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Where You Can & Can’t Flush Toilet Paper Around The World

April 1, 2020 13 Comments

Where You Can & Can't Flush Toilet Paper Around The World

Map created by mindofahitchhiker.com

The map above shows where in the world you can and can’t flush your toilet paper in a toilet. The data comes from Where do I put the paper? which describes itself as A handy guide to the world’s toilets.

If you live in the United States, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand or most countries in Northern Europe it may come as surprise that not everyone flushes their toilet paper away.

Although, it should be noted that the data is perhaps not 100% reliable as almost every single toilet you’re likely to encounter in say France or Spain will allow you to flush your toilet paper.

So if you’re not flushing it away, what are you doing with it? The answer is that it depends on where you are.

For example, some countries have relatively few flush toilets, so you’re going to be using something closer to an outhouse.

However, in other countries there may be a bin where you throw it out rather than flush it away. Here are the customs of a few countries as described in Where do I put the paper?.

Mexico – In common with most of south and central America, you’re going to be spending a lot of the time you’re going to be throwing the paper in bins in Mexico, so keep an eye out for them. Some higher class hotels have European-style flush toilets, but it should be fairly obvious which are which.

France – Contrary to popular belief, many places in France have toilets that you can actually safely use and you’ll be able to flush the paper. This isn’t the 1980s you know. Having said that, the French still like to squat over a hole in the ground or crap behind a bush (or car or tree or anything to hand), in these cases, act politely and bin your paper somewhere hygeinic. Of course, you still can’t drink the water and they eat snails you know.

Spain – is a bit of a mix. In most cities and beach resorts you can flush the paper. Although you might be asked specifically to use a bin, in which case, do. If you’re out in the countryside and stuck in a refugio bury it or burn it. If you’re using a camp site, follow the instructions (although if in doubt, flush).

China – There a wide variety of toilets in China, from European-style porcelain numbers to holes in the ground. Generally speaking, use the bin provided for the paper, but if one isn’t provided for holes-in-the-ground, just drop it in.

Brazil – In common with most Latin American countries, the sewage system in Brazil can’t cope with paper being flushed, so use the bin provided. If you’re in the jungle or up the Amazon, take your paper with you and dispose of it somewhere hygienic, or burn it on the way. Brazilian public toilets are mostly very good, although if you’re in Rio, avoid the portaloos in Lapa at all costs.

Russia – I have been informed that you are most likely to be flushing in Russia. However, there are public toilets, and some older facilities that don’t have the power to get rid of the paper where you’ll need to use the bin, but these will be clearly marked. Anyway, flush most of the time unless you’re specifically told otherwise. Oh, and Russia is one of those places where you’re better to have a supply of your own paper if you’re going to be using public facilities.

India – Indian toilets employ a ‘wash and go’ cleaning facility in the vast majority of cases. If you are going to use paper, put it in the bin provided. Oddly, the internet tells me that there are more mobile phones in india than toilets; I wonder what the ratio is in the UK.

North Korea – If you happen to find yourself in North Korea and can find a toilet that doesn’t have a microphone listening in to your every word (imagine having the job of listening in to that), you’ll probably be throwing the paper down the hole you use, but you can flush it in most decadent Western-style toilets. Who says Communism is a bad thing?

Saudi Arabia – As with most Arabic countries you’re going to be squatting and washing in Saudi Arabia, they don’t really do toilet paper. If you do use paper, throw it away, don’t drop it in the hole.

South Africa – Public toilets are few and far between in South Africa, but do exist. Ask at tourist information or restaurants. Toilets in cities tend to be Western-style and you should be able to flush. In townships and in the countryside, long-drops tend to be most common, bin or throw the paper in.

And if you’re looking to buy toilet paper you can still find it on Amazon here.

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Filed Under: World Maps

Comments

  1. Nigel A says

    April 2, 2020 at 11:18 am

    Seriously
    If you live or visit a country where you’re advised to Burn your own Shit! Well I’m never leaving Britain again 😉

    Reply
  2. Rob says

    April 3, 2020 at 12:10 pm

    I was gonna say not true but it April 1 I get it ok

    Reply
  3. M Parisinou says

    April 20, 2020 at 3:26 pm

    Cyprus is a “it depends”. Speaking as a native. In cities where a separate system is in place you can. Where they still use septic tanks, no.

    Reply
    • M Parisinou says

      April 20, 2020 at 3:28 pm

      Sorry, autocorrect did a number on me. Not separate system, sewerage!

      Reply
  4. Charles Moore says

    April 24, 2020 at 12:03 pm

    Indeed, a very interesting case… ”WHY IS TANZANIA THE ONLY EXCEPTION IN AFRICAN SUBCONTINENT”.

    Reply
  5. Francisco says

    April 26, 2020 at 4:32 pm

    This map’s very inaccurate. You can flush the toilet paper in the urban areas of Latin America, but no in the rural ones. Of course, if you go to a beach in the middle of nowhere, you have to be more cautious.

    Reply
    • Zachary Mays says

      July 3, 2020 at 10:16 pm

      Exactly what I was thinking. I’ve flushed toilet paper in a few of the “red” countries – most recently Medellin, CO. Though I have also encountered the “bin” approach, it’s not as cut and dry and this map would have you imagine.

      Reply
  6. Franck Arrii says

    June 16, 2020 at 11:35 am

    I am French and I can witness that we flush the toilet paper in France, everywhere. I am afraid your data is outdated. I still love your maps 😉

    Reply
  7. Attila says

    June 16, 2020 at 2:49 pm

    What is the source of information? ‘It depends’ category is not true for Hungary. Flushing e.g. sanitary pads is forbidden, but the paper can be flushed anywhere and everywhere.

    Reply
  8. Attila says

    July 15, 2020 at 2:56 pm

    I see Hungary is yellow (“it depends”). I’m a native Hungarian, been almost everywhere in this little country (I’m 42) and I’ve never seen a place where you can’t flush paper. Hungary is green for sure.

    Reply
  9. Strazdas says

    July 20, 2020 at 12:31 pm

    Flushing the paper is a bad idea anyway. It fucks the cleaning systems afterwards. Just have a waste bin people.

    Reply
  10. Jean-Baptiste says

    August 10, 2020 at 9:29 pm

    Who doesn’t flush the toilet paper in Argentina? I have been in Brazil, Bolivia and Uruguay and in all those the paper was flushed. 🤷‍♂️

    Reply
  11. Osiris Rocamora says

    August 10, 2020 at 9:39 pm

    Flushing the toilet paper, a first world exclusive criteria.

    Reply

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