Despite Significant Earnings, Coffee Shop Toilets Rank Lowest in Hygiene Study
SINGAPORE – A recent study by Singapore Management University (SMU) has revealed that coffee shop restrooms are the dirtiest in the city-state, sparking frustration among Singaporeans. On Reddit, users expressed their disappointment, questioning how these establishments, which earn substantial revenue from drink sales, still fail to maintain clean facilities.
The study, published in late December, surveyed public toilet cleanliness across various venues in Singapore. It found that nearly half of respondents would be willing to pay extra for clean and hygienic public toilets. A report by The Straits Times on February 3 revealed that, out of the 2,600 toilets evaluated, coffee shop restrooms scored the lowest at just 46.26 out of 100. In comparison, toilets in hawker centres, MRT stations, and shopping malls scored 66.28, 75.97, and 77.01, respectively.
Despite fines being imposed for cleanliness violations, the SMU study found no significant improvement over the years. The score for coffee shop restrooms has remained consistently low from 2016 through to 2024. Participants in the study noted that the condition of coffee shop toilets had worsened compared to previous years.
A particularly concerning observation was the correlation between toilet cleanliness and proximity to cooking areas, especially in hawker centres and coffee shops. Restrooms located near kitchens were often found to be dirtier, raising further concerns about hygiene practices in these establishments.
