Why is toilet paper still so expensive?

Author: Prof. Dino Cummerata  |  Last update: Saturday, May 10, 2025

The cost of making toilet paper may have gone up in recent years, according to the Los Angeles Times, due to a slowdown in lumber production (there's less available wood pulp, which is what most toilet paper is made of).

Why is toilet paper expensive now?

Production Costs: The cost of raw materials (like wood pulp), manufacturing, and transportation can drive up the price of toilet paper. Fluctuations in these costs can lead to higher retail prices.

Where does the US import toilet paper from?

United States imports of Toilet paper was $415,411.33K and quantity 186,304,000Kg. United States imported Toilet paper from Canada ($275,598.93K , 96,957,900 Kg), Mexico ($43,544.90K , 33,724,300 Kg), China ($38,737.77K , 26,083,700 Kg), Indonesia ($27,888.90K , 15,429,000 Kg), Vietnam ($11,801.83K , 7,689,020 Kg).

Why are paper products so expensive in 2024?

Pulp Costs: Increased by approximately 15% due to supply chain disruptions and higher demand for corrugated packaging materials. The Producer Price Index for wood pulp rose significantly in 2024 (FRED) (Pulp & Paper – June 21st).

How much does the average person pay for toilet paper?

Americans spend $182 on toilet paper every year.

Well, that adds up to around $11,000 across a lifetime…on toilet paper! Put another way, the average American goes through 85 rolls of toilet paper annually. That translates to more than 13,000 sheets every year.

The PROBLEM with Toilet Paper

Which is cheaper, toilet paper or Kleenex?

On average, a box of tissues has 65 sheets and breaks down to about 2 cents per sheet. However, a roll of toilet paper has nearly four times as many sheets as a box of tissues and costs half as much. Of course, you're not going to toss a roll of toilet paper to your guests when they have the sniffles.

Is there another toilet paper shortage in 2024?

The supply chain for toilet paper is strong because approximately 90% of it used in the U.S. comes from domestic factories and not from containers shipped from overseas, according to a report by an ABC affiliate news station in Chicago. Experts said other items are more likely to be in short supply and higher in price.

Why are paper towels so expensive now?

Less wood pulp leads to less paper, which leads to higher prices. So, how big an impact are these events having on the price of paper? Between 2021 and 2022, paper industry giants like Georgia Pacific, Kimberly-Clark and Kruger reported price increases from 18–25%.

Is toilet paper made in the USA?

Roughly 99% of toilet paper Americans use is made in the United States. Kimberly-Clark, Proctor & Gamble and Georgia-Pacific make a majority of the toilet paper in the United States.

Which country uses the most toilet paper in the world?

Key Findings
  • China uses over 4 billion miles of toilet paper each year – more than any other country.
  • The average Portuguese person uses 643.36 miles of toilet paper in their lifetime – more than any other nationality.
  • It takes 31.11 million trees each year to supply the US with toilet paper.

Where do you throw toilet paper after use in USA?

Facial tissues should be placed in your compost. Used toilet paper should be flushed down the toilet or disposed in your garbage bin. If used as a substitute for paper towels or facial tissue, place in the compost bin.

Does the U.S. get toilet paper from China?

Key takeaways: The FDA and CBP are the primary federal agencies that you'll answer to when importing toilet paper. The top countries to import toilet paper from include Canada, China, Mexico, Germany, and Israel.

Is it better to buy cheap toilet paper?

Cheaper toilet paper is often thinner, less absorbent, and not as luxurious compared to its more expensive alternatives. The inferior quality often results in the need for more paper during use, diminishing its overall value.

How much did toilet paper cost when it first came out?

Fast forward to 1857 when the first packaged sheets of pre-moistened bathroom tissue in the U.S. were produced by New Yorker Joseph Gayetty. He called it "therapeutic paper" and sold it in packs of 500 for 50 cents.

Why is Charmin so expensive in the USA?

Pulp, which is made from trees, is the primary ingredient in Bounty, Puffs and Charmin, and a major material in Pampers. Since 2016, market prices for hardwood pulp have risen 60% and 20% for softwood. P&G sources both types from the United States and Canada and uses them to make tissue papers and diapers.

Why is toilet paper suddenly so expensive?

Costs for pulp globally are climbing, and toilet paper makers including Kimberly-Clark Corp. have implemented price hikes in an effort to boost margins. U.S. retail prices for toilet paper have already surged about 20% from July 2021 to the end of last year, according to NielsenIQ.

Are paper towels cheaper at Walmart or Amazon?

When it seems like you're always running out of paper towels to clean up messes, a bulk buy of paper towels can get expensive when you shop in-store. However, Amazon can save you over $14 compared to Walmart when you purchase a 16-count Bounty quick-size paper towel.

Why are hotel towels so much better?

Hotel towels dry so well due to a combination of factors, including their high-quality materials and specialized laundering techniques. Hotels typically use towels made from 100% cotton, which is highly absorbent and quick-drying.

What will replace toilet paper in the future?

Bidets, recycled paper, bamboo, sugarcane and other alternative pulp sources offer more environmentally friendly options.

Why is there no colored toilet paper anymore?

First, doctors began warning people that the dyes used in the toilet roll could be harmful to our skin. Second, the use of dyes could be harmful to the environment. And the third reason? It was no longer aesthetically pleasing, according to the design police.

Why is Walmart out of toilet paper?

Shoppers are once again loading up on paper goods and cleaning supplies in areas of the United States hard hit by rising coronavirus infections, leading to empty shelves at some Walmart stores.

What is the healthiest toilet paper to use?

What is the best non irritating toilet paper? For those with sensitive skin, bamboo toilet paper is the top pick. It's hypoallergenic, free from harsh chemicals, fragrances, and dyes, reducing the risk of irritation or allergic reactions.

How to save money on toilet paper?

Here's our 7 top tips to save money on toilet paper:
  1. Buy Toilet Paper in Bulk.
  2. Use Less Toilet Roll.
  3. Choose Non-Branded Loo Paper.
  4. Subscribe to a Toilet Roll Delivery Service.
  5. Switch to Reusable Toilet Paper.
  6. Invest in a Bidet.
  7. Try a Portable Bidet.

Is it OK to use Kleenex as toilet paper?

Despite their textural similarity to toilet paper, the fibers in these paper products do not break down the same way and can cause clogs in plumbing and septic systems. Instead, toss used tissues and paper towels in a garbage can with a lid lined with an appropriately-sized garbage bag or plastic grocery bag.

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