Public toilets are vanishing and that's a civic catastrophe

Tech / Mapping Solutions

• Many want better mapping of toilets (especially for older people and those with bowel conditions).
• Some note Apple Maps and Google Maps already list many restrooms but coverage is sparse.
• Others argue big tech isn’t needed: OpenStreetMap plus apps like Organic Maps and “Where is Public Toilet” already support restroom and drinking‑water mapping, but data is incomplete.

Design, Safety, and Privacy

• US stall gaps are widely criticized as making users feel exposed.
• Explanations offered: easier cleaning, flood tolerance, prefab tolerances, rare codes, and emergency access.
• Others see them as intentional surveillance/shaming to discourage lingering and off‑task behavior.

Costs, Maintenance, and Misuse

• Cleaning and repairing public toilets is described as hard, unpleasant, and expensive.
• Retail and fast‑food workers report frequent extreme messes and vandalism; employers struggle to retain staff who must deal with this.
• Some cities report very high per‑toilet operating costs due to required security and constant monitoring.

Homelessness, Drugs, and Social Trust

• Many link restroom closures to rising homelessness, drug use, and low social trust.
• Businesses fear restrooms being used for drugs, sex, and sleeping; some lock or remove facilities entirely.
• Others argue the root problems (addiction, mental health, weak enforcement) must be addressed rather than shifting the burden to businesses.

Regional Differences and Models

• Experiences vary widely:
  • Japan, Finland, parts of Australia and Canada are praised for abundant, clean, free toilets.
  • UK, Germany, Norway, some US cities are criticized for scarcity or paywalls.
  • Pay toilets in Europe are common; some see them as fair funding, others as exploitative and often still dirty.
  • China reportedly moved toward mostly free toilets in public transport and buildings, framed as “civilized” and aided by strict drug laws.

Pay vs Free and Policy Debates

• Some advocate toilets as a government‑funded basic service, like roads or parks, with no per‑use fee.
• Others favor modest user fees or “buy something” norms to fund maintenance and add friction against misuse.
• US bans on pay toilets are blamed by some for today’s “no options except Starbucks” reality.

Equity and Vulnerable Groups

• People with invisible disabilities, older adults, parents, and the poor are seen as most harmed by scarcity and paywalls.
• Schemes like the UK’s Radar Key (locked accessible toilets) help some but raise concerns about locking down facilities in general.