Select-A-Size Paper Towels vs 100% Recycled Paper Napkins: which is safer?
100% Recycled Paper Napkins is the clear pick. Bounty Select-A-Size Paper Towels carries a failing PFAS grade, and we never recommend buying a failing product.
Bounty
Select-A-Size Paper Towels
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
LikelyPFAS in grease-resistant coating
PossibleProprietary treatment composition unknown
Our pick
Seventh Generation
100% Recycled Paper Napkins
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleTrace metals and contaminants from recycled feedstock
PossibleMicrobial growth (mold, mildew) in storage
Where these two actually differ
- We flag PFAS in grease-resistant coating and Proprietary treatment composition unknown on the Bounty and not on the Seventh Generation.
- We flag Trace metals and contaminants from recycled feedstock and Microbial growth (mold, mildew) in storage on the Seventh Generation and not on the Bounty.
- The Bounty is Virgin wood pulp with grease-resistant treatment (composition unspecified) where the Seventh Generation is 100% recycled paper, which is most of the difference in these two grades.
- The gap is 45 points, wide enough that this is not a close call, and the Seventh Generation is the one to buy.
- We are less certain about the Bounty grade, at 45% confidence against 82%, because it discloses less.
Both products run through the same public rubric, which covers materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →
More paper napkins & paper towels, see the full ranking