Opinion: Public Restrooms Shouldn’t Be Starbucks’ Problem

As Starbucks shifts its policy to limit people from using its restrooms and facilities, Lloyd Alter argues that “what is truly outrageous is that citizens are forced to use private washrooms because there are almost no public ones in North America.” 

In many countries, the Starbucks problem wouldn’t exist — because there are ample public restrooms available for use. “According to the Public Toilet Index, New York City has four toilets per 100,000 people; in Iceland, there are 56.”

Authorities say providing public washrooms can't be done because it would cost “hundreds of millions” but never have a problem spending billions on the building of highways for the convenience of drivers who can drive from home to the mall where there are lots of washrooms.

Alter concludes that public restrooms should be a common good provided by the government, “This is why we pay taxes — for public services that meet human needs.” As Harvey Molotch wrote, “That there is so often no way to satisfy a necessary bodily function is symptom of the larger callousness — of ignoring basic human needs. The trouble is a dearth of civic responsibility.”