Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.
Chapter 1: What is the war on wee and why is it a problem?
What is the war on wee? Thanks for asking. Public urination has long been a nuisance in the United Kingdom, as it is in many other countries. But it's really gotten worse in the last few years, and that's down to the COVID-19 crisis in particular. British authorities decided to close public toilets for hygiene reasons.
and that's actually exacerbated a longer term trend, which has seen around 50% of public toilets closed in the last decade, according to the managing director of the British Toilet Association, as quoted by The Guardian. We might well chuckle thinking back to occasions on which we've had to run around looking for somewhere to wee,
But when you think about how this would affect the elderly or disabled, you realize it's no laughing matter. Not to mention the reality that the men, and to a lesser extent women, who relieve themselves in public could get a fine if caught. And public toileting is actually a health problem in itself.
Chapter 2: How has COVID-19 impacted public toilet availability?
After all, urine can erode buildings and create pollution. It's prompted cities around the world to clamp down in a phenomenon media outlets have playfully labelled the War on We. What are authorities doing to deter people? A wide range of creative solutions have been seen, sometimes using sophisticated technology. Some focus on post-we cleaning up.
For example, in the city of Boston in the United States, subway elevators were fitted with sensors which alert cleaning teams to the presence of urine. But of course, that's not really a preventative measure. Certain areas in London have taken a more proactive approach. Soho is known for its vibrant nightlife, and that means public toileting is a common problem.
But in December 2022, the council covered certain walls with hydrophobic anti-pee paint, which repels liquids. As soon as someone pees on it, the paint splashes it right back at them. In the Netherlands and Belgium, authorities have implemented an environmentally friendly solution called Green Pea.
They're urinal planters, which have been deployed in outdoor locations across a number of cities, large and small. When used, urine is absorbed by hemp, and it's estimated a single urinal can cope with up to 300 toilet visits. The container is then taken for composting, and can be used as fertilizer in local parks. A similar concept is used in Paris.
What about women?
The city of Lyon in France trialled sit-down composting urinals last year. They offer a solution for women who need to wee when out and about, while also saving water compared to flushing toilets. In less than three months, 35,000 litres of urine were collected to be used as fertiliser. There you have it.
Now you know what the war on we is. In under three minutes, we answer your questions and help you understand the true meaning behind the trends, concepts and acronyms that are making headlines. Listen along and you will really know for sure.
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