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In today’s episode of tilting at windmills I’m going to complain about Costco‘s changes to their Kirkland-branded bath tissue / toilet paper / bog roll. I’ve been buying this toilet paper ever since first getting a Costco membership in 2001. It is a nice, basic, soft two-ply which is reasonably priced and which feels nice on my behind.
Unfortunately, when I went to purchase a new pack a few weeks ago (it comes in such quantities that I only have to buy some a couple times a year), I found that each individual roll is now wrapped in plastic. Additionally, the texture of the paper itself seems to have changed. The surface area of each roll is still listed as the same (53.1 sq ft / 49.2 m²), but the new roll seems to have a different texture and feel softer. A non-representative sampling of one roll each (the two above, unwrapped) showed that the new roll has a mass of 171g compared to the old roll’s 161g.
The texture of the paper is not a concern as it’s still sufficiently (and comfortably) capable of removing filth from my nether regions and capturing my nose blowings, but I really don’t like the move towards plastic packaging. While the large pack of rolls has been wrapped in plastic for as long as I’ve been purchasing it, the previous paper wrapping seemed considerably more environmentally conscious.
Personally, I would like it if both the outer and per-roll wrapper were made from non-plasticized paper, with the inner core (the tube) degradable and thus flushable. Or, maybe the core could simply be removed†. It would be nice if the outer wrappings were also degradable, but simply making them from a compostable material is would be sufficient.
† I have seen, and used, tubeless toilet paper dispensers in public restrooms, but they use a dual-peg system to holding the paper instead of a through-axel like design. In these the paper is wound from the center all the way out, with a very tight winding in the center which is indented on the sides for the pegs. This would make these new rolls incompatible with the defacto world wide standard holder.
The wrappers can be recycled along with the plastic bags. Our local Fry’s has a bin to drop all plastic bags in. I just include the TP wrappers (large and small) now too. And the cardboard roll goes in with the newspapers. Now – can you tell me if Costco’s Kirkland TP has any recycled content?
I don’t mind the plastic wrap as I recycle everything I can. What bothers me is that the quality of this paper has been drastically reduced. The paper seems to be much thinner and the 2 plys separate all the time. Bring back the quality you had. I don’t plan on ever purchasing this toilet paper again due the the extreme poor quality of the ‘new’ product.
We have bought this toilet paper for years and noticed that it has changed. It used to be so soft and now iot is the most horrible sandpaper/toilet paper we have ever used! My nose is raw my bum is raw…we will never purchase this again. I used to tell friends and family that anything Kirkland is great quality and you can’t go wrong with their products but now I’m a little worried. What next? Is the dog food and other items going to cheap out too?
we have also bought kirkland toilet paper for years the quality has been drastically reduced so thin and much less on a roll. terrible toilet paper i wont be buying it again. also the kirkland kleenex is terrible you blow once and thats it youve blown right thru. whats going on awfull products
I like the toilet paper individually wrapped. I have a business and the individually wrapped tp works great. I also use it at home at it’s so hygienic being individually wrapped. I went to Costco a month ago and they had totally changed the packaging. Now they have 6 rolls in a plastic bag, so now when u open the plastic, all the other rolls are exposed!!!! Now, I have to find a new Vendor that individually wraps the TP. I’m so disappointed, because I’ve been using this brand for 6 yrs now!!!
I have the same issue as Caren. I bought for the individual wrapping. If it is not individually wrapped, I may as well buy it elsewhere, at a lesser price than Costco’s. As far as exposed, at home, I put the rolls in individual plastic bags, which I reuse. However, that would be a bit tacky in a place of business. Caren, many housekeeping supply houses sell TP by the 48 roll case, with the rolls in an individual paper wrapping.
Have used this toilet paper from Costco for 12 years. liked the individual wrap and soft feel. No more . Will go elsewear if it stays the same. Rough, thin, no wrap. NOT GOOD.
Kirkland brand toilet tissue costs more to use in the long run. The paper is so thin that your fingers go through it when trying to use it hence you need two times the amount you would normally need. The paper is not soft, does not tear evenly off the roll.
Another brand name product cheapened for the dollar. Won’t buy it again.
The quality of Kirkland toilet tissue has changed it is rough, need to use more because of it being so thin, separates and doesn’t tear properly Been a customer for 10 years. Could you please revaluate your product?
