There are many guide books that like to grade the amenities in countries around the world. They give 5 star rankings to beaches, cuisine, hotels etc.

But if you visit Singapore you will find  a special sort of awards program… for public toilets.

In Singapore, They take their toilets seriously (no potty humor here). So much so that they have 5 star rankings for toilets and have founded the World Toilet Organization.

Recently, the Restroom Association Singapore (RAS) discovered that only 500 of the country’s public toilets “were up to its standards of working facilities, lack of litter and odor, and the provisions of basic amenities such as hand soap and toilet paper.”

So they launched in 2008, a toilet Campaign called “Lets Observe Ourselves” (Loo) which pushes for cleaner toilets and public awareness.

The seriousness of the toilet campaign can only be fully grasped by the rigorous efforts of the RAS Happy Toilet Program which has a 3 year blue print on public restrooms.

So what are the standards for a 5 star toilet?

• Diaper Changing Stations
• Urinal for Children
• Eco-friendly water-saving taps

RAS President Tan Puay Hoon states “For us, toilet etiquette reflects Singaporeans’ culture. It tells people how civilized we are.”

Who would have thought clean toilets would be a hallmark of civilization.