Which Toilet Paper is Made in the United States? The Ultimate Guide for Homeowners

Toilet paper is one of those household necessities that we all use daily without giving much thought to where it comes from. But did you know that a significant amount of the toilet paper found in American bathrooms is actually produced right here in the USA? This detailed guide will provide homeowners like you with fascinating insights into the world of domestic toilet paper manufacturing.

Overview of Major Brands Proudly Made in America

Walk down the toilet paper aisle at any supermarket or big box store and you‘ll see some familiar American-made brands:

Angel Soft – Produced by Georgia-Pacific at facilities in Georgia and Oklahoma
Quilted Northern – Manufactured by Georgia-Pacific in Georgia
Scott – Made by Kimberly-Clark in Pennsylvania
Charmin – Manufactured by Procter & Gamble in Ohio and Pennsylvania
Cottonelle – Produced by Kimberly-Clark in Wisconsin and Tennessee

In addition to these leading brands, other American-made options include White Cloud, Marcal, Seventh Generation, and various private label store brands.

Digging Deeper on Manufacturing Locations

American toilet paper production is centered around major plants and paper mills located across the Eastern and Southern US:

Angel Soft – Georgia-Pacific‘s plants in Palatka, Florida and Muskogee, Oklahoma produce the bulk of Angel Soft toilet paper for the US market.
Quilted Northern – The brand‘s primary manufacturing facilities are located in Georgia, concentrated around Georgia-Pacific‘s Palatka operation.
Scott – Scott toilet paper originates from Kimberly-Clark mills in Pennsylvania, notably a massive integrated pulp and paper facility in Chester.
Charmin – Surprisingly, all Charmin sold in America comes from a single Procter & Gamble plant in Mehoopany, Pennsylvania.
Cottonelle – Cottonelle rolls are made at Kimberly-Clark‘s facilities in Neenah, Wisconsin and Loudon, Tennessee, along with some imported materials.

Smaller Players Boosting American Manufacturing

Alongside the big brands, a growing number of boutique toilet paper companies also proudly produce their products in the US:

Who Gives a Crap – This eco-friendly company makes toilet paper and paper towels from 100% recycled materials at a small facility in Wisconsin.
NOKA – Based in Colorado, NOKA uses unique 100% bamboo fiber to make tree-free toilet paper in a zero-waste facility.
American Paper and Plastics – Located in New York, they make luxury toilet paper from North American and European sources.
Marcal – This venerable New Jersey company has made affordable toilet paper from recycled content since the 1950s.

So when you buy from these smaller brands, you can feel good about supporting American manufacturing.

What Goes into Making Toilet Paper Truly American-Made

Toilet paper must meet several criteria before being able to tout that coveted "Made in USA" label:

Raw materials – The paper pulp and other inputs must originate from American forests and suppliers.
Paper production – The pulp has to be transformed into tissue paper at US paper mills.
Manufacturing – The actual conversion of paper into toilet paper rolls happens at domestic plants.
Related processes – Steps like packaging and preparing retail units take place in the US.

Keeping the entire supply chain within America results in genuine American-made toilet paper.

Current Market Share of US Toilet Paper Brands

Brand	Approximate Market Share
Georgia-Pacific	30%
Procter & Gamble	26%
Kimberly-Clark	19%

While some foreign imports have gained ground over the years, toilet paper made by American companies still accounts for over 75% of domestic consumption. US manufacturers clearly dominate the home turf when it comes to this essential personal care product.

Fascinating Facts About Toilet Paper Production Facilities

There are an estimated 15 primary toilet paper manufacturing facilities currently operating in the United States. Here are some intriguing facts about these American plants:

The largest facility is Kimberly-Clark‘s integrated pulp and paper mill in Chester, PA spanning over 1 million square feet.
Charmin‘s mega plant in Mehoopany, PA runs 24/7 with over 500 employees to supply toilet paper to the entire US market.
Georgia-Pacific‘s Palatka, FL plant utilizes advanced technology like robotic equipment to produce over 1.5 million rolls per day.
Recycled paper makes up around 25% of the raw material processed at Procter & Gamble‘s Cape Girardeau, MO plant.
Kimberly-Clark‘s plant in Marinette, WI has the capacity to produce up to 16 million rolls of toilet paper a week.

