5 Reasons To Thank Your Toilet

It's World Toilet Day and these toilets from around the world need your appreciation. Here's why:

1. They Keep You Healthy

Lacey West, Cambodia

Without toilets, people do their business outdoors and waste contaminates the environment–causing dysentery, hepatitis, and other illnesses to spread. Toilets keep you and your neighbors' poop (and therefore waste-borne disease) out of your drinking water and food.

2. They're Good For The Environment

Heifer Project Intl, Ecuador

Without good sanitation systems, untreated sewage and fecal sludge end up polluting rivers, lakes, and oceans and destroying ecosystems. Ever heard of an aquatic dead zone? The water is so full of waste that there is little to no oxygen in the water, therefore nothing can live in it.

3. They Keep You Safe

Lacey West, Nepal

Especially if you're a woman. Not only does close, safe access to toilets prevent the spread of disease, but it also prevents sexual harrassment and assault. Many cases of sexual abuse happen in areas of the world where people (mostly women) have to walk long distances, often in the dark, to the nearest toilet.

4. They Enable Education

Lacey West, South Sudan

Would you go to school all day if there weren't any toilets? Absence of toilets prevents many kids worldwide from going to school; especially girls when they hit puberty.

5. They're Good For The Economy

Lacey West, England

Yep, that's right. Toilets increase national GDP. They reduce health costs, allow kids to attend school, make sure our water stays clean and reduce pollution–all of those things generate wealth in the community!

Thank You, Toilets!

Lacey West, Peru

So yeah, thank a toilet today. Because they're literal life-savers.

Wondering How?

Heifer Project Intl, China

The best way to show your appreciation for your toilets is to help others get access to sanitation, too. The benefits of toilets listed above are based on studies gathered by the UN; these facts are why Heifer International works to provide safe sanitation as part of our community development work. Pictured above is one family's toilet in China; on the left is before they were part of a Heifer Project and on the right is after. Show your thanks by learning more and helping others gain access to toilets.