How to Observe World Toilet Day

Last Updated: March 14, 2023 References

World Toilet Day was first unofficially observed on 19th November 2001^{[1]
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Research source} – but on 24th July 2013, the United Nations General Assembly officially designated 19th November as World Toilet Day.^{[2]
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Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations
Specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for leading international efforts to end world hunger and improve nutrition
Go to source} Since then, 19th November is observed as World Toilet Day annually to take action to tackle the global sanitation crisis.^{[3]
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Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations
Specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for leading international efforts to end world hunger and improve nutrition
Go to source} It is intended to celebrate toilets and raise awareness about the billions of people living without a proper toilet.^{[4]
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Research source} Would you like to do your part to help on this day? We here at wikiHow will cover what you do to help with the global sanitation crisis.

1

Get to know the theme of the year.

Each year, there is a different theme for World Toilet Day. For example, in 2021, the theme for World Toilet Day is ‘Valuing Toilets’.^{[5]
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Research source} In 2021, this day aims to raise awareness about the 3.6 billion^{[6]
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Research source} to 4.5 billion^{[8]
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World Health Organization
Health information and news provided by the World Health Organization
Go to source} people who are living without access to safely managed sanitation.^{[10]
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World Health Organization
Health information and news provided by the World Health Organization
Go to source}
- World Toilet Day also plans to help achieve Sustainable Development Goal #6, which involves all having access to sanitation and clean water by the year 2030.^{[11]
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  World Health Organization
  Health information and news provided by the World Health Organization
  Go to source}

2

Educate yourself.

Education is crucial to work towards any goal.^{[12]
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Research source} It's important to understand the global sanitation crisis, because it'll help you understand its seriousness. It's also important to find reliable information, and exchange knowledge with each other. Sources of information could be anything—the internet, books, or even other people, as long as the information is credible.
- Research the history of toilets, if you'd like. Toilets weren't always as they are now! If you're one who likes to gather additional knowledge and research, learning about the history of toilets could be fun for you.
- Plan a trip to a toilet museum if you want. To preserve the history of the toilet, there are lots of museums dedicated to the global history of sanitation and toilets.^{[13]
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  Research source} These are to remind us of the evolution of our toilets and sanitary systems.^{[14]
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3

Wear blue.

Support organizations that are working for toilets by wearing blue. ‘Blue for the Loo’ is a way to involve everyone who is fundraising to show support for organizations working for the availability of toilets.^{[15]
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Research source} If you can, wear blue on this day.
- Consider wearing blue, painting your face blue, cooking blue food, or even wearing a water-themed costume.^{[16]
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4

Help spread the word.

For some, World Toilet Day is relatively unknown. Informing others about the day is a great way to celebrate it! You can start with family, friends, classmates, co-workers and anyone else you know. You can talk about this with them on social media, over text or on the phone, or even just in conversation with them.
- You can talk about how and when World Toilet Day started to be observed, statistics about people who don't have access to toilets, and any other facts you might know about this day or its goals and aims.
- Be direct while you have the conversation. For example, you might say “Hey! Did you know that it's World Toilet Day every year on 19th November? It's observed to raise awareness about the billions of people living without a toilet. Toilet Day was first observed in 2001, but in 2013, the UN officially declared 19th November as World Toilet Day.”
- Avoid speaking in a jokey tone, and emphasize the fact that such a day officially exists. Use official sites like https://www.un.org/en/observances/toilet-day if you need to, as evidence that you're not joking.
- Don't be embarrassed to state the facts. Explain everything properly, avoid rushing through the discussion, and be prepared to answer any questions that they might have!

5

Take a “toilet selfie” and share it online.

Show how lucky you are to have a toilet by sharing selfies with one. Every time you visit the bathroom, remind yourself how lucky you are to have a toilet! Instead of thinking of toilets as “dirty”, “dark”, or “smelly” places, think of them as “clean”, “bright”, and “not smelly” places.^{[18]
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Research source} This doesn't mean toilets can't ever be dirty, dark, or smelly at times, but they don't have to be.
- Take a selfie with a toilet, and share it on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Flickr or Twitter with hashtags like #toiletselfie.^{[19]
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6

Do a “big squat”, raising awareness about open defecation.

Share photos of you squatting online. About 1 billion people (15% of the global population) still practise open defecation – try the “big squat” to raise awareness about it. Typically, to do it, you visit a public place, gather up family and friends, squat, take photos or videos and upload them on social media.^{[20]
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- Because of COVID-19, it's important to practice social distancing and avoid public gatherings, so consider trying the big squat by yourself at home, or in less-crowded places.^{[21]
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  World Health Organization
  Health information and news provided by the World Health Organization
  Go to source}
- ‘Stop, drop, squat and share!’ Click photos, or even shoot videos, and share them on social media platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, Vine, Instagram, Flickr, Facebook or Twitter with hashtags like #bigsquat, #worldtoiletday and #opendefecation.^{[22]
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7

Write to your local representatives.

Let your representatives know that you support toilet maintenance. Send an e-mail or write a letter to your local representative or other government official, and let them know that public toilets in your region concern you.^{[23]
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- Consider whether your area needs new toilet facilities, and whether or not the ones you have are safely accessible, clean and well-maintained. If you think the toilet ratio for men and women is inappropriate, mention that, too.^{[24]
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8

Pay to pee if you can.

In some countries, public toilets can ask you for money.^{[25]
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Research source} The exact amount may vary, but it generally won’t be a lot—so try to pay it when you can! Think of it as a small donation every time you use the toilet.^{[26]
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- This money will generally be used for the maintenance of toilets, but never know how much a person who used to practice pen defecation would appreciate it if they get to access well-maintained public toilets!^{[27]
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  United Nations
  Official site for the United Nations, an intergovernmental organization devoted to maintaining peace and building relationships between all nations.
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9

Set up a fundraiser.

Fundraisers are great ways to raise awareness about an issue. It not only spreads the word to people you know, but it also spreads the word to your community. Consider organizing a fundraiser, if you can.^{[28]
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- Try to get as many people involved as possible—the more people who are involved, the larger the difference will be.

10

Donate to trusted organizations.

Many organizations are helping with the global sanitation crisis. Consider donating to one of them to support their efforts. You don't need to donate a large sum—even seemingly tiny donations can make a difference!
- Unfortunately, not all charities will put your donation to good use. It is important to be able to identify such scams beforehand. Use websites like Charity Navigator, GiveWell, CharityWatch or the Better Business Bureau to find reputable organizations. Check out their ratings, reviews, and breakdowns of how the organizations use their funds.^{[29]
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  Federal Trade Commission
  Website with up-to-date information for consumers from the Federal Trade Commisson
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- Some trusted websites working to make toilets available for all and alleviate the global sanitation crisis that accept donations include World Toilet Organization, Water.org and Sanitation First, just to name a few.

Community Q&A

Question

Should I get a new toilet for World Toilet Day? I don't want to have to spend a lot of money.

Butterfly

Community Answer

No, unless you require it. World Toilet Day isn't just about getting new toilets, but rather is about making them available to those who don't have one and helping fight the global sanitation crisis. Toilets typically need replacement every 25 years, so if your toilet is newer than that and is in good condition, there's really no need to replace it. Getting a new toilet can be expensive – and you don't want to be spending extra money unless you require it. If your toilet is old and damaged, however, it might be a good time to get a new one.