Tork unveils global insights on public restroom hygiene, highlighting barriers and solutions

Tork, a brand under Essity and a global leader in professional hygiene, has released findings from its 2024 Insights Survey, which highlights the public restroom experience. This research aligns with the company’s mission to promote awareness about inclusive hygiene in public restrooms and to help businesses understand the importance of offering more inclusive solutions. The survey gathered responses from over 6,000 restroom users and 900 businesses across five countries. Additionally, Tork hosted a discussion in the United States with senior leaders from public and private sectors to review the findings and explore ways to improve public restroom accessibility.

The research delves into how both users and businesses perceive public restrooms, examining the obstacles they face when trying to maintain hygiene in these spaces. Challenges identified range from difficulties accessing soap and hand towel dispensers to issues with loud noises, lack of cleanliness, or privacy. These barriers can affect people with physical or cognitive limitations, those facing age-related challenges, or individuals dealing with temporary or permanent changes in their circumstances.

The data revealed that discomfort in using public restrooms negatively impacts many individuals, limiting their participation in everyday activities such as dining out, attending social gatherings, or even remaining at their jobs.

Key findings from the research include:

• Anxiety over public restrooms: 44% of respondents reported feeling anxious when using restrooms outside their home.
• Feeling unsafe without handwashing: 73% of participants indicated they feel unsafe if they cannot wash their hands in a public restroom.
• Workplace impact: 17% of respondents stated they had quit a job due to inadequate restroom facilities.
• Limiting food and drink: 38% of people said they avoid eating or drinking to limit their need to use public restrooms. This percentage rises among parents with children and those using walking aids, with nearly half of parents who need to bring a baby carrier or child avoiding restrooms, and 51% of those using walking aids doing the same.
• Planning around restroom access: 26% of respondents avoided social events due to concerns over public restroom access, and this figure increased to 39% among those with a fear of viruses or bacteria. Additionally, 44% of all respondents plan their travel routes based on restroom availability.

“Access to public restrooms is not just about convenience; it’s a public health issue”, said Amie Kromis, DEI director at Essity. “Restrooms are some of the busiest spaces in any facility, yet they often don’t meet the evolving needs of the population. This impacts individuals’ ability to work, attend social events, dine at restaurants, or even travel comfortably. Offering better hygiene in public restrooms benefits both businesses and the people they serve”.

In June, Tork, in collaboration with the Global Handwashing Partnership, hosted an inclusive hygiene roundtable in Washington, D.C. Experts from various sectors, including government, healthcare, and academia, gathered to discuss the data and explore solutions to the barriers hindering public restroom hygiene.

“The passion for improving access to public restrooms was truly inspiring”, said Amy Bellcourt, Essity’s VP of Communications and moderator of the roundtable. “Each participant brought a unique perspective, and together we realized that it’s the design of the environment — not the individual — that creates these barriers. With the insights gained from this event, we now have a stronger foundation of data, experiences, and expert collaboration to drive meaningful change”.