Singapore, renowned for its cleanliness, will allocate $7.5 million to enhance and deep clean public toilets at coffee shops, according to the environment ministry.
A “Public Toilets Taskforce” was established by the ministry last year to identify lavatories that consistently received poor cleanliness ratings. However, toilets demonstrating excellence in design and cleanliness can apply for “Happy Toilet Programme” (HTP) certification, said the ministry in a statement.
The Happy Toilet Programme, launched in 2003 by Singapore’s Restroom Association, grades public toilets from one to six stars. As the Restroom Association’s website notes, “In total, we spend almost three years of our lives in the toilet; it’s natural and it’s normal, so let’s learn to say, ‘Wow! That’s a great toilet!’ and tell our friends about it.”
Under the new scheme, coffee shop operators can apply for government funding covering up to 95% of toilet renovation costs, capped at $50,000. Grants for deep cleaning are also available.
Singapore’s reputation for cleanliness is rooted in its history. After gaining independence in 1965, authorities invested heavily in changing local mindsets on littering and creating a clean, green city. The government has run numerous anti-littering campaigns, and heavy fines are imposed for littering and failing to flush public toilets.
The environment ministry emphasized that legislation and law enforcement are crucial in maintaining public toilet cleanliness standards. Last year, over 1,000 “enforcement actions,” including fines and warnings, were taken against premises owners and managers for failing to maintain clean toilets.