Shoppers cautioned not to panic buy amidst port strike

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (KCTV) - At a popular warehouse store in Overland Park, It’s like a scene from 2020, during the COVID pandemic.

A walk down the toilet paper aisle and you can’t miss the empty shelves. These images are also circulating on social media.

It’s a rising concern of a paper product shortage stemming from the port strike. Forty-five thousand dockworkers are on the picket line along the East and Gulf Coasts, demanding higher pay and protections from automation, which may eventually make their jobs obsolete.

But their actions are now leading to shortages in stores, which is sparking panic buying.

KCTV5 has learned is all unnecessary, the strike will have no impact on the paper supply.

The majority of U.S. toilet paper comes from domestic factories and the rest comes from Canada and Mexico, meaning it arrives by rail or truck and not by ship.

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We contacted the American Forest & Paper Association, which represents about 87% of all US paper products. In a statement, the organization quelled fears over any shortages.

In other words, stop the toilet paper bum rush. There’s plenty to go around.

ALSO READ: Port strike sparking another rush to buy toilet paper, shoppers saying shelves are empty

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