Quiz: Toilets can save lives – but do you know how?

Here in Australia, the National Public Toilet Map can direct you to more than 23,000 publicly available facilities, so you need never get caught short when you’re out and about. In our homes, we flush our toilets numerous times a day – a simple act that’s second nature.

Unfortunately, this is not the case everywhere in the world. In many countries, too many people still don’t have access to safe sanitation.

We have the opportunity to drastically change – and save – lives with solutions as fundamental as the supply of clean water and toilets.

Who gives a crap? Well a certain toilet paper company does, and if you do too, take our quick quiz and test your knowledge of WASH: safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene.

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1. 

   True or false? Globally, more people have a mobile phone than access to a safely managed toilet.

   1. False. More people have access to a toilet.

   2. True. More people have a phone.

2. Which modern invention has saved more lives?

   1. Satellites.

   2. Air conditioning.

   3. Toilets.

   4. Lifeboats.

3. Yes or no? Most wastewater is treated.

   1. Yes, most wastewater is treated.

   2. No, most wastewater is not treated.

4. Can wastewater help us manage viral outbreaks?

   1. No, wastewater has nothing to do with viral outbreaks.

   2. Yes, wastewater can give us vital information.

5. 

   Who does the water, sanitation and hygiene crisis affect more: men or women?

   1. Women.

   2. Men.

   3. It affects both equally.

6. In 2022 how many people lacked safe drinking water?

   1. 1.1 million.

   2. 5.5 million.

   3. 2.2 billion.

7. 

   True or false: it’s not viable for a business to donate half its profits?

   1. True, it’s not viable for a business to donate that much.

   2. False, some businesses do this.

Solutions

1:B - Shockingly, this is true. At the end of 2021, 5.3 billion people were subscribed to mobile services, whereas in 2022, more than 3.4 billion people still lacked safely managed sanitation services (meaning only about 4.6 billion did have access to safe toilets). It’s time to change this statistic and ensure safe sanitation for all., 2:C - The humble toilet. The toilet is estimated to have saved as many lives as vaccinations, making it one of the most important modern inventions. Next time we flush, maybe we shouldn’t take that convenience for granted., 3:B - Unfortunately not. Globally, about 80% of wastewater is released into the environment untreated. You may want to consider that before your next swim in a lake., 4:B - It certainly can! During the height of the pandemic, Australia’s clever scientists were able to test wastewater to identify Covid-19 outbreaks in a timely manner, which informed community advice, including lockdowns., 5:A - WASH (safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene) issues disproportionately affect women and girls. Women and girls are likely to be responsible for collecting water, and as recently as 2016 collectively spent an estimated 200m hours a day doing so., 6:C - In 2022, a massive 2.2 billion people did not have access to safe drinking water. Beyond the crucial health benefits, improved water has the knock-on effects of reducing poverty and boosting countries’ economies., 7:B - False! It is absolutely possible. Who Gives A Crap donates 50% of its profits to impact partners to ensure more people have access to clean water and a toilet, and has donated more than $13m so far. The other 50% goes towards expanding the business so that more good can be done to support communities.

Scores

1. 7 and above.

   Good on you! You’re in the know about global WASH shortfalls and how important it is to improve the supply of clean water and sanitation around the world. Keep fighting the good fight alongside purposeful Australian companies such as Who Gives A Crap.

2. 6 and above.

   Good on you! You’re in the know about global WASH shortfalls and how important it is to improve the supply of clean water and sanitation around the world. Keep fighting the good fight alongside purposeful Australian companies such as Who Gives A Crap.

3. 5 and above.

   Good on you! You’re in the know about global WASH shortfalls and how important it is to improve the supply of clean water and sanitation around the world. Keep fighting the good fight alongside purposeful Australian companies such as Who Gives A Crap.

4. 4 and above.

   A solid effort on the road to thorough toilet knowledge. Keep up the good work and find out what Who Gives A Crap is doing to improve the WASH crisis.

5. 3 and above.

   A solid effort on the road to thorough toilet knowledge. Keep up the good work and find out what Who Gives A Crap is doing to improve the WASH crisis.

6. 2 and above.

   You have a way to go before you achieve WASH awareness. Now you know the importance of good sanitation globally, find out more about what can be done.

7. 0 and above.

   You have a way to go before you achieve WASH awareness. Now you know the importance of good sanitation globally, find out more about what can be done.

8. 1 and above.

   You have a way to go before you achieve WASH awareness. Now you know the importance of good sanitation globally, find out more about what can be done.

Who Gives A Crap donates 50% of its profits to clean water and sanitation nonprofit organisations. Shop its 100% recycled or bamboo toilet paper.

_^Sources:

• _{^{Question 1: At the end of 2021, 5.3 billion people were subscribed to mobile services, whereas in 2022, more than 3.4 billion people still lacked safely managed sanitation services (meaning only about 4.6 billion did have access to safe toilets).}}

• _{^{Question 2: The toilet is estimated to have saved as many lives as vaccines.}}

• _{^{Question 3: Globally, about 80% of wastewater is released into the environment untreated.}}

• _{^{Question 5: Women and girls are likely to be responsible for collecting water, and as recently as 2016 collectively spent an estimated 200 million hours a day doing so.}}

• _{^{Question 6: In 2022, a massive 2.2 billion people did not have access to safe drinking water. Beyond the crucial health benefits, improved water has the knock-on effects of reducing poverty and boosting countries’ economies.}}