Toilet Rolls Vary in Sheets per Roll and Total Length by Over a Double 4 Models Could Not Pass the Disintegration Test Which Might Lead to Clogging of Drainpipes

Toilet rolls are a daily necessity. High quality toilet rolls could provide better comfort for the user whilst helping them to save money. Yet there are many different brands of toilet rolls on the market, and even the same brand may have models with different packaging and qualities. Consumers would need to try out many different brands and models in order to judge which ones are the best “value for money”, or which ones are stronger. The Consumer Council tested 25 models of toilet rolls and found that the overall hygiene was satisfactory. 8 models scored 4.5 points (including 5 models of 3-ply and 3 models of 4-ply).

In selecting toilet rolls, consumers have different considerations including the price, number of plies, total length, absorbency, strength and softness. From a value-for-money perspective alone, the tests found that 2 models had the largest gap among all models in terms of the average number of sheets per roll and total length. For the average number of sheets per roll, the difference between the 2 models was 236 sheets, which was nearly 1.8 times, while the difference in average total length was nearly a double. The average price per square metre of these 2 models showed one of the biggest price differences of $1.30. However, for the model with the fewest sheets and shortest length per roll, the paper was relatively thick and robust. From a quality and performance perspective, the tests found that 5-ply models were stronger than 4-ply and 3-ply models, but 3-ply models were better in terms of softness.

Consumers should be aware that 4 models with high strength in wet condition failed to comply with the disintegration test. If large amounts of toilet paper were used or if the toilet-flushing capacities were small, this could lead to clogging risks. Consumers should bear this in mind when selecting toilet rolls in order to suit their actual usage and the condition of their drainpipes. Furthermore, from an environmental perspective, the thicker the toilet paper, the more wood pulp or bamboo pulp would have to be used in the production process. Furthermore, most of the models were not labelled with the number of sheets per roll, dimensions, weight, and expiry dates. The Council urges suppliers to provide clear product labelling whilst maintaining a high quality of the product,  to facilitate consumers to make informed choices.

The Council purchased 25 models of toilet rolls from supermarkets, chain stores selling household items, personal care stores, and pharmacies, consisting of 15 models of 3-ply, 8 models of 4-ply, and 2 models of 5-ply toilet rolls, of which 23 models which claimed to be made from wood pulp and 2 models (3-ply) that claimed to be made from bamboo materials. The average price per toilet roll ranged from $2 to $5.6; or $1.4 to $3.6 per 100g in net weight^[1], with a difference of over 1.5 times at most; or $0.7 to $2 per square metre, with a difference of 1.8 times approximately. The tests were conducted with reference to the Mainland’s standard of toilet paper GB/T 20810-2018, and also the requirement of the “Superior Product” (優等品) toilet paper as stated in the standard, in assessing the absorbency, strength, softness, ease of disintegration in water, the amount of loose particles and hygiene. In addition, the sheets per roll, total length and weight of the models were measured.

Two Models Differed Most in Sheets per Roll, Total Length and Total Area

In order to know which model was of good value for money, the tests randomly picked 3 samples from each model to count the average sheets per roll. The results showed that 2 models of 3-ply had an average of more than 300 sheets per roll, with one model having the most sheets per roll of 369 sheets, whereas one model of 4-ply had the least sheets per roll of just 133 sheets, which was 236 sheets less per roll, a difference of approximately 1.8 times. Those 2 models also had the biggest difference in terms of average total length, which were 40.6m and 18.6m respectively, a difference of 1.1 times approximately. In terms of area, the average area per sheet was different for different models, ranging from 117cm² to 150cm². Those 2 models also had the biggest difference in terms of average area per roll, measuring 4.5m² and 2m² respectively, a difference of over 1.2 times. As for the price per square metre, 3 models (all 3-ply, including the longest model) had the lowest price ($0.70), whereas the shortest model (4-ply) had the highest price ($2), which was $1.30 higher than the 3 lowest priced models. 

Net Weight of 3-ply Recorded a Difference of up to 65g per Toilet Roll

Apart from number of sheets per roll and total length, whether the toilet paper was sufficiently robust would also be dependent on the thickness of the paper. From the measurement conducted on the weight and area of the test sample, the grammage (i.e. weight per square metre in grams) of the models were calculated. The higher the grammage meant the models were more robust. The results indicated that models of 4-ply and 5-ply had higher grammage, all were more than 60g/m², of which 4-ply models weighed from 60.8g/m² to 71.6g/m², whereas 5-ply models weighed from 68.3g/m² to 72.4g/m². Models of 3-ply were noticeably lighter and with bigger difference, ranging from 41.3g/m² to 57.1g/m². When comparing the net weight of each toilet roll, differences were noted from different models, especially for 3-ply models (except the bamboo 3-ply models), with the heaviest weighing 183g and the lightest weighing 118g, a difference of 65g. For the rest, the discrepancies were much smaller. Many consumers would prefer more robust toilet paper, but the more robust the paper, the more wood pulp or bamboo pulp would have to be used during the production process, with the concomitant adverse effect on the environment.

