Get ready to embark on the most important road trip of the summer! The American Restroom Association is thrilled to announce The Great American Toilet Tour: A Public Restroom Awareness Road Trip, hitting the highways from July 1st to July 30th, 2025!

That’s right, folks! We’re not just talking about pit stops – we’re diving deep into the world of public restrooms, shining a spotlight on their vital role in our communities, and championing the cause for better facilities nationwide.

Why this incredible journey? Because everyone, everywhere, deserves access to clean, safe, and well-maintained public restrooms. It’s a matter of public health, accessibility, and basic human dignity! And who better to lead the charge than your passionate friends at the American Restroom Association?

Our Epic Route (Continental USA): 

• We’re kicking off on the West Coast
• Trekking through the diverse landscapes of Nevada
• Then the Lone Star State of Texas
• On to the Sunny shores of Florida
• Up through the South
• To the Great Lakes state of Michigan
• And over to the heartland of Ohio
• Our grand finale is the vibrant city of Portland, Oregon!

Reno, Mather Point, Dallas, Montgomery, Atlanta, Jacksonville, Miami, The Florida Keys, Memphis, Akron, Ann Arbor, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Santa Fe, Los Angeles, Portland. Schedule your community stop today!

Along the way, we’ll be showcasing the incredible variety (and sometimes, the not-so-incredible reality) of public restrooms across our nation.

More Than Just Sightseeing! This isn’t just about the miles; it’s about making a real difference! Our team will be actively engaging with city officials and local businesses in each stop. We’ll be sharing best practices, discussing community needs, and highlighting successful restroom initiatives – all while capturing these crucial conversations for you on our social media channels!

Get Ready for Your Close-Up! Follow us daily on YouTube and all our social media platforms as we bring you:

Restroom Spotlights: Discovering the good, the bad, and the surprisingly innovative public restrooms along our route!

Behind-the-Scenes Action: Experience the highs and lows of a cross-country awareness campaign!

Exclusive Interviews: Hear directly from city leaders, business owners, and everyday folks about their experiences with public restrooms.

Interactive Fun: Get involved with polls, Q&As, and opportunities to share your own public restroom stories!

How YOU Can Be a Part of the Movement!

Donors, we can’t do this alone! To make The Great American Toilet Tour a resounding success, we’re reaching out for your support. If you can contribute through vehicle or lodging loans, or financial donations, every little bit helps fuel our mission!

Calling All Changemakers! If you’re a city official or business owner along our route, we’d love to connect! Let’s collaborate and showcase your commitment to public restroom excellence.

Join the Conversation! Use the hashtag #AmericanToiletTour to share your thoughts, experiences, and photos of public restrooms in your community. Let’s get the nation talking about this essential topic!

The Impact: The Great American Toilet Tour isn’t just a month-long adventure; it’s an investment in a future where everyone has access to clean and dignified public restrooms. By raising awareness and garnering support, we’re directly contributing to the American Restroom Association’s ongoing mission to improve these vital community spaces.

So, are you ready to hit the road with us (virtually, of course!)? Follow our journey, engage with our content, and help us make The Great American Toilet Tour a monumental success! Let’s make a splash for better public restrooms, one stop at a time!

The American Restroom Association (ARA) ”Great American Toilet Tour: A Public Restroom Road Trip” is a nationwide initiative, focusing on awareness and community, and set to hit the highways from July 1st to July 31st, 2025!

Hitting the road July 1, 2025!

ARA Program Manager, Candace Blue, will embark on a cross-country road trip, with the ARA’s beloved canine mascot and Kid’s Education Ambassador, “Snoopy Poopy.” Their adventure aims to celebrate communities across America, raise awareness, educate kids and teens, and showcase leaders and innovators in restroom design.

The ARA prides itself on being a group of “regular people who care about public restroom infrastructure in the USA.” Our multi-generational group includes individuals from all walks of life—from business owners and concerned grandmoms to social workers, academics, historians, engineers, architects, health experts, urban planners, students, and moms like Candace. We are united by our care for human dignity, safety, privacy, and innovative design to benefit public health. The ARA specifically advocates for single occupancy all gender  (SOAG) restrooms as a key part of this vision.

This groundbreaking tour will:

• Showcase Successful Restroom Projects: Highlighting innovative and well-maintained public restrooms across the USA.
• Illustrate Realities of Access: Bringing awareness to the challenges individuals face regarding restroom access, especially for travelers and those with medical needs.