Yhank you
I have been a COSTCO member since before COSTCO (remember Price Club?), probably near 30 years, and can’t recall buying toilet paper anyplace other than COSTCO or any brand other than the COSTCO/Kirkland brand. In the last year or so the quality has reduced substantially. It appears that if you apply liquid to the tissue it immediately dissolves into a sodden mass of tissue balls. Yuck! Definitely does not do the job. I’ve also noticed the product wrap change, and prefer the individually wrapped, but can live with the change.
At this point in my life, its the toilet paper that is a major factor for whether or not I keep the membership.
I’d certainly prefer all of the changes mentioned. I really like Kirkland paper.
That said, I won’t be buying it or their paper towels any more.
It’s manufactured by Georgia Pacific. Georgia Pacific is owned by the Koch Brothers.
I will not knowingly patronize the Koch Brothers or knowingly give them any of my money.
I’ll be switching to Proctor and Gamble or perhaps Scott. But no more Kirkland for me.
Well, we can now add a whole new change to Kirkland TP. They had now packaged it in 5 packages of 6 – no individual wrap. But, not only that, they have (I believe) shortened the size of the roll holder and added more sheets on making the total roll thicker and it does NOT fit in either of my toilet paper dispensers.
This may be the year I quit Costco…and it’s all because of the toilet paper!
I went to blow my nose recently and noticed an unpleasant odor. Began to wonder where this stuff is made. Like is it TOO from China? Packaging stated only distribution origin. I believe I’ve bought my last supply of Costco toilet paper.
I have been purchasing Kirkland bath tissue for years (.10) and was VERY disappointed to find the change in packaging to individually wrapped in plastic! I have to wonder what their rationale for this type of change is, in a world where there is more and more concern about resources and emissions. I can’t imagine it is recycled post consumer waste but will do my best to find out. In terms of quality of the product, we have not noticed a difference that would cause a switch, but if there is no environmentally sound cause for the switch to plastic, that definitely will cause me to switch.
INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED IN PLASTIC IN OREGON. UGH. I actually came online just to write Kirkland about this. I am sharing this on my Facebook page and telling every Costco Shopper I know to do the same…. Bad form Kirkland. Bad Form. I am reconsidering COSTCO membership over this as this has been the ONE ITEM I came in for….
http://shop.costco.com/customer-service/contact-us
We just compared the old Costco paper to the new. And the new isn’t worth a shit!
I agree on both counts. In fact I compared the new tissue to it’s previous counterpart,simply put it is very thin regardless of still having two layers. Even though the print on both packages states 425 sheets, this new one is appears to all my senses as chintzy. I have bought this brand for years but I will no doubt be switching now. I honestly think they changed the package from paper to plastic to try and dupe the consumer. Sure I liked the paper better… although when I held each roll and gave them the ‘cushy’ check it was clearly evident that the plastic wrapped one had far less density. So this once loyal consumer is shall we say far less than wrapped up in this tissues quality.
I very much dislike the new plastic wrapping on the individual rolls. I VERY much wish they had stayed with the paper. The paper was MUCH easier to remove from each roll than the plastic. Frankly I’m starting to think about buying it elsewhere just to avoid the horrid plastic.
I am a guy does nt notice many changes in our house, but I detected a distinct change in the quality and feel of the bath tissue last week. My wife said she was still buying from Costco, but then I saw the change I’m packaging and the did a quick search and found this.
This is the last batch we will be buying. It’s rough, it breaks up in your hand, and seems thinner as well.
I don’t mind paying extra for good quality bath tissue. Bad move by Costco.
I need individually covered packs for my Inn. Where can I find them? Why did Costco change it? Hate the change and will look elsewhere.
Yes the toilet paper from Costco was great and I recently noticed that the new stock is not as soft. I can feel the change and I am not happy. I am from Australia and all our rolls from Costco have always been in plastic. Which I don’t really mind but from the look of things here I would have preferred paper wrapping. It is the quality of the toilet paper that has changed. I am not happy and may have to by a brand that safeway have instead.
