World Toilet Day : NPR

Flying toilets! Sobering stats! Poo Guru's debut! Yes, it's time for World Toilet Day

A sign from Valencia, Spain, is a reminder of how important it is to have access to a safe toilet. Kristina Ketelsen hide caption

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Kristina Ketelsen

Flying toilets! Sobering stats! Poo Guru's debut! Yes, it's time for World Toilet Day

November 18, 2022 • November 19 is World Toilet Day, created by the U.N. in 2013. At issue: Billions of people do not have access to a safe toilet. But how do you get the world to pay attention to this forgotten problem?

It's World Toilet Day! Time for quirky signs (thanks, readers) ... and serious talk

TK Clockwise from left: Kim Worsham; Bradley Phillips; Michelle Hiebert; Maria Khan NPR hide caption

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NPR

It's World Toilet Day! Time for quirky signs (thanks, readers) ... and serious talk

November 19, 2021 • Let's take time off from pondering the pandemic to enjoy some toilet humor courtesy of signage sent in by our audience — and also to think about how lucky we are if we have a safe toilet.

Toilet Signs Give The Scoop On Pee And Poop

A German toilet suggests "Please help us divide" — although doesn't it all end up in the same place at the end of the day? king of monks/Flickr hide caption

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king of monks/Flickr

Toilet Signs Give The Scoop On Pee And Poop

November 19, 2019 • In honor of World Toilet Day, here is a sampling of toilet etiquette signage. It's hard to argue with advice like: "Please use a toilet finely."

PHOTOS: Peep At The Toilets Of 7 Families Around The World

This is likely a pit toilet. The idea is that there's a giant hole underneath the toilet. It's from Revben and Havenes Banda's home in a rural village in Malawi. They live with their five children and five grandchildren; their monthly income is $50. Zoriah Miller for Dollar Street hide caption

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Zoriah Miller for Dollar Street

Goats and Soda

PHOTOS: Peep At The Toilets Of 7 Families Around The World

November 19, 2017 • On World Toilet Day — November 19 — the goal is to raise awareness about the importance of toilets in reducing diarrheal disease. These pictures show that toilets can come in all shapes and sizes.

Toilet Signs Are Mysterious And Mirth-Inducing

A toilet sign in Kyoto, Japan, offers some helpful and humorous advice. Martin Child/Getty Images hide caption

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Martin Child/Getty Images

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Toilet Signs Are Mysterious And Mirth-Inducing

November 18, 2017 • The signs offer important advice. But it seems they can't help but offer humor as well.

Lollapa-LOO-za: A Toilet Day Festival And Its Host City's Toilet Options

Leif Parsons for NPR

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Lollapa-LOO-za: A Toilet Day Festival And Its Host City's Toilet Options

November 19, 2016 • Let's take a grand tour of Mumbai's toilets, from deluxe to holes in the ground for squatting to ... the railroad tracks?

Diarrhea 101: Time To Talk About Something We Don't Usually Talk About

A mother holds her child at a diarrhea treatment center set up and run by the public health organization Calcutta Kids. Yvan Cohen/LightRocket via Getty Images hide caption

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Yvan Cohen/LightRocket via Getty Images

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Diarrhea 101: Time To Talk About Something We Don't Usually Talk About

November 18, 2016 • Everyone has diarrhea from time to time. For most, it's often no more than an inconvenience. But with the right mix of toxic circumstances, it can prove deadly.

To Make A Big Stink About Diarrhea, Ask 'Em To Write A Poo-em

A trio of toilets, photographed by Samantha Russell, a Peace Corps volunteer, in Viti Levu Island, Fiji. Samantha Russell/Courtesy of PATH hide caption

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Samantha Russell/Courtesy of PATH

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To Make A Big Stink About Diarrhea, Ask 'Em To Write A Poo-em

November 17, 2016 • Defeat DD is raising awareness for the No. 2 killer of children under five around the world — by getting people to write haikus about poop.

You Won't Believe How Many Special Days Are On The U.N. Calendar

Patric Sandri for NPR

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You Won't Believe How Many Special Days Are On The U.N. Calendar

January 16, 2016 • The answer: 129 (give or take). They range from serious (victims of slavery day) to seemingly silly (toilet day). Do the days really make a difference?

If You Follow These Signs, You'll Flush With Success: #WorldToiletDay

A sign in Indonesian shows how not to sit on a toilet. Tracy Hunter/Flickr hide caption

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Tracy Hunter/Flickr

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If You Follow These Signs, You'll Flush With Success: #WorldToiletDay

November 19, 2015 • Billions of people around the world don't use flush toilets. That's why there are so many signs that explain what to do — and what not to do.

Happy #WorldToiletDay! Here's What It's Like To Live Without One

Maria Fabrizio for NPR

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Happy #WorldToiletDay! Here's What It's Like To Live Without One

November 19, 2015 • Walk to the stinky community toilet. Stand in line. Dance to keep from peeing. Curse the people inside for taking too long. Never go at night because predators lurk.

Me, Myself And The Loo: A Woman's Future Can Rest On A Toilet

"Parents enroll their kids here because of our child-friendly toilets," says Eunice, the co-founder of a Kenyan school with latrines designed specially for kids. Frederic Courbet/WSUP/Panos hide caption

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Frederic Courbet/WSUP/Panos

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Me, Myself And The Loo: A Woman's Future Can Rest On A Toilet

November 19, 2014 • "My Toilet," a new photo exhibit in London, documents how commodes — or the lack of a proper one — affect the health, safety and education of girls and women around the world.

Toilets 'R' Him: Jack Sim Wants A Potty In Every Pad

Jack Sim, the founder of World Toilet Day, travels the world promoting access to safe and clean toilets. John Poole/Ryan Kellman/NPR hide caption

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John Poole/Ryan Kellman/NPR

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Toilets 'R' Him: Jack Sim Wants A Potty In Every Pad

November 19, 2014 • The Singapore activist created World Toilet Day in 2001, got U.N. sponsorship last year and posed for us on a toilet outdoors on a freezing day. That's how committed he is to bringing toilets to all.

Wilbur Sargunaraj "How to Use An Eastern Toilet" from YouTube Wilbur World Wide hide caption

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Wilbur World Wide

Goats and Soda

Take The Plunge Into World Toilet Day

November 19, 2014 • They say every dog has its day. So does every toilet. And that day is today: World Toilet Day.