Outdoor Toilet Interior

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This is the interior of the most recent model of the sanisette outdoor toilet, as seen through the open door of the device.

You can see that a conventional-looking toilet is the main fixture in the sanisette, and there is a sink, with plenty of room. The panel behind the seat opens during the cleaning cycle, and the seat is scrubbed, washed, and disinfected, along with the floor.

In an alcove is a lavatory that automatically dispenses soap and water when you put your hands into it; after fifteen seconds or so, the water and soap are turned off and replaced by a hot-air dryer that dries your hands. The water from the sink is clean enough for washing hands, but it is not drinkable (in this respect it is similar to the lavatories in trains and aircraft).

Off to the left in this photo, but only partially visible is a toilet-paper dispenser, next to the toilet. You can throw the paper directly into the toilet after use, as it is fully biodegradable (it is a very thin tissue paper). Over the sink, behind a small door in the wall of the sanisette, is a sanitary wastebasket.

There is a good-sized mirror to the right of the sink, provided for your convenience.

The door (not visible here) slides open when you enter, and then automatically closes and locks when you are inside. There is a button on the inside (but not the outside) that you can press to open the door again when you are finished, along with an emergency handle. The door will open on its own after about twenty minutes (the time limit for use of the sanisette), so beware!

Once you leave the sanisette, the door will close and the cleaning cycle will start. After a minute or so, it is ready for the next customer.

Photographed on June 26, 2009.