The “Great American Toilet Tour” will traverse the Continental USA, stopping in states including Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Tennessee, and Texas. Candace Blue will post stop highlights and interviews with special guests on the American Restroom Association’s social media channels. Snoopy Poopy will help communicate best practices for safety, conduct, and cleanliness to children and families.

Special guests and fun stops celebrating community all along the way!

The American Restroom Association invites organizations and communities to join this crucial movement:

• Sponsor the Tour: Gain national visibility and align your brand with a vital public health and community-building cause.
• Be a Stop: Attract visitors and host events that highlight restroom excellence in your town. Celebrate your maintenance staff! City officials and business owners along the route are strongly encouraged to collaborate. 

“Good public restroom infrastructure is a sign of a well-functioning society in which people can live their lives without anxiety or what we at the ARA call ‘restroom duress,’” states Candace Bue, ARA Program Manager. “As we say at the ARA, community always begins with a bathroom.”

Restrooms demand coatings and adhesives that resist moisture, microbes, and emissions. BioBond’s PFAS free, essentially no VOCs solutions deliver safer air and long-lasting protection.

Restrooms: More Than Just High-Traffic Spaces

Restrooms are one of the most scrutinized areas of any facility. Visitors and staff alike notice when a restroom feels damp, smells musty, or shows peeling paint and discolored surfaces.

Beyond perception, these spaces present one of the harshest tests for building materials: moisture, humidity, cleaning agents, constant abrasion, and microbial exposure.

A failure in restroom coatings or adhesives doesn’t just create cosmetic issues—it increases contamination risks, drives up maintenance costs, and directly impacts occupant health. For these reasons, facility managers are rethinking what they apply on walls, partitions, counters, and fixtures.

Air Quality Risks: VOCs in Confined Environments

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes that indoor VOC concentrations are

often 2–10 times higher indoors than outdoors—with adhesives, paints, and coatings among the leading sources. Restrooms are especially vulnerable: they are smaller, more enclosed, and frequently ventilated only intermittently.

The CDC has also highlighted occupational risks associated with VOC exposure, documenting how indoor air can accumulate chemical compounds that irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, trigger headaches, and in long-term scenarios, contribute to more serious health concerns.

BioBond coatings are designed with essentially no VOCs, meaning they do not contribute

significantly to this invisible pollution burden. This makes them safer during installation, safer during curing, and safer in long-term occupancy—an important advantage for facilities that prioritize indoor air quality.

Microplastics and Particle Shedding: A New Frontier in Hygiene

While VOCs are a well-established issue, microplastics are emerging as the next indoor

contaminant of concern. Researchers supported by CDC frameworks are studying how microand nanoplastics, often generated by the breakdown of plastics in coatings, textiles, and furnishings, enter indoor air and can be inhaled. These tiny particles are capable of traveling deep into the respiratory system, where they may accumulate and carry chemical additives into sensitive tissues.

Restrooms are high-risk spaces for this type of contamination. Cleaning abrasion, surface wear, and moisture-induced breakdown can accelerate microplastic shedding from conventional petroleum-based coatings. BioBond products address this directly: our coatings are engineered with no added microplastics and are formulated to resist surface breakdown, reducing particle shedding into the air or onto surfaces where they can be re-suspended.

PFAS Free: Eliminating a Hidden Hazard

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have long been used in industrial coatings for their water-repellent properties, but their persistence in the environment has earned them the name “forever chemicals.” Exposure has been linked to immune, liver, and developmental impacts, and many facilities are moving aggressively to eliminate PFAS from their supply chains. BioBond coatings are PFAS free, ensuring facility managers don’t inherit this hidden risk. For restrooms—where surfaces are repeatedly exposed to water, cleaners, and occupant use—the elimination of PFAS provides both a health benefit and peace of mind that the materials in use align with growing regulatory and public health guidance.

Why Facility Managers Benefit Directly

Every restroom renovation or upgrade represents not just an upfront cost but an ongoingmaintenance cycle. Conventional coatings may require touch-ups, reapplications, orreplacements within a few years due to peeling, microbial staining, or odor retention. Adhesives may weaken with constant moisture exposure, forcing repairs to partitions, countertops, or flooring junctions.

