LettersHong Kong’s dirty public toilets can be cleaned up through education, rather than using money alone
- Improved toilet facilities won’t go far if they are poorly maintained and users are not educated on treating public property well
The popular impression of government-run public toilets being stinky and clogged is justified in Hong Kong. Most people are not willing to use these toilets. Instead, they go to the toilets in shopping malls.
Our public toilets are so filthy not just because they are not cleaned well, but also because of how people use them. The government should focus on building a culture of treating public property well through education and media promotion.
Besides, I agree with the writer that the Hong Kong government should learn from the cleanliness of Singapore. Singapore has a voluntary rating system in place to grade the cleanliness of public restrooms. If Hong Kong had such a scheme, it would force authorities to improve toilets with low ratings. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department could also conduct regular checks of those toilets.
Sheryl Cheung Sin-yan, Kwai Chung