Step-by-Step Journey from Forest to Bathroom

Here is an inside look at the complex supply chain that brings American-made toilet paper from forest to bathroom:

Raw materials – Wood chips and pulp primarily come from managed forests in southern states like Georgia and Virginia. Recycled content is added in at some mills.
Paper production – Massive paper mills in the Eastern US convert pulp into tissue paper through processes involving pressing, drying, and glazing.
Product manufacturing – High-speed converting lines at plants around the country transform large tissue reels into familiar toilet paper rolls.
Product distribution – Trucks, trains and cargo ships transport the packaged toilet paper to retailers across America via supply chains managed by the major brands.
Retail sale – The toilet paper arrives on store shelves to be purchased by consumers and taken home to bathrooms across the country.

How Sustainability Drives Innovation in American Toilet Paper

Many US toilet paper manufacturers have made meaningful sustainability commitments:

Recycled fiber – Brands like Marcal and Who Gives a Crap use 100% recycled paper to reduce environmental impact. Overall, recycled content in toilet paper has increased 61% from 1990 to 2018.
Renewable materials – Boutique Ecoethic toilet paper utilizes renewable sugarcane waste rather than trees from forests.
Energy reduction – Georgia-Pacific‘s Naheola mill cut natural gas usage for drying tissue paper by 33% through equipment upgrades.
Water conservation – New closed-loop water recycling systems at American mills save millions of gallons of water annually.
Forestry partnerships – Procter & Gamble and Kimberly-Clark source over 75% of virgin pulp from suppliers certified by sustainable forestry groups.

These efforts provide meaningful sustainability improvements while also benefiting operational efficiency at US mills.

Cutting-Edge Innovations in American Toilet Paper

In recent years, US brands have rolled out innovative new varieties of toilet paper:

Ultra-soft and strong – New manufacturing techniques allow for softer toilet paper that maintains durability. Georgia-Pacific‘s Quilted Northern Ultra Plush with its signature quilting is one example.
No-roll toilet paper – Charmin has introduced a toilet paper delivery system that dispenses pre-cut squares of toilet paper without even using a roll.
Bamboo luxury toilet paper – Brands like Caboo and NOKA produce sustainable 3-ply toilet paper using renewable bamboo.
Lotion-infused toilet paper – New lotion-infusion processes distribute moisturizers more evenly throughout the toilet paper sheets.
Premium extra-large rolls – Georgia-Pacific‘s Quilted Northern Ultra Plush Toilet Paper comes in an oversized 6-inch wide roll providing more square footage per roll.

These innovations provide added functionality and quality to enhance consumers‘ experiences in the bathroom.

Competitive Pressures Facing American Manufacturers

Despite controlling over three-quarters of the domestic toilet paper market, American brands face some stiff headwinds:

Cheap finished product imports – Low-priced imports of complete toilet paper rolls from China and Mexico challenge American market share.
Low-cost virgin pulp imports – An influx of cheap virgin pulp from South American eucalyptus plantations makes US recycled pulp less cost competitive.
High energy and transportation costs – US manufacturers have some of the world‘s highest electricity, natural gas and freight costs.
Stringent regulations – American facilities have to meet environmental and workplace safety regulations that often exceed those of offshore competitors.

However, by investing in advanced manufacturing technology and focusing on quality and innovation, American brands continue holding their ground in this fiercely competitive global market.

What Does the Future Hold for American Toilet Paper Production?

The US toilet paper industry appears poised for steady growth in the coming years:

Increasing production capacity – Georgia-Pacific, Procter & Gamble and Kimberly-Clark are all investing in expansions to produce more American-made toilet paper.
New product development – Manufacturers are responding to consumer demand for softer and stronger toilet papers along with sustainable options.
Stable raw material availability – Responsible forestry practices ensure a ready supply of wood pulp from US forests into the future.
Growing demand – As the US population increases, so will the need for domestic toilet paper production. Annual per capita toilet paper consumption already grew over 20% from the mid-1990s to 2015.

Barring any major disruptions, prospects look good for American toilet paper manufacturing.

Why Buying American-Made Toilet Paper Matters

Beyond just softness and strength, here are some meaningful reasons to purchase toilet paper proudly made in the USA:

Supports domestic manufacturing jobs – Buying American ensures more of your dollars go toward providing stable employment and incomes for US workers and their families.
Reduces environmental impact – Shorter supply chains and strict US environmental regulations result in more ecologically friendly paper production and transportation.
Higher quality assurance – The stringent quality control at American factories results in exceptionally reliable and consistent toilet paper.
Boosts local economies – Manufacturing toilet paper domestically keeps money circulating closer to home rather than sending it abroad.
Peace of mind on ingredients – US food safety standards alleviate concerns over potentially harmful substances.

So when you reach for that package of Charmin, Cottonelle or Angel Soft, rest assured you‘re choosing a quality American-made product that also benefits communities here at home. Your purchase power can make a real difference.