Toilet paper, to the untrained eye, is pretty much the same today as it was back in Don Draper's time in 1950s.
OK, toilet paper now comes with printed designs or with quilting to make it more comfortable to use, but the way it's dispensed has remained the same -- paper on a roll around a cardboard tube. That's the way toilet paper has been sold for 100 years.
That's about to change, as Kimberly-Clark announced it is testing a "tubeless" toilet paper roll for its Scott line of toilet paper. K-C says they may eventually use the tubeless technology for its paper towel products as well.
K-C hopes this will give their toilet paper a competive edge, as the first to be "green." They figure eliminating the 17 billion cardboard tubes sold every year can reduce trash by 160 million pounds. My guess it will also trim their material and production costs a bit. Let's see if the product is priced a bit lower. Or will the cost savings just add to K-C's bottom line?
One possible problem with going tubeless... the toilet paper rolls can get squished easier and may not roll as smoothly when you pull the paper. But maybe that's balanced by a benefit -- You'll actually get to use that last piece of toilet paper that usually stays stuck with glue to the cardboard tube.
Doing the math: 17 billion x one extra sheet... That's a lot of clean tushes.
Oh, my, that's a lot of xtra TP usage! Thanks, David. You are wonderful to be exposing [!] us to such a revolution. Happy Bathroom Blogfest 2010!
Best,
CB
Posted by: C.B. Whittemore | October 29, 2010 at 04:29 PM
David, unless you're representing Kimberly-Clark, I'm getting concerned about postings like these. But I'd be more concerned about the trend toward tubelessness. My dog loves to check on them. btw -- did you know that the toilet was invented by Thomas Krapper?
...via Plaxo
Posted by: Don Kaufman | November 02, 2010 at 09:59 AM
I knew that the toilet was invented by Thomas Krapper, my dad used to discuss these matters over the dinner table, as did he revel in the thought that Elvis died on the toilet lol!
Posted by: Joanne | August 16, 2011 at 04:59 AM
Hey, why does loo roll always run out when you are desperate for the loo....or you turn around and realise there is none left. Plus why are certain toilet tissues loads more expensive than others.
Posted by: Helen | August 23, 2011 at 10:36 AM
I find that my kids always want to make things with the expensive sort of toilet roll like andrex, if i put the cheap kind in the loo then they ignore it.... so it is value all the way for our family at the present time.
Posted by: sara | September 11, 2011 at 03:10 PM
It's a really strange think toilet paper, there are so many brands to choose from that picking it can be hard at times, and yet, why would you spend so much time choosing toilet paper when it's uses are very limited.
Posted by: julia | September 14, 2011 at 05:30 AM
My guess it will also trim their material and production costs a bit. Let's see if the product is priced a bit lower.
Posted by: bathroom vanities | June 11, 2012 at 02:58 AM