No one could have predicted the demand for toilet paper in 2020. The whole of the UK had to get their hands on it, no one could keep it stocked on their shelves for long enough. Panic-buying swept the nation, however many of us are unaware of the facts about our beloved essential product.
Ten Fun Toilet Paper Facts
- The first recorded use of toilet paper was in 6th Century China. By the 14th Century, the Chinese government was mass-producing it. It wasn't until 1935 that a manufacturer was able to promise Splinter-Free Toilet Paper.
- The first toilet paper was developed in England in 1880 and sold not on a roll but as individual sheets in a box. The average roll now has 333 sheets.
- The average person spends three years of their life on the toilet.
- Historically, what you use to wipe depended on your income level. Wealthy Romans used wool soaked in rose water and French royalty used lace. Other things that were used before toilet paper include: Hay, corn cobs, sticks, stones, sand, moss, hemp, wool, husks, fruit peels, ferns, sponges, seashells, knotted ropes, and broken pottery (ouch!).
- 70-75% of the world still doesn't use toilet paper because it is too expensive or there is not sufficient plumbing.
- On the International Space Station, they still use regular toilet paper, but it has to be sealed in special containers and Compressed.
- In 1973 Johnny Carson caused a toilet paper shortage. He said as a joke that there was a shortage, which there wasn't, until everyone believed him and ran out to buy up the supply. It took three weeks for some stores to get more stock.
- The most expensive toilet paper in the world is from Portuguese brand Renova. Renova is three-ply, perfumed, costs $3 per roll and comes in several colors including black, red, blue and green. Beyonce uses only red Renova toilet paper. Kris Jenner uses only the black Renova toilet paper.
- In a recent survey when asked what necessity they would bring to a desert island, 49% of people said toilet paper before food.
- Queen Elizabeth II wipes her royal bottom with silk handkerchiefs.
Our recycling process
We are committed to making sure that none of the paper we shred goes to landfill, we pack it into large bales and transport it to our paper recycling partners who recycle it into office paper, tissue paper or toilet paper.
Our full recycling process can be found here or you can talk to our team to shred and recycle your paper with us today.
