571,230,000 pounds of paper towels
are used by Americans every year.
If we could --
correction, wrong figure.
13 billion used every year.
If we could reduce
the usage of paper towels,
one paper towel per person per day,
571,230,000 pounds of paper not used.
We could do that.
Now there are all kinds
of paper towel dispensers.
There's the trifold.
People typically take two or three.
There's the one that cuts it --
that you have to tear off.
People go one, two, three, four tear.
This much, right.
There's the one that cuts itself.
People go one, two, three, four.
Or there's the same thing
but recycled paper.
You have to get five of those
because they're not
as absorbent of course.
(Laughter)
The fact is you can do it all
with one towel.
The key, two words.
This half of the room
your word is 'shake.'
Let's hear it, 'shake.'
(Audience) Shake.
Joe Smith: Louder.
(Audience) Shake.
Your word is 'fold.'
(Audience) Fold.
JS: Again.
(Audience) Fold.
JS: Really loud.
(Audience) Shake.
(Audience) Fold.
OK. (Laughter)
Wet hands.
Shake. One, two, three, four, five, six,
seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve.
Why 12? 12 apostles. 12 tribes.
12 zodiac signs. 12 months.
The one I like the best
it's the biggest number with one syllable.
(Laughter)
Trifold.
(Applause)
Fold.
Dry.
(Applause)
(Audience) Shake.
(Audience) Fold.
Cuts itself. Fold.
The fold is important
because it allows
interstitial suspension.
You don't have to remember
that part but trust me.
(Laughter)
(Audience) Shake.
(Audience) Fold.
Cuts itself.
The funny thing is I get my hands drier
than people do with three or four
because they can't get in
between the cracks.
If you think this isn't as good.
(Audience) Shake.
(Audience) Fold.
Now, there's now a real fancy invention.
It's the one where you wave
your hand and it kicks it out.
It's was too big a towel.
Let me tell you a secret
if you're really quick,
if you're really quick
and I can prove this...
This is half a towel
from the dispenser in this building.
How? As soon as it starts
you just tear it off.
It's smart enough to stop
and you get half a towel.
(Laughter)
(Audience) Shake.
(Audience) Fold.
Now let's all say it together.
(Audience) & JS: Shake.
(Audience) & JS: Fold.
You will for the rest of your life
remember those words
every time you pick up a paper towel.
And remember: one towel
per person for one year.
571,230,000 pounds of paper.
No small thing.
And next year, toilet paper.
(Laughter)