By contrast, BioBond products extend the maintenance cycle through:

• Durable adhesion and surface resilience, even under harsh chemical cleaners.
• Moisture and microbial resistance, slowing the spread of mold and surface deterioration.
• Essentially no VOCs and PFAS free design, reducing exposure risks for both maintenance staff and daily occupants.
• No microplastic shedding, protecting indoor environments from this rising contaminant.
• Supplements cleaning as covers every square inch of the floors

The result is fewer service calls, less downtime, and longer intervals between major renovations—translating into measurable cost savings for facility operators.

Restrooms as a Benchmark for Safer Buildings

If a coating or adhesive can thrive in a restroom, it can thrive almost anywhere. Restrooms combine moisture, heat, cleaning abrasion, microbial load, and heavy use into one concentrated environment. By proving durable in restrooms, BioBond products validate their performance in hallways, patient rooms, food-service areas, and beyond.

For architects, specifiers, and facility managers seeking to balance cost, durability, and health considerations, BioBond provides a compelling solution: plant-based protective coatings and adhesives that are PFAS free, emit essentially no VOCs, and offer resistance to microbial and particle contamination.

The Bottom Line

Restrooms are not just functional necessities—they are frontline spaces where indoor air quality, hygiene, and material durability converge. BioBond’s plant-based solutions address all three: durable performance, reduced maintenance costs, and safer environments for staff and visitors.

By choosing products that are PFAS free and contain essentially no VOCs, facility leaders can improve occupant well-being, strengthen compliance with health-driven standards, and extend the life of their building assets.

When it comes to restrooms, BioBond doesn’t just coat surfaces—it protects people.

What are the Next Steps?

Restrooms are one of the toughest environments in any facility—and also one of the most visible to staff, patients, residents, and visitors. Choosing coatings and adhesives that resist moisture, cleaning agents, and microbial growth while protecting indoor air quality is critical to long-term performance.

Explore how plant-based protective coating technology can transform your restrooms and facility operations. Contact BioBond’s team for a comprehensive materials consultation tailored to your specific restroom and facility requirements.

• Protective Coatings: CoatingsInfo@biobondadhesives.com
• General Inquiries: info@biobondadhesives.com

Three principles can shape a positive restroom strategy.

Dotti Haynes, Essity 11/25/2025

As convenience stores continue to evolve into destinations for high-quality food and beverages, operators are investing heavily in kitchen upgrades, digital ordering and premium coffee programs. Yet, the path to customer loyalty may be hiding in plain sight: the public restroom.

Recent research reveals that the state of public restrooms can make or break visitors’ willingness to return, with 52% of people saying they’ve changed their behavior after a poor restroom experience — including reducing food and beverage purchases, limiting visits or avoiding a facility altogether. And data shows that convenience stores top the list as the location where restroom expectations are “rarely met,” with 30% of respondents ranking them as the worst offenders, outpacing shopping malls (25%), sports stadiums (24%) and even fast food restaurants (19%).

Ultimately, when a restroom falls short of expectations — whether due to cleanliness, privacy or accessibility — patrons don’t just notice, they act. For operators, this means the restroom is no longer an afterthought. It’s a frontline differentiator that can drive repeat visits, positive reviews and even social media buzz.

Going Beyond Basic Restroom Cleanliness

Going beyond basic cleanliness sends a message to customers. Dr. Steven Soifer of the American Restroom Association said, “The quality of your restroom facilities can make the difference between someone feeling welcomed and valued, resulting in a return visit, or feeling overlooked.”

This feeling of being overlooked when using a business’ restroom can manifest in different ways. Someone with sensory sensitivities may be overwhelmed by loud hand dryers or harsh lighting. An older adult or caregiver may struggle with stalls that lack space or necessary fixtures.

In fact, 54% of venue visitors contend with some form of physical or cognitive challenge that impacts their restroom experience. And when design or maintenance falls short, customers respond — often by taking their business elsewhere.

Three Principles for a Better Restroom & Better Business

The path to inclusive hygiene — this idea of enabling a restroom environment that considers the full range of individual abilities and circumstances — doesn’t require a full renovation or major overhaul. By empowering c-store managers and their teams to recognize and address possible restroom barriers, leaders can implement smart, effective solutions, often with simple changes that yield big results.

