Archive · 20 Sep 2025
China: Ads or Fees for Public Restroom Toilet Paper
In some public restrooms in China, people must now watch ads on their phones or pay a small fee to get toilet paper.
This is a new way to stop people from taking too much paper.
The video quickly went viral, with people reacting with a mix of shock and laughter.
One person commented on the practice saying "this is the first actually dystopian thing I have seen."
The system aims to cut down waste, as some people would otherwise take excessive free paper.
In 2017, Beijing installed dispensers using facial recognition to control how much paper people took.
Public restrooms in China are implementing ad-based toilet paper dispensers.
Users scan a QR code and watch ads to receive toilet paper.
Alternatively, users can pay 0.5 RMB to skip the ads.
The initiative aims to prevent overuse of toilet paper.
This is not the first time China has implemented a measure like this.
- Who
- Public restroom users in China
- What
- Must watch ads or pay to get toilet paper
- When
- Recently implemented
- Where
- Public restrooms in China
- Why
- To prevent overuse of toilet paper
Critics
Authorities
Accessibility and Practicality
Critics
Concerned about those without phones or money.
Authorities
The measure is intended to curb misuse.
- Initiative
- Users must watch ads or pay to get toilet paper
- Cost to Skip Ads
- 0.5 RMB (approximately ₹6)
- Purpose
- Reduce toilet paper waste
- Method
- Scan QR code, watch ad, or pay fee
- Prior Measure
- Facial recognition dispensers in 2017
- Prior Location
- Beijing's Temple of Heaven park
