The memory of pandemic-era shortages has resurfaced for many Americans as reports of toilet paper hoarding and empty store shelves flood social media platforms. The term “Toilet Paper Shortage 2.0” began trending after panicked buyers wiped out stock in major retailers like Walmart and Costco, responding to a perceived threat of supply disruption. But here’s the kicker: there’s no real danger of running out of toilet paper.
The chaos comes in the wake of a port strike that began Tuesday, impacting ports from Maine to Texas. However, the strike has zero effect on the supply of toilet paper. Over 90% of the toilet paper consumed in the United States is produced domestically. A small percentage is imported from Canada and Mexico, but that supply is transported by rail or truck, bypassing the ports currently facing disruption.
Social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) became a breeding ground for misinformation, with users sharing photos of barren shelves and stoking fears of a repeat of 2020’s shortages. One user from Virginia posted a picture of empty shelves in their local Walmart, writing, “Toilet paper hoarding 2.0!” Meanwhile, others from New Jersey shared similar observations, noting that big box stores like Costco and Target had low or no stock.
The American Forest and Paper Association has clarified that the strike poses no threat to the domestic supply of toilet paper. In fact, if anything, the strike might lead to an excess of toilet paper, not a shortage. The real concern lies with perishable goods like bananas, which heavily rely on the affected ports for import.
While panic buying may cause temporary outages in certain stores, the reality is that there is no impending toilet paper crisis. Any products hoarded today will likely outlast the panic itself, potentially sitting in closets for years—until the next wave of viral rumors.
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This new round of hoarding shows the power of social media in triggering mass consumer behavior, even when there’s no real supply threat in sight. Let’s hope this time around, common sense will prevail.
