Public Restrooms and COVID-19: Guidelines for Reopening

By Phlush | June 30, 2020

June 29, 2020 The re-opening of the economy during the continuing COVID-19 pandemic depends on the successful re-opening of toilet facilities. Retail businesses, manufacturing firms, trade workshops, food-processing units, schools and universities, and government institutions must protect people from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. And they are in a position to support and encourage social distancing, handwashing,…

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New documentary breaks taboos to explore America’s wastewater infrastructure

By Phlush | November 13, 2017
new-documentary-breaks-taboos

Documentary filmmaker Karina Mangu-Ward is going to make a splash with FLUSH, which premieres worldwide on November 15th, 2017.  Mangu-Ward’s images are captivating, the editing is excellent, and the film features some of North America’s most important sanitation heroes. It will change the way you think about poop. We here at the other PHLUSH (Public Hygiene Lets Us…

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Global Homeless Day: Toilet Solutions from France for the USA

By Phlush | May 5, 2015

“The restroom thus becomes a tool for figuring out just how a society functions – what it values, how it separates people from one another, and the kinds of trade-offs that come to be made,” says sociologist Harvey Moltoch. While we at PHLUSH believe in safe and accessible toilets for all people (families, children, those…

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Let’s Legalize Composting & UD toilets in US

By Phlush | August 3, 2014
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Our friends at Recode have drafted model code for composting toilets with urine diversion (UD) and IAMPO is preparing to vote on it. This Portland-based group of scientists and policy advocates have made spectacular progress. Now Recode is calling on us to help make history. Please consider a tax-deductible donation to enable Recode’s Director to travel to California to address IAMPO officials. Details are in…

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Stories from the Street: PSU team explores toiletlessness

By Phlush | July 1, 2013

July 1, 2013 Students from Portland State University’s Nohad A. Toulan School of Urban Affairs and Planning, have recently completed a project on the consequences of toiletlessness. After spending the winter academic term on background and planning, the Right to Relief team spent the spring term exploring the issues in collaboration with PHLUSH.  They hit…

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Portland Takes Lead in Sound Advice for Emergency Sanitation

By Carol McCreary | May 2, 2012

Lately, we’ve been checking out what other West Coast cities at risk of earthquake-induced water and sewer system failure and non-functioning toilets are recommending to residents. Some cities propose that residents bag, bleach, throw away, or bury human waste in the event of an emergency.  Such proposals could have dangerous consequences.  Portland, however, has proposed…

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Restroom design work wins PHLUSH invitation to prestigious international event.

By Phlush | September 16, 2009

Public Hygiene Lets Us Stay Human, or PHLUSH, has been invited to make two presentations to the prestigious World Toilet Summit in Singapore in December 2009. Old Town Chinatown?s public restroom advocates are busy preparing 20-minute presentations entitled Public Restroom Design for 21st Century US Cities: The PHLUSH Principles and Innovations in Sustainable Design: Case…

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New Documentary "People Can't Wait" features PHLUSH

By Phlush | March 24, 2009

  A recent documentary on the innovative new Portland Loo features an interview with PHLUSH Co-Founder Tom Carrollo.  “People Can’t Wait” will be screened on  Wed, April 8 at 7pm the Hollywood Theatre. Tickets will be on sale at the door Old Town Chinatown-based filmmaker Travis Shields of ShieldsFilms produced the short as part of the…

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