Public restrooms in parts of China have introduced an unusual method for dispensing toilet paper: users must either watch an advertisement or pay a small fee. This practice was highlighted in a recent video shared by China Insider, a media outlet co-produced by anti-China organizations, NTD and The Epoch Times. The video shows a woman scanning a QR code to activate a toilet paper dispenser, a process that takes only a few seconds.
The context of this development raises questions about its origin and implementation. The video does not specify the location, leaving viewers uncertain whether it is a private establishment like a McDonald’s, a public-private mall, or a subway station. The lack of clarity about the setting adds to the intrigue surrounding this approach.
According to China Insider, the initiative aims to minimize waste, as there have been issues with individuals exploiting free toilet paper supplies. This concern is not new—reports from the New York Times in 2017 noted that public toilet paper theft has been a persistent issue in China. Park managers in popular tourist areas reported that their supplies were quickly depleted, with local residents often taking advantage of what was intended as a communal resource.
He Zhiqiang, a service worker quoted in the New York Times, stated, “The people who steal toilet paper are greedy. Toilet paper is a public resource. We need to prevent waste.” The phenomenon reflects a broader societal tendency shaped by decades of poverty, which has led some to hoard publicly available goods.
The necessity of managing public toilet supplies is underscored by the fact that many public restrooms in China operate on a “bring your own toilet paper” (BYOTP) system. This has made well-stocked restrooms particularly attractive targets for those looking to take advantage of the free supplies. While some facilities are slowly beginning to offer toilet paper, the introduction of advertisement technology appears to be a temporary solution to curb misuse until a cultural shift occurs.
This innovative use of advertisements in public restrooms also points to a growing trend in technology integration across various sectors. For example, companies like Samsung have announced plans to incorporate digital advertisements into everyday items, suggesting that the intersection of technology and daily life continues to evolve in unexpected ways.
As the situation develops, it will be essential to monitor whether this approach effectively reduces waste and how it affects public attitudes towards shared resources. The implementation of ad-based systems in public facilities could signal a new era in urban management, blending commercial interests with public service needs.
