A new policy by Starbucks limiting bathroom access to paying customers only has left many without a place to go. The move is part of an effort to improve store atmospheres, but it highlights the country’s shortage of public bathrooms.
The US has fewer public toilets than other developed countries. According to a 2021 study, there are eight public toilets per 100,000 people in the US, compared to 56 in Iceland and 46 in Switzerland. Cities like New York and Los Angeles have even fewer options.
In the past, pay-to-use toilets were common in both public and private settings. However, activists fought for better equity and accessibility. California banned pay toilets in the 1970s, but many cities failed to build public facilities.
Today, people are forced to seek bathrooms in businesses they believe will allow them access. This can be humiliating and inequitable, with those who are homeless or from lower-income backgrounds facing significant barriers.
Starbucks’ open-door policy, introduced in 2018 after a national scandal, was a response to this issue. However, the new policy has reversed that decision. The company’s move could be an opportunity for cities to invest in public bathrooms and improve accessibility.
Some cities, like Portland, Oregon, have already taken steps to build more public toilets. With 17 per 100,000 residents, they set a high standard. More cities should follow suit to address the country’s public bathroom shortage.
Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/america-bathroom-problem-starbucks-policy-211130853.html