Here are three practical principles to guide your restroom strategy, as outlined in the “Inclusive Hygiene Playbook” recently released by Tork

• Prioritize Cleanliness and Safety: Overflowing trash, damp fixtures and exposed paper products are immediate red flags for customers. Operators can minimize contamination risks with no-touch dispensers, enclosed toilet paper systems and high-capacity bins to prevent “overflow moments” during peak times. Additionally, visible cleaning protocols and frequent restocking not only improve perceptions, but also instill confidence in your establishment’s commitment to hygiene.
• Design for Comfort and Privacy: The ideal restroom is not just clean, but also acts as a quick refuge from the outside world. Consider features such as floor-to-ceiling stalls, privacy gap covers, calming music to mask unwanted noises, and warm lighting. Hooks for bags and coats, changing tables in all restrooms, and large stalls for families or those with mobility aids can transform a stressful environment into a welcoming one. Even small changes, like providing soft paper towels or a pleasant fragrance, can make a lasting impression.
• Show That You Care: Generic signage and hidden cleaning efforts often go unnoticed. Instead, communicate your commitment to inclusive hygiene with visible “hygiene best practices” signs, cleaning logs and staff spotlights. Allow customers to share feedback through QR codes, and highlight sustainability efforts or accessibility features. When patrons feel cared for, they’re more likely to reciprocate with positive behavior — and loyalty.

Restrooms: The Secret Ingredient in Customer Loyalty

When convenience stores deliver clean, comfortable and accessible restrooms, they show customers that every visit matters, whether someone is stopping by for their morning coffee, grabbing lunch on the go or choosing a family-friendly dinner option instead of the usual fast food spot down the street.

In practice, this means becoming the destination of choice: the place where a busy parent feels confident making a pit stop with their kids, where road-trippers plan their route to include your store, and where local workers opt for your grab-and-go meals because they know the entire experience will be positive. It’s about building trust and encouraging those all-important repeat visits that drive foodservice sales and brand loyalty in today’s hyper-competitive market.

In the race for loyalty and foodservice dollars, it might be one of the more important tools at your disposal.

In her role at Essity, a multibillion-dollar global professional hygiene company that is leading the industry with the Tork brand, Dotti Haynes is responsible for developing, driving and executing the Hospitality, Restaurant and Catering (HoReCa) segment marketing strategy within the North American, European and MEIA (Middle East, India and Africa) markets. She has more than 20 years of experience applying creative thinking to develop innovative strategic marketing solutions for B2B and B2C businesses.

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the views of Convenience Store News.

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What’s next for public restrooms in a coronavirus world?

Early on in the pandemic, news outlets were flush with stories about the concerns surrounding public restrooms. People were worried that IF they went out, they’d have no place to go. Even in the best of recent times, public restrooms in the US were dismal or just plain non-existent. ARA President and Co-founder, Steve Soifer, calls them “the laughingstock of the developed world.” Covid-19 concerns exacerbated an already pretty bad situation. When the country turned to our service and delivery sector like never before, we greeted them with “restroom closed” signs. Parks – places to walk or run off our pandemic anxiety – turned nasty as visitors took to using the bushes because restrooms were off limits.

With the continued disappearance of purely public facilities, the US has relied on what we call a “quasi-public” infrastructure. “Quasi” in that government and municipalities have abdicated shifted responsibility for restrooms by relying on private enterprise (malls, shopping centers, restaurants) to provide facilities. Unfortunately, that puts the policing management of these facilities within the realm of private providers. And, the intractable problem of homelessness also means an intractable problem of where these fellow humans should relieve themselves.

Back to Covid-19: while some analyses call public restrooms a “moderate” risk, they are a risk. Current wisdom about the method of spread of coronavirus has highlighted the importance of adequate ventilation and limiting exposure to common areas. We recommend that restroom users sanitize or wash their hand prior to or on entering the restroom as a first step to limiting the spread in a shared space. Secondly, wear a mask (or even better, do the “Fauci-double.”)  Limit your time in the restroom when possible. And of course, wash you hands on exiting.  You can find our full set of recommendations here.

Now that the stakes have gotten higher for adequate facilities, we’ll keep fighting emphasizing the need for safe, available, well-designed public restrooms. Keep up with us by clicking here to subscribe to our monthly email newsletter.

Contact

American Restroom Association, Inc.
P.O. Box 21237
Catonsville, MD 21228