Furthermore, some brands offer the same models with 10-roll or 12-roll packs at different retail outlets. The Council chose the same models from 5 different brands that offered 10-roll and 12-roll packs, and then picked 3 rolls from each pack to measure the net weight and number of sheets per roll. In 4 of the models, the average net weight of each roll from the 12-roll packs was significantly lower than a toilet roll from the 10-roll packs, differing by up to 28g. In comparing the weight of entire packs, all 12-roll packs models were heavier than 10-roll packs by 1.5% to 19%. As for the price per 100g, the findings were inconclusive. In 3 of the models, 12-roll packs cost less than 10-roll packs, whilst it was vice versa for the other 2 models. Even so, the higher cost only ranged from $0.03 to $0.08, with one model of 12-roll pack offering a free pack of facial tissues.

4 Models Did Not Easily Disintegrate in Water and Might Lead to Clogging

Toilet paper is a daily necessity for personal hygiene and apart from price considerations, the quality and performance are equally important. The strength tests were conducted in accordance with Mainland standards in assessing the toilet paper’s tendency to be torn under dry and wet conditions and also its resistance to bursting. The results showed that all models were highly resistant to being torn when dry, whereas the models were more susceptible to being torn when wet. The performance of 8 models was comparatively poor, with a score of just 1.5 to 2 points. In addition, all models were not easily pierced when being used. The combined test results indicated that 2 models of 5-ply were higher in strength but 4 models of 3-ply and 2 models of 4-ply also had high strength.

However, toilet paper with high strength when wet might not easily disintegrate in water and might cause clogging of the drainpipes. 4 models (including 2 models of 3-ply and 2 models of 5-ply) did not pass the test on the ease of disintegration in water and could not break down one or more shreds of paper. Those 4 models were relatively high in strength when wet and perhaps that was why they did not disintegrate in water within a short time. Consumers should bear this in mind when choosing toilet paper in order to suit their usage habits and the condition of their drainpipes.

The softness of toilet paper is particularly important to children, the elderly or people with skin allergy or sensitive skin. The results of the softness test showed that 4 models (including 3 models of 4-ply and 1 model of 5-ply ) had low softness, with measured figures that were higher than the requirement of “Superior Product” toilet paper in the Mainland standards (200mN or below). Overall, 3-ply models were generally softer than 4-ply and 5-ply models, and all models showed good performance in absorbency.

Suppliers Urged to Improve Inadequate Information in Product Labeling

With reference to Mainland standards, the packaging of toilet paper should contain product information including the measurements of each sheet, the number of plies, the number of sheets per roll or net weight, the date of production and use-by date. Only 3 out of the 25 models had labelling on the dimensions of each sheet of paper, 2 models had labelling on the number of sheets per roll, 8 had labelling on the total weight of each pack or each roll, but the information provided did not exclude the weight of the packaging and the paper board core. Furthermore, less than half (7 models) had labelling on both the date of production and the use-by date, the rest only presented the production date. The Council opines that suppliers should provide clear labelling of the pertinent information in order to facilitate consumers to make informed choices, comparing quality and expiry date, when selecting different products.

In choosing toilet rolls, consumers are advised to pay heed to the following tips:

• Select packs that are heavier and more tightly rolled up, with a bigger diameter of paper width and a smaller paper board core. Toilet rolls with embossment are usually rolled up more loosely and would appear bigger in size;
• Prices of toilet rolls at pharmacies, drugstores, shops selling household items or personal care products would be more stable than supermarkets. However, supermarkets would offer a bigger range of different brands with periods of promotional discounts regularly. Consumers are advised to compare before purchase;
• Toilet paper may release tiny loose bits of paper during use, and storing toilet rolls in humid environments or for a long period of time may lead to the breeding of germs, thus it is not suitable for handling foodstuffs or wiping the mouth or nose;
• Unused and unopened toilet rolls should be stored in a dry, cool place that is well ventilated and clean, instead of toilets that are normally humid. Consumers should be cognizant of the household rate of usage to avoid stockpiling as improper storage might result in using damp or mouldy toilet rolls.