Public restroom hygiene remains a significant challenge, with many people skipping handwashing despite health risks. Traditional solutions like signage or free soap often fail because they rely on voluntary compliance. One way to address this could be implementing a system where users pay a small, refundable deposit to access restrooms—getting their money back automatically when they wash their hands properly.

A Behavior-Based Incentive System

This approach could work by requiring a small deposit (e.g., $1) to enter a public restroom, which is instantly refunded when the user washes their hands. Verification methods might include:

• Motion sensors near sinks tracking hand movement
• Soap dispenser usage tracking
• A minimum washing time requirement (15-30 seconds)

For initial testing, a simpler version could use smartphone check-ins and honor-based confirmation, gradually evolving to sensor-based verification in later phases.

Benefits and Stakeholder Incentives

The system would create a win-win scenario across multiple stakeholders:

• Users: Recover their deposit while gaining health benefits
• Facilities: Enjoy cleaner restrooms without added costs (since deposits are refunded)
• Public health: Reduce disease transmission in high-traffic areas
• Payment providers: Gain transaction volume from micro-deposits

If concerns arise (like accessibility or payment processing fees), possible solutions include free access for users with disabilities and batch processing of micro-transactions to minimize fees.

Implementation Strategy

Execution could follow three phases:

1. Digital MVP (3 months): Honor-based confirmation via smartphone
2. Sensor integration (6 months): Basic motion detection in pilot locations
3. Full deployment (12+ months): Custom implementations for high-traffic venues

Testing would be essential to validate key assumptions—like whether small monetary incentives actually increase handwashing rates without being seen as intrusive.

This concept differs from existing solutions by using behavioral economics (people's tendency to avoid losses) rather than physical barriers or surveillance. If successful, it could create a scalable way to improve public health while remaining commercially viable.