Editorial | Spruce up public toilets and Hong Kong’s image

The Hong Kong Toilet Association considers some of the worst facilities to be in such poor shape that regular cleaning would not improve them. Association president Henry Hung Chi-kuen said the survey results pointed out a need to refurbish some older toilets.

But there is relief at the success of the top three toilets, including two in busy tourist hotspots. The facility in the Lan Kwai Fong nightlife district earned top honours for public toilet cleanliness on the list on Tuesday.

The annual survey singled out Kam Tin Shi public toilet in Yuen Long as the second cleanest toilet, followed by Catchick Street Garden public toilet in Western district, where many visitors take in sea views along New Praya in Kennedy Town. Two years ago, Catchick Street Garden was identified as the city’s worst.

The latest worst toilet was on Kowloon City Road in To Kwa Wan. The association said it was dirty, with a foul smell, a wet floor and many cubicles in need of repair. Also in the bottom three were the fourth-storey toilet of Kai Tin Shopping Centre in Lam Tin and another facility at Sai Ying Pun market on Centre Street.

Other cities are focused on tackling their toilet troubles. New York City aims to nearly double its number of public toilets by 2035. Tokyo recently had famous architects design public conveniences under the Tokyo Toilet Project that was featured in the 2023 film Perfect Days.