production of wood pulp is the primary source af environmental emissions for all shop towel categories analyzed, followed by petroleum product manufacturing and cotton production. However, emissions related to shop towels account tor a very small percentage of total emissions from these industries. The wood pulp manufacturing process for the nonwoven and paper towel generates wastewater with biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and total suspended solids (TSS) loading. Air emissions may include reduced and volatile organics such as chloroform and methanol, depending an the process used to manufacture wood pulp. The manufacture of petroleum products that are used in woven, nonwoven, and paper towels produce airborne and waterborne organic emissions. Cotton production may result in herbicides. and pesticides in field runoff (liquid effluent). The primary activities of production, weaving, matting. and packaging result in relatively minor emissions from the shop towel manufacturing subsystem."[LG3-1] 

   One observation highlights the wastefulness of tree resources, "The waste from the resources, manufacture, packaging, transportation, and waste creates more greenhouse gases by weight than the paper itself by almost 4 times!!"[lG3-2]

LANDSCAPING - As stated in the section on Water, water is a necessity of human life, yet we are increasingly overusing and polluting it as human population grows. There are many things we can individually do to preserve, conserve and keep freshwater pure. For example, if we irrigate our landscaping, we can check the irrigation system regularly for leaks as well as physical and operational problems. Correcting these problems can reduce water use by 10% or more and improve the uniformity of water application.  Check that automatic valves are functioning and repair any leaks at valves, spray heads, and other connections.  Walk through an area while the irrigation system is running and repair or replace sprinklers or other types of emitters that are broken, sunken, crooked, or clogged with soil or debris.  Also, be certain that plants are not blocking or interfering with a sprinkler’s spray pattern, that roots are not clogging drip emitters. Drip system

   Irrigating during the very early morning hours is best with spray and similar overhead irrigation systems, generally between 12:00 A.M. and 6:00 A.M.  Evaporation is lower and usually there is little or no wind to disrupt the pattern of sprinklers during these hours.

LANDSCAPE PLANT CHOICE - Now, rather than irrigating, it may be better to choose the planting material for water conservation, Field research studies indicate that traditionally used landscape trees, shrubs, and groundcovers have considerable drought resistance and perform acceptably with about 40% to 60% of the water required to maintain the average lawn in good condition. We tend to overwater, thinking that the plants are not drought resistant. Highly drought-resistant plants can survive extended periods with no precipitation or irrigation but will need some watering to provide an acceptable landscape function. No native or commonly used non-turf plant is drought-resistant until it becomes established.  All plants require a steady supply of moisture for about one year or more after they are first planted.

Replacing a lawn with a mix of trees, shrubs, groundcovers, vines, and herbaceous perennial plants that creates a nearly complete, well-performing plant canopy over the landscape can be expected to have 50% less water demand than a cool-season lawn or at least 30% less than a warm-season lawn, assuming the lawn was watered to perform well, and the new planting is well-designed with a highly efficient and well-managed irrigation system. In fact, drought prone locations such as California have rebate programs for removing turf and replacing it with landscapes that require little water. Note that not all non-turf plants are better.  A U.C. Riverside, Riverside, CA study determined, for example, that Potentilla tabernaemontanii and Gazania hybrid are not able to withstand any drought and have minimum water needs similar to cool-season turfgrasses.

   Golf courses, with significant grass cover, are notorious water guzzlers. There's an obvious conflict with trying to offset the water loss using trees and shrubbery, as golf balls don't like trees. But trees do provide scenic beauty,

   Many nature preserves, zoological groups, and some garden centers will provide information on plants that will do well with modest water usage preserving groundwater.