🚻 Public urinals in the middle of the street? In cities like Amsterdam, men are relieving themselves in open-air toilets that double as flower beds — and yes, the urine is turned into fertilizer 🌷😳 Locals say it solves a messy problem, but critics call it unfair, uncomfortable, and just plain awkward. See what they actually look like in the article below 👇
We recently discovered a curious feature of public spaces in the Netherlands—some very unusual outdoor toilets. What do you think about this idea?
In cities like Amsterdam, you can spot strange-looking structures on the streets that might confuse visitors who don’t know what they are. It turns out, these are open-air urinals designed for men to use right there in public.
There are different types of these street toilets in the Netherlands. The older versions offered more privacy and looked a bit like small changing rooms. They were connected to the sewer system and gave men a somewhat private way to relieve themselves outdoors.
Newer models are far more open and offer very little privacy. They’re basically upright stalls with small partitions and holes meant for urination. Anyone walking by can easily see the person using it. Many Europeans—and especially tourists—might find this strange or even uncomfortable.
More recently, even more modern versions have appeared. These ones are designed to blend in and look like flower beds. But around the sides, they have small openings and partitions. The urine collected from these toilets is actually turned into phosphates, which are used as fertilizer for plants. Because of this system, there’s no strong smell.
The idea came from local governments as a way to deal with a big problem—people urinating in public spaces like alleyways, building walls, and along canals. After these urinals were installed, authorities noticed a big drop in urine-related messes in busy areas—some places saw the problem cut in half.
Fun fact! In 2018, similar urinals were added to public spaces in Paris. But there, residents protested and called for their removal, saying they were an eyesore.
Still, not everyone in the Netherlands is happy about them either. Many people say they don’t like seeing men standing with their backs turned, knowing exactly what they’re doing. The sounds, and sometimes lingering smells, also make some people uncomfortable. Plus, accidents happen—sometimes people miss, and the ground gets dirty.
Another major complaint is that these urinals are only made for men. There’s nothing similar for women, which many view as unfair. After all, both men and women have the same basic needs.
