The Paper Trail

Anyone who knows me has heard me complain about the way that North American companies rip off consumers and make them think they're doing them a favour using BS marketing. One particular scam that really ticks me off is how paper products are sold and marketed. 

Boxes of facial tissue all used to have 200 sheets and every few years manufacturers have decreased the contents of the box by 20 or so sheets while maintaining the container's larger size. Tissue boxes now have either 118 or 80 sheets but the prices haven't dropped to reflect the change. Today, you'd be hard pressed to find a box with 200 sheets that isn't being marketed as a double-box with a negligible savings over the cost of two boxes. Toilet paper, paper towels, feminine hygiene products are all sold exactly the same way. And if you want to be ecologically responsible and buy recycled paper products, you'll pay a premium for the privilege, which is just beyond my comprehension. The fact that all disposable paper products aren't made from recycled content is just absurd.

Jump the Atlantic and you'll witness a more sensible approach to consumer products and waste management. Space is at a premium in most European homes -- heck, in most of Europe period. Homes just don't have massive storage closets able to stock enough items to survive that nuclear attack. When the bomb drops you'll be lucky if you last the week. But you probably won't care anyway because you'll be out at a cafe with other members of the doomed population having a drink and talking about what just happened. 

People here shop a couple of times a week for consumables and though I have seen some North American habits creep into the market here, for the most part products are ultra concentrated. I still can't get over the single 600 sheet roll of paper towels at the grocery store. It was massive. I didn't buy it because I don't have anyone who  would appreciate me willing it to them, but it just makes so much sense for anyone with a messy family who doesn't reach for a rag to clean up a spill. 

And this is how a triple roll of TP is packaged. When they say 'Mega', they mean it. At nearly 600 sheets per roll (or 2300 sheets per package), North American mega rolls look like a bad joke. 

By comparison, North American brand Cascades, sells a 'double' roll that has 225 sheets, and that's not bad by NA standards; I've seen 'double' rolls that have 180 sheets (!?) You can see why I get so angry at having manufacturers BS me with their marketing.

So, I decided to look closer at what the social, economic and environmental benefits could be for something like that 600 sheet roll of paper towels. These are just my inexperienced observations and I'd be happy to hear anyone's comments (for or against) my argument. 

For the record, many of the paper products sold in Spain (and Portugal, I know from  personal experience) are made with recycled post-consumer paper, and costs on the whole are 1/3 that of North American paper products.

Also, I also feel it necessary to mention that my product cycle example could have a negative impact on employment numbers, and welcome opinions on how that could be overcome or off-set.

Take a closer look next time you shop and analyze exactly what you're paying for. Chances are, your regular brand is ripping you off in more ways than one.

Hasta luego.