Why China’s Public Toilets Now Require Ads for Toilet Paper

China Implements QR Code Toilet Paper System to Curb Public Restroom Waste.Some public restrooms in China are introducing a new system. Citizens must scan a QR code to receive toilet paper. This policy is active now in various locations. Officials say it aims to reduce waste.The measure requires users to watch a short advertisement. This process grants them a limited amount of paper. The system represents a novel approach to public resource management.

How the New Public Amenity System Operates

Users approach a designated toilet paper dispenser. They must scan a unique QR code using their smartphone. A brief advertisement then plays on their device.After watching the ad, the dispenser releases a set length of paper. Reports indicate the amount is roughly two feet. If more paper is needed, the process must be repeated. Alternatively, users can pay a small fee to skip the ad.According to Reuters, this system helps manage costs. It turns a public expense into a minor revenue stream. The model is being tested in parks and transit stations.

Public Reaction and Privacy Concerns Resurface

Public reaction is mixed. Some citizens accept the measure as a necessary step. They agree it could effectively reduce unnecessary waste.Others find the process inconvenient and intrusive. Critics compare it to previous controversial measures. In 2017, a Beijing park installed facial recognition dispensers. That earlier system raised significant alarm over data privacy.This new method still requires a personal smartphone. It links a private device to a public utility request. For many, this feels like another step towards a surveillance society. The balance between conservation and privacy remains a tense debate.

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The new QR code toilet paper system highlights a global struggle with public resource management. While innovative, it underscores the extreme measures some governments will take. This China toilet paper policy continues to spark discussion on efficiency versus personal freedom.

Info at your fingertips

Q1: Why is China making people scan for toilet paper?

Officials state it is a waste prevention measure. It discourages people from taking excessive amounts of paper. The goal is to reduce costs and promote conservation.

Q2: Do you have to pay for the toilet paper?

The paper itself is technically free after watching an ad. However, if someone needs more, they can pay a small fee to bypass the ad-watching step. The fee is around 0.5 Yuan (7 cents USD).

Q3: Where is this system being used?

The system has been reported in public restrooms in high-traffic areas. These include city parks, tourist attractions, and some public transit stations. It is not yet a nationwide standard.

Q4: Has China done anything like this before?

Yes. A more extreme system was tested in 2017. It used facial recognition technology to dispense a set amount of paper per person. That system was heavily criticized and later scaled back.

Q5: What has the public reaction been?

Reactions are divided. Some people support the effort to reduce waste. Others find it an inconvenient and unnecessary intrusion into a basic public service.