"They're Clean": Why Empty Toilet Paper Rolls Are Selling on Secondhand Market

Listings spotted on Daangn Market and Bunjang
From daycare craft materials to nose-work activities for dogs

Empty toilet paper rolls are drawing attention as recyclable items. Some are being sold on secondhand marketplaces for around 100 won each.

A recent social media post sharing the writer's experience selling toilet paper rolls on a secondhand marketplace has attracted attention.

According to the writer, identified as A, after they posted a listing titled "Toilet paper rolls in good condition," a buyer expressed interest in purchasing 20 rolls at once. A described it as "a creative economy where the proceeds from selling toilet paper rolls can be used to buy new toilet paper."

Toilet paper rolls, along with paper towel tubes and paper tubes in various sizes, are reportedly being traded on secondhand marketplaces. Sellers have also drawn attention for emphasizing the quality of their toilet paper rolls, describing them as "clean and in good condition."

Toilet paper rolls being traded on secondhand platforms. Screenshot from social media (SNS)

Previously, a media report in June said that more than 30 listings for toilet paper rolls and ice packs had appeared over the course of a month on a local Karrot marketplace in Seoul.

The cylindrical shape of toilet paper rolls makes them useful for creating a variety of models, such as animals, rockets, and telescopes. As a result, teachers and parents preparing craft activities at daycare centers and kindergartens are reportedly among the main groups looking for them. When several are needed at once, buying them secondhand can often be more convenient than collecting them one by one at home.

They can also be used as play materials for pets. Putting treats inside a toilet paper roll or folding in both ends to make a simple toy can provide dogs with a nose-work activity in which they sniff out the treats. Some pet owners have shared their experiences using toilet paper rolls on social media, saying, "My dog likes toilet paper rolls more than expensive toys."

Toilet paper rolls can also be placed inside shoes damp from rain or sweat, where the paper absorbs moisture and helps them dry. If attached to the nozzle of a vacuum cleaner and flattened at the end, a roll can serve as a makeshift nozzle for removing dust from window frames or gaps in furniture. Another suggested use is to cut a roll lengthwise and fit the two halves over the sides of a wire hanger. This widens the area that touches the clothing and can help prevent marks on the shoulders of knitwear or shirts.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.