http://www.swissarmylibrarian.net/2011/02/12/reference-question-of-the-week-2611/ or, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Fear and Loathing at a Public Library Reference Desk Mon, 20 May 2013 23:17:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 http://www.swissarmylibrarian.net/2011/02/12/reference-question-of-the-week-2611/#comment-2125 Amanda Sun, 20 Feb 2011 17:49:36 +0000 http://www.swissarmylibrarian.net/?p=1277#comment-2125 As the daughter of a plumber and as a library reference staffer myself, I love this question. I would add that low-flow toilets use less than the 3 gallons you mentioned, often around 1.6 gallons, so there is less wasted water. But my dad did tell me that most tissues aren’t made to break down like toilet paper and can lead to clogs, especially in older pipes. Also there is the thing to consider about municipal versus septic systems. A lot of things you can do to or put into a municipal system can damage an individual septic system.

]]> http://www.swissarmylibrarian.net/2011/02/12/reference-question-of-the-week-2611/#comment-2124 Stephanie Willen Brown Tue, 15 Feb 2011 16:13:07 +0000 http://www.swissarmylibrarian.net/?p=1277#comment-2124 I love this question! I have always wondered that myself but never thought to look it up. The suggestion to burn them is just another incentive for me to buy a house with a fireplace! (since I’m going to be buying a house anyway, that is). That way, at least occasionally, I can use the most ecologically friendly way to dispose of my tissues.

]]> http://www.swissarmylibrarian.net/2011/02/12/reference-question-of-the-week-2611/#comment-2123 Erin Tue, 15 Feb 2011 15:26:35 +0000 http://www.swissarmylibrarian.net/?p=1277#comment-2123 Aw, Mary Jo beat me to the recommendation of cloth handkerchiefs! I am often appalled by how far our society has gone with disposable versions of items that can be reused–I mean, have you seen the Kleenex brand disposable bathroom hand towels?? My household makes routine use of cloth handkerchiefs, napkins, towels, rags, etc., instead of tissues, paper towels, paper napkins, etc.

]]> http://www.swissarmylibrarian.net/2011/02/12/reference-question-of-the-week-2611/#comment-2122 Mary Jo Mon, 14 Feb 2011 04:14:27 +0000 http://www.swissarmylibrarian.net/?p=1277#comment-2122 What a challenging question. Other points to consider:
Blowing your nose on tp is not a great option because the paper breaks up and leaves lint in your nose which causes the need for more nose-blowing.
As long as you do not have a cold, you should consider old-fashioned handkerchiefs. If you wash them with towels or sheets, you do not expend any extra power or water. Best to use fragrance-free detergent. Women’s handkerchiefs are sometimes hard to find in this country, but men’s (which are larger – why?) are commonly available.

]]> http://www.swissarmylibrarian.net/2011/02/12/reference-question-of-the-week-2611/#comment-2121 Tweets that mention Swiss Army Librarian » Reference Question of the Week – 2/6/11 :: Brian Herzog -- Topsy.com Sun, 13 Feb 2011 03:34:05 +0000 http://www.swissarmylibrarian.net/?p=1277#comment-2121 [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Anchorage Library, Ann Finster. Ann Finster said: RT @anchlibrary: Oh the things librarians can tell you. http://fb.me/PTQcK8Lu [...]

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