The Luxurious Politics of Toilet Paper
Geographically and socially, toilet paper is the preferred sanitary method across Europe, USA and several E Asian countries. Layered and soft. Most Southeast Asian and Southern European countries prefer a blast of water to do the dirty deed. It’s a private matter.
Not a new or novel concept, toilet paper was first used in China circa 7th century. Other items used for keeping those special spots clean included; wool, lace and, hemp. If all else failed, leaves and corn cobs were the backup cleaners. Yes, that would be an “Ouch” event! Anybody who has camped out for longer than a weekend has possibly dealt with that one.
Joseph Gayetty is credited with inventing the first commercial toilet paper in the US. Aloe infused hemp sheets that were touted to prevent hemorrhoids. Hemp producers take note, you could be back in business! Prior to Mr. Gayetty, magazines and almanacs tended to lead a hazardous double life.
“Butt”, that was then and this is now. We are unrolling the cultural trend layered with panic politics.
Normal, non-crisis sales in toilet paper are over $2 billion annually in the US alone. They include “luxury” items such as; quilted, four-ply and, until 2004, pretty pastel colors. Colored toilet paper had little additional value short of matching up the bathroom décor. Additionally, the pretty, dyed toilet paper didn’t break down in septic systems at the same rate as the white variety. This caused some -strain- on the systems and hence colored toilet paper disappeared from the shops except in France, where the PQ (papier cul) environment remains rosy despite dyeing issues.
Controversially, standard white toilet paper is processed with chlorine bleach. Which, may be a boost in a virus crisis. But. Always a but in this business. White toilet paper produces Dioxin, one of the most toxic chemicals created, as a by-product. A case of “Butt” vs environment? Time to issue a new social judgement.
What ever the perceived crisis; earthquake, flood or current coronavirus, toilet paper is the first thing to fly off the shelves and cause a riot. Not chocolate or wine. Personally, these are my stockpiling go-tos. Somehow, in the modern social mind-set, toilet paper is considered a “staple” emergency item. Despite alternative cultures providing, well, alternatives to toilet paper — bidets for example. The stores are routinely flushed of toilet paper at the first sign of a crisis. As a society, do we subconsciously connect “cleanliness” with these squishy rolls of paper? Early childhood fortresses of perceived safety. Perceptional changes over history. Leaves and corn cobs to paper rolls. Ouch to ahhhh.
Consumers carting away their precious purchases may need to re-evaluate the global and social impact of their toilet paper, now more than ever. Social behaviors are changed dramatically by the unrealized buying power of consumers. Organic, environmentally friendly, no-GMO products are trends directed by a growing awareness in the consumer population. “Butt”, how do we calculate the cost of our culturally accepted practices and norms? How do we clean up our act and keep the planet smelling sweet?
The corona-virus is clearing the shelves, “butt” in a dramatically changing climatic environment can we still afford the panicked luxury of toilet paper? Count those sheets flying off the roll. I am personally going to avoid corn cobs and keep my eyes on those magic new toilets that do all the work for you.
Meantime, share the roll, it’s a social thing.
Originally Published: March 2020
