The Hong Kong Toilet Association (HKTA) marked World Toilet Day on November 19 by releasing its annual assessment of public restroom cleanliness, crowning an unlikely victor: the public facility in the famously bustling nightlife district of Lan Kwai Fong. Despite heavy usage by nighttime revelers, the unassuming location, situated near a 7-Eleven and adjacent to a garden, defied low expectations by achieving the city’s highest ranking for hygiene and maintenance, highlighting the critical role of dedicated maintenance staff.

Dedicated Staff Elevate Lan Kwai Fong Facility

The Lan Kwai Fong public toilet managed to outshine its counterparts, remaining clean and noticeably odor-free, a surprise given the chaotic environment of the surrounding bars and clubs. This exceptional standard is attributed primarily to the diligence of the custodial team, who counteract the usual wear-and-tear associated with high-volume public facilities. The building itself is equipped with modern features, including air conditioning, automatic sensor taps, soap dispensers, and a touchless flush system, operating 24 hours a day on weekends and public holidays to ensure continuous service during peak demand.

Henry Hung, President of the HKTA, praised the facility’s dedicated staff, noting that the “toilet host was cleaning all the time” and proactively checked the premises to address messes the moment they occurred.

While many patrons in Lan Kwai Fong likely utilize the washrooms within the private drinking establishments, the high rating of the public facility underscores the possibility of maintaining immaculate standards in high-traffic, late-night areas through aggressive, round-the-clock service.

Shifting Tides in Public Hygiene

The HKTA identified two other top-performing public restrooms. The Kam Tin Shi public toilet in Yuen Long secured second place, while the Catchick Street Garden public toilet in Kennedy Town ranked third. The ascent of the Catchick Street location is particularly noteworthy, given that it had been previously designated as Hong Kong’s worst public toilet just two years prior, illustrating that substantial improvements are achievable with focused maintenance efforts.

Conversely, the investigation identified the Kowloon City Road public toilet in To Kwa Wan as the worst performer this year. HKTA inspectors described the facility as notably filthy, plagued by foul odors, and suffering from wet floors—all indicators of inadequate servicing and maintenance.

Call for Broader Investment in Infrastructure

Beyond issuing the rankings, the Hong Kong Toilet Association used its platform to advocate for systemic change across the city’s public sanitary infrastructure. The organization urged governmental authorities to commit greater resources toward the refurbishment of aging public toilets and to establish robust maintenance protocols to elevate overall hygiene standards across Hong Kong.

The findings highlight a clear disparity: where investment in modern equipment and excellent janitorial oversight is prioritized, even the most intensely used public spaces can maintain superior standards of cleanliness. The success of the Lan Kwai Fong facility serves as an actionable model for enhancing public health infrastructure throughout the region.