I used to live in BC, Canada and the Costco rolls were wrapped in plastic. When I moved to WA, USA the rolls were wrapped in paper and I liked that much better. I have been buying it for 12 years and the quality of Costco’s toilet paper has always been great – until recently. For some reason they have chosen to package it in plastic again, but the real problem is the quality of the actual toilet paper. Having the same difficulty as others above where the 2-ply separates and even worse it seems to break apart very easily leaving pieces of TP around the actual toilet. I don’t consider myself an amateur at wiping my behind – but this is making me rethink my 40 year old technique!!! When I asked my husband the other day if he noticed a change in the Costco TP he looked at me kinda funny, but then said he did. It breaks up quickly, is no longer soft and tears away from the roll in single ply’s. I don’t want this kind of Costco product in my home anymore. Kirkland products used to say me that this was a great product – but no more. We will be looking elsewhere for our bum-wipe now!
Guess what??? In Portland, OR, now the rolls are no longer wrapped individually. They are completely unwrapped. However, the quality still seems good. I guess we can just roll off the top layer before we get started. :-/
First the change to plastic, then they decrease the # of rolls from 36 to 30 ..
DO THEY THINK WE ARE STUPID… YOU ARE AS SLEAZY AS THE OTHERS THAT DECREASE THE SIZE AND KEEP THE PRICE THE SAME
YOU SURE KNOW HOW TO PISS OFF A LOYAL GROUP OF FOLLOWERS
Does anyone know what brand the old TP was??? It was strong enough. This new stuff is awful. It is not strong enough, it breaks through at the most inopportune times (if you know what I mean). And it is way too linty, by the end of the day my undies is full of tiny pieces of TP. So . . . does anyone know what brand the old TP is so I can buy that?????
Having just watched CNBC’s program this past weekend about Costco, EVERYTHING about Costco has become directed toward SHAREHOLDER profits. Every product is reviewed, and the products that their employee’s are responsible for MUST be reviewed periodically for PROFIT improvement and improved MARKETING or else NO BONUS, no promotion, no kiss – a** to senior management, as JOBS are HARD to find, as an employee, you DO what you are ordered to do, right or wrong! So, part of the program focused on, of all things, how they “test” their toilet paper. It was almost hilarious to watch what they do in order to test. And these geniuses make HUGE sums of money over assuming we’ll buy anything. And for many, it works. But we are not all stupid. The CNBC enlightened me, and I am more wary than ever relative to COST and VALUE, thank you CNBC, and Costco….you can do better than this. Beware, some day YOU will find new competition. For me, I’m am squeezing the Charmin and buying it when the local chain grocery store puts it up for sale….at a much better price than Costco’s.
A few months ago, Costo changed the toilet paper in the Beaverton area too. The original (blue paper wrapping) was really what I went into Costco for, for the past 10 years. I’d then buy other stuff while I was in the store. Since they switched to the SINGLE plastic rolls, the first time I used it, it felt like sandpaper, like someone else here pointed out. I am not exaggerating. It really felt that bad! My anal area started to feel painful from the new toilet paper. Then, Costo changed to the 6 rolls in one big plastic bag. The quality seems to be slightly better than the single plastic versions, however, still not as good as the original version. My anal area still hurts sometimes. I am going in to cancel my membership tomorrow, and will make sure Costo knows the reason why. In fact, I saw on PBS/OPB or Discovery that toilet paper is one of the biggest sellers for Costo, and that they make most of their money from the $50 membership. Costo, you snooze, your lose.
Holly, the old brand is the same as the new brand: Kirkland. The problem is that Kirkland has decided to cut corners and use less quality materials in the TP. You will need to look for an entirely different brand. Sorry.
I didn’t mind the plastic-wrapped stuff but the oversized rolls in the new six-pack are a bust if for no other reason than they are too large for my tower, which I’m not ready to give up, so I’ll probably end up going with another brand.
I have been buying Costco’s toilet paper for years. Recently we noticed the drastic change in quality, quantity and price. It rolls off in strips and is not soft as it used to be. It has a different feel to it and is not individually wrapped. Also it has caused me to go to the doctor as it gave me a rash. I will be returning this product and will be cancelling my membership. We have noticed lately that many of Costco’s products are not what they used to be and products of better quality can be purchased at Safeway or other stores. Its too bad that Costco has lowered their standards.
Kirkland bath tissue has been so very cheapend that we will never buy it again. For a few dollars a year more we have switched to Charmin. The Kirkland brand seems to shred and tear apart. We find that we are using far less of the Charmin.
Quality of bath tissue has been lowered as it is now one ply and tears off uneven.Quality has really been compromised.
Without a doubt Kirkland toilet paper is the worst product I have ever used. It stinks so badly that I am not able to use it.
Truly disappointed in this product.