🪰ZeroFlush Fly Target Waterless Urinals for Cleaner Public Toilets
Because the floor didn’t volunteer.
The quick takeaway
ZeroFlush nudges better aim in public toilets. It encourages users to step closer. It also adds a Fly target on the BioPur top.
Less near-miss splash. Drier floors. Happier staff.
😬 The bit nobody wants to talk about
Public toilets can be rough. Not “end of the world” rough. Just… constantly annoying.
There’s always that damp patch. You know the one. It hangs around the urinal base like a bad smell with a calendar invite.
Your staff clean it. Then it returns. Bold as brass.
Customers notice too. They don’t write poetry about it. They just judge your whole venue. Quietly.
✈️ The true story of the Fly (and the airport behind it)
The original “urinal fly” story comes from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. worksthatwork.com+1
In the early 1990s, Schiphol sought to reduce “spillage” around urinals. worksthatwork.com+1
A manager named Aad Kieboom is often linked to the rollout. worksthatwork.com+1
He said the idea came from a colleague, Jos van Bedaf, from the cleaning department. worksthatwork.com+1
The solution was almost laughably small. They put a fly image near the urinal drain. KPBS Public Media+1
Not a real fly. No buzzing. No horror film. Just a target.
What was reported
✅ A drop in spillage, often quoted at around 80%. KPBS Public Media+1
✅ An 8% reduction in cleaning costs is also commonly reported. OUP Academic+1
And here’s the “grown-up” bit. A recent peer-reviewed paper in PNAS Nexus reports these results as “reportedly” and provides a 50–80% reduction range. OUP Academic
So yes, it’s famous. And yes, the exact numbers vary by source. But the behavioural point is rock solid.
Targets improve aim.
🧠 Why a tiny target works
This is “nudge” thinking. A nudge is a small cue that guides behaviour. No nagging. No rules. Just better design.
Men see a target. They aim at it. The floor gets less punishment.
It’s ridiculous. It’s also brilliant.
🚻 Why public toilets keep losing the floor fight
Most urinal mess isn’t dramatic. It’s small. Constant. Predictable.
The villain is the near miss.
Standing back makes near misses more likely. It also increases splash patterns.
In public toilets, people rush. They’re distracted. They’re in a hurry. They don’t come in to practise accuracy.
Therefore, the design must help them. Don’t scold them.
🧍 ZeroFlush is designed for the “step closer” moment
This is where ZeroFlush differs.
ZeroFlush is shaped to encourage users to get closer.
Closer stance usually means:
🎯 Better control
💦 Less splash-back
🧼 Quicker cleans
👃 Less lingering odour
That’s not theory. It’s daily life. Your cleaners will tell you first.
🎯 The ZeroFlush Fly sits on the BioPur top
We didn’t just admire Schiphol’s fly story. We built the lesson into the system.
ZeroFlush includes a discreet Fly target on the BioPur top.
So users have something natural to aim at.
BioPur, in plain English:
It’s the top insert area that users naturally focus on. So the target sits where attention already goes.
No signage. No awkward “PLEASE AIM HERE” sticker. Just a quiet nudge doing its job.
🧩 Make it yours: we can create a custom Fly sticker
Want it fun? We can have fun. We can create a custom “Fly” decal for the BioPur top.
It still works as a target. It also gives your public toilets personality.
😄 Popular custom Fly ideas
👤 The company owner (yes, it happens)
🧑💼 The CEO
🗳️ Well-known politicians
🐝 A mascot, logo, or brand icon
🎯 A clean bullseye
🏉 Collingwood footy players (particularly popular)
You can almost hear the laughter already. Sometimes you can listen to the groan, too. That’s part of it.
A quick reality check
If you use a real person’s face, get permission. It avoids complaints and legal grief. We’ll steer you to a safer version if needed.
🧼 Why this matters more than you think
Wet floors not only look unappealing, but they can also be hazardous. They feel unsafe. They feel uncared for.
And staff feel it every shift. Cleaning the same patch all day is exhausting.
Drier floors can mean:
🧽 Less mop time
🧴 Less chemical use
⚠️ Lower slip risk
😌 Better customer comfort
🙏 Less staff frustration
Small changes stack up fast. Especially on big nights.
🌊 Why the Gold Coast needs practical solutions
Gold Coast venues get smashed on weekends. Public toilets take the hit.
If your toilets are a constant source of complaint, act now. Don’t wait for the following review. It never arrives politely.
✅ The takeaway
ZeroFlush helps users get closer. The Fly target helps them aim. Together, they cut the near-miss mess.
Less splash. Drier floors. Cleaner public toilets that don’t embarrass you.
❓ FAQ
What airport started the urinal Fly idea?
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is a famous example. worksthatwork.com+1
Who came up with it at Schiphol?
Aad Kieboom is often credited with introducing it.
He said the idea came from Jos van Bedaf in the cleaning team. worksthatwork.com+1
Did it really reduce spillage by 80%?
That figure is widely reported, including in an NPR-linked story. KPBS Public Media
A peer-reviewed paper summarises it as “reportedly” 50–80%. OUP Academic
Was there also a reduction in cleaning costs?
Yes, 8% is often cited as the rate for reducing cleaning costs. OUP Academic+1
Where is the Fly on ZeroFlush?
On the BioPur top, so users have a natural aiming point.
Can we order a custom Fly design?
Yes. We can create a custom decal for the BioPur top.
Collingwood player themes are especially popular in Melbourne.
Will ZeroFlush be “maintenance-free forever”?
No. Nothing is.
But predictable servicing beats surprise problems.
Gary Mays, born and educated in Auckland, New Zealand, has called the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, home since 1986. Currently, the Executive Director at Whywait Plumbing Pty Ltd and Aquatemp Environmental Solutions Pty Ltd. He’s a licensed plumber with an impressive international business background in New Zealand, Australia, and Singapore. Gary is known for his vigorous advocacy in plumbing, water conservation, sustainability, and small business growth. He is an influential and forward-thinking leader, a frequent voice in modern media for his industry insights and deep dedication to ecological, environmental, and professional causes.