More Than a Third of Americans are on a Roll at Wasting Toilet Paper in Public Restrooms

Feb. 26, 2019

More than one third of Americans are literally flushing profits down the toilet for businesses. According to a new survey commissioned by Sofidel, a leading global provider of paper for hygienic and domestic use, 35 percent of Americans say they typically use more toilet paper than needed when using a public restroom. The survey was conducted online by The Harris Poll from Feb. 1-5, 2019 among 2,049 U.S. adults ages 18 and older and also revealed Americans’ preferences toward business’ sustainability efforts in public restrooms.

“When restroom guests use too much toilet paper, it’s not only wasteful and costly to reorder product more frequently, but can lead to expensive and unpleasant toilet clogs,” said Giorgia Giove, Marketing Manager – Away from Home, Sofidel America. “It’s important for businesses to invest in toilet paper that actively works to limit the risk of clogs, as well as dispensers that discourage excessive paper consumption. Doing so will not only have a positive impact on the bottom line, but also the environment.”

The survey found that nearly half (45 percent) of millennial women (age 18-34) admit to typically using more toilet paper than needed when using a public restroom. Because toilet clogs create odors, gross out guests and require time and money to solve, Sofidel’s Papernet brand offers Bio Tech toilet paper. Once the paper contacts water, it produces safe enzymes that feed on the buildup in pipes to reduce the risk of clogs as quickly as after one month of use. Exclusive use of Bio Tech can provide total savings of up to 40 percent compared to the combined cost of standard toilet paper and plumbing emergencies.

The survey also revealed that a strong majority of Americans (87 percent) feel it is important that businesses use sustainable products in their public restrooms. Nearly half (45 percent) say it is very important for businesses to provide green restroom products. These products may include water-saving faucets and toilets, dispensers that reduce paper consumption, toilet paper that sanitizes pipes and cleaning solutions made with fewer chemicals.

Papernet also sells restroom dispensers that help minimize paper consumption. The Touchless Roll Towel dispenser features a unique and customizable paper-saving mode. Through no-touch operation, it dispenses one paper towel sheet and then offers a shorter towel if a customer requires it. Facilities can select the desired savings percentage, set different time delays and choose the length of the second sheet of paper. Meanwhile, the HyTech Auto-Cut Jumbo Roll Tissue (JRT) dispenser uses single, flat-sheet dispensing to prevent customers from pulling an excessive amount from the roll. This dispenser offers 15 percent savings compared to traditional dispensers.

For more information, visit www.papernet.com/americas.