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November 19th was World Toilet Day #WorldToiletDay. I don’t know about in your home but the #men in mine seem to live in our restroom so it makes sense to celebrate #WorldToiletDay. I was looking online for Gifts for David and Charlie I found Fathers Day Dad Gift from Wife Son Daughter, Toliet Timer Poop Funny Gag Gifts Who Wants Nothing Birthday Gift Ideas, Cool Stuff Gadgets White Elephant Gifts and The Ultimate Bathroom Reader: Interesting Stories, Fun Facts and Just Crazy Weird Stuff to Keep You Entertained on the Throne! (Perfect Gag Gift).
November 19th was designated as World Toilet Day by the United Nations General Assembly, and is coordinated every year by a partnership between UN-Water and governments around the world. Today, we talk about the one invention that’s kept hidden behind closed doors, but is undeniably important. Read below for an “ode to the commode”
Jack Sim, a philanthropist from Singapore, founded the World Toilet Organization on November 19th, 2001, subsequently declaring the day World Toilet Day. The WTO chose “World Toilet Day” as opposed to “World Sanitation Day” for ease of public messaging, though toilets are the first stage of sanitation apparatuses.
World Toilet Day was made to spread and increase public awareness of broader sanitations systems such including Development Goals and calls for adequate sanitation, which includes the system assuring that waste is safely processed. Their efforts to call attention to the sanitation crises were strengthened in 2010 when the right to water and sanitation was officially declared a human right by the UN.
In 2013, a joint effort between the Government of Singapore and the World Toilet Organization led to Singapore’s first UN resolution called “Sanitation for All.” This resolution called for the collective action to end the world sanitation crises.
As a result, World Toilet Day was declared an official UN day and the resolution was adopted by 122 Countries at the 67th session of the UN General Assembly in New York. During World Toilet Day 2015, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon advocated action to renew efforts to provide access to satisfactory sanitation for all, reminding everyone of the “Call to Action on Sanitation” which was launched in 2013 and aimed to end open defecation by 2025.
How to Observe World Toilet Day
- As strange as it is to say, the history of the toilet, and plumbing in general, is a fascinating read. From the ancient Romans to the Middle East to John Crapper and today’s futuristic thrones, there’s plenty to learn about. We’re sure there’s a joke about the perfect place to do said reading.
- With all the tact you can muster (and perhaps a quick clean before), post a picture of your own toilet on Social Media to raise awareness of World Toilet Day, with the appropriate hashtag. Or, use your internet search skills to track down some of the best toilets in the world, and share with your friends. Great view? Cool design? The perfect toilet is out there for you to find.
- With the help and guidance of UN-Water and its partners, you can host an event to raise funds for the cause or simply to increase awareness. The official World Toilet Day website even offers a tool to help you connect with others hosting a similar event all around the world.
Why World Toilet Day is Important
Just like you after a Big Gulp, this can’t wait. UN statistics show that Diarrhea caused by poor sanitation and unsafe water kills 315,000 children every year. What’s more, productivity is falling due to lack of sanitation and poor hygiene practices in workplaces in several Countries, costing them as much as 5 percent of their gross domestic product.
World Toilet Day is all about shedding light on a subject that is often deemed inappropriate. While we don’t suggest documenting the when, why, and how of your bathroom habits on Social Media, it can definitely be a day to open the conversation about sanitation issues in the world. As the UN puts it, there’s a taboo around talking toilets, and it’s time to break it.
From the first flush toilet to innovations being made to November 19 World Toilet Day #WorldToiletDay, toilets and plumbing have changed the way we live. Now, thanks to recent advancements, consumers aren’t wasting hundreds of billions of gallons of water and billions of dollars each year.
In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notes that if everyone in the Country used an eco-friendly plumbing system, we could save 3 trillion gallons of water and more than $17 billion, every year. Now that’s something to celebrate.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
