Robin Hilmantel

Recent estimates put the number of Amazon Prime members at 80 million. Even if each Prime member only ordered one package per year, that adds up to tons (literally) of cardboard and other types of packaging material. Never mind the fact that it’s typical for Prime members to make purchases weekly (or even more often!) — and that’s before you even consider other services like Prime Pantry.

How many times have you been asked “paper or plastic” at the grocery store and wondered which was actually better for the environment? Well, it’s kind of a trick question because experts say neither is as sustainable as a reusable bag that you bring to the grocery store every time you shop (preferably one made of a natural material like cotton, rather than a synthetic one).

If you’re anything like me, you throw your plastic water bottle or yogurt container into the recycling bin when you’re done with it and pat yourself on the back for a job well done. After all, you’ve just done something, albeit small, to help the planet. But what actually happens next? “The answer is way more complicated than people think,” says Heidi Sanborn, executive director of the California Product Stewardship Council.

Everyone who finds cleaning cathartic knows that microfiber towels are one of life’s little pleasures. But are microfiber towels actually better for the environment? The answer is … complicated. And to start to get a sense of what the most eco-friendly option is, you first have to get to know microfiber towels a little better. Microfiber towels may feel like they’re made of cloth, but they’re actually made of plastic.