Toilet Paper Consumption is a Habit
When toilet paper was newly introduced, original advertisements marketed them with the tagline “The greatest necessity of the age!”. Ever since people loved and accepted this essential and versatile product.
The global toilet paper market was valued at $64 billion in 2019 and is expected to grow steadily to reach $102 billion by 2025. There is no doubt that the Coronavirus pandemic fastened this growth, considering the fact that there has been a major crisis not too long ago due to the pandemic.
Regional Demand for Toilet Paper
While some people prefer bidets over toilet papers, the demand rates are still out there. If we divide the world into regions, Asia Pacific has one of the biggest tissue papers industries and is projected to get bigger over time both in demand and production. The Asia Pacific covers many countries of Far-East Asia and Australia yet North America, which consists of Canada, the U.S., and Mexico, shows the biggest consumption rates.
According to 2018 data, North America consumes around 25 kgs of tissue paper which is five times more than the world average of 5,2 kgs. Toilet papers hold the largest category in this consumption rate with 12,7 kgs per capita annually. The United States population makes around 4% of the world’s population yet they are responsible for 20% of the global consumption.
Per Capita Toilet Paper Roll Consumption | Statista
When looked at the rest of the world Germany consumes 134 rolls or 12.1 kgs per capita in a year. The UK followed close behind, averaging 127 rolls, or 11,4 kg, of toilet paper per person and consuming a total of 1.12 million tons in 2018.
Environmental Concerns
This major demand worries many people and the authorities about our future and nature. This huge demand requires huge resources. Since most of the consumers prefer 100% virgin pulp toilet paper, the manufacturers are bound to use raw materials made of trees. According to Treehugger, making a single roll of toilet paper requires 1.5 pounds (0.68 kg) of wood. The NRDC states that, in Canada, logging companies cut more than a million acres every year.
To solve the problem, or at least not to continue being a part of it, most American consumers started to prefer eco-friendly options such as products made of eco-friendly options like bamboo pulp.
