paper is cheaper than linen. Simply not true. Here are some facts on the subject.

1. The typical paper napkin used in restaurants – costs the operator about 3 cents each.
2. The typical diner uses 2-3 napkins while dining (many times more).
3. The average cost of paper napkins (3 cents average x 2.5 average uses) is about 7.5 cents ($0.075 per serving). In many cases, such as BBQ restaurants and the like, the cost can be up to 3 times that cost to the restaurant.
4. According to recent surveys by Milliken & Co, 84% of US dining consumers actually prefer cloth napkins in restaurants. They feel better, and exude an atmosphere of higher quality. And diners only use 1 per serving… fact.
   
   
5. According to statistics previously released by the American Restaurant Association, diners will actually spend more money at restaurants using linen, as they expect a higher quality dining “experience”.

So, if the environmental message is more earth-friendly for linen, and if the cost of paper is actually much higher than most people think… what’s the real issue here?

The average cost of renting traditional dinner linen napkins may be equal or perhaps higher than the actual cost of paper. That said, it boils down to price, right? How do we offer high-end linen “lunch” napkins at a price that makes sense to restaurant owners?

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