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What Cities Should Look for When Choosing a Public Restroom

Photo of cleaning cart with tools and buckets standing near restroom door at airport -cm

For decades, city officials have been operating under the false assumption that public restrooms are all built the same. This loo lie has led to a lot of headaches, hassles, and less-than-ideal restroom experiences. In reality, there’s been a renaissance in the public restroom sphere over the past few years with new technologies and revolutionary designs taking over outdated concepts. Whether you’re an activist, concerned citizen, or city leader, let’s take a look at what all cities should consider when choosing a public restroom.

 

Durability

Traditional public restrooms get a bad rap for falling short of their already mediocre lifespans. Some fall into disrepair from even slight misuse while others simply fail the test of time. While this reputation is partially earned, it leaves city officials seeing toilets as nothing more than bottomless money pits. That’s why durability and longevity are some of the most important factors to consider when looking for the right public restroom. Make sure to find a toilet that’s constructed with high-quality and robust materials such as stainless steel.

 

Ease of Maintenance

The hallmark of valuable public restrooms is reducing the amount of work cities have, not increasing it. Ironically, some toilets end up demanding more time, energy, and resources than cities invest when dealing with the fallout of not having facilities. Now, that’s really a drain! Fortunately, there is a public toilet made for maintenance specifically. The Loo features a modular design, graffiti-resistant walls, and highly durable stainless steel, which translates to less upkeep and lower costs.

 

Energy Efficiency

There’s growing impatience for public facilities that exhaust energy supplies. And rightfully so! People should demand a toilet that makes for a more sustainable city. While that might have been a pipe dream in the past, it’s more than possible today. Cities should search for restrooms designed to use less energy with low-flow toilets, LED lights, solar panels, and low voltage energy demand. Just make sure these eco-friendly features don’t detract from performance.

 

Cost-Effective

You should only be flushing a few things down the toilet…and money certainly isn’t one of them! So, why do so many cities see a negative return on their porcelain investments? A lack of proper cost analysis. City leaders crunch the numbers on all other investments (or at least they should!), and public restrooms are no different. You want to find a toilet that’s going to save your city money in the long run.

Further Reading: The LOO Gives Cities More Bang for Their Bathroom Buck

 

Appearance

Sprucing up a restroom shouldn’t feel like putting makeup on a pig! Unfortunately, that’s what cities and citizens have come to expect from run-of-the-mill public toilet options. Good news: The trend of ugly toilets is going away! There’s a new push for sleeker, more modern, aesthetically pleasing restrooms. Customization is even possible with many options which gives cities even greater flexibility when designing public restrooms into their cityscapes.

 

Why the Loo is the City’s Favorite Toilet

  • Durability – The Loo’s minimalist design and stainless steel material keep it up and running for decades!
  • Ease of Maintenance – This restroom actively deters graffiti, loitering, drug use, and other low-level crime that increase maintenance costs.
  • Energy Efficiency – It uses significantly less water, electricity, and materials than the standard restroom for more sustainable cities.
  • Cost-Effective – The Loo is a single investment that is built to last for decades upon decades for a positive ROI.
  • Appearance – Sleek, modern, and fully customizable in color, the Loo is redefining how stylish toilets can be.

 

Looking for ways to bring a Loo to your city? You’re not alone! So far, over a dozen towns spanning the US and even across the border into Canada have adopted the Loo for a better public restroom option. Feel free to contact us for more information.

Interchangeable components

The Portland Loo® is built to fully comply with ADA Standards.

WHY IS THE LOO BETTER THAN ‘AUTOMATED’ ALTERNATIVES?

Automated restrooms prioritize privacy but often compromise safety, durability, and comfort. The Portland Loo® is uniquely designed to balance user privacy with public safety, ensuring a clean, safe, and accommodating restroom experience. Its minimal design also lowers maintenance costs compared to more complex automated alternatives.

Interchangeable components

Made with commonly used components, upgrading or replacing pieces of The Portland Loo® is easy.

CAN THE LOO COME IN CUSTOM COLORS?

Yes, the Loo can be customized in a range of colors to match your city’s unique needs and aesthetic. The standard gray color includes anti-graffiti properties, allowing graffiti to be easily removed from the unit.

Discourages crime

The restroom was designed with Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design by using high traffic areas and visibility to deter illegal activities and generate high usage rates.

HOW DOES THE LOO HELP REDUCE INAPPROPRIATE USE, SUCH AS PROSTITUTION OR DRUGS USE?

Angled louvers on the top and bottom of the restroom provide limited lines of sight for public officials to detect inappropriate use. Installing the Loo in areas designed with Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles can enhance this feature’s effectiveness.

Anti-graffiti walls

Protected with an anti-graffiti powder-coat, the restroom can take a lot of abuse, and is easy to maintain with a cleaning hose and janitorial supplies stored in the mechanical closet.

HOW LONG CAN I EXPECT THE LOO TO LAST?

Constructed from highly durable stainless steel and designed to resist vandalism, the Loo is built to last for decades with proper maintenance.

Open safety-grating

These open grates provide excellent visibility, allowing for easy monitoring while maintaining user privacy.

HOW DOES THE LOO HELP REDUCE INAPPROPRIATE USE, SUCH AS PROSTITUTION OR DRUGS USE?

Angled louvers on the top and bottom of the restroom provide limited lines of sight for public officials to detect inappropriate use. Installing the Loo in areas designed with Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles can enhance this feature’s effectiveness.