The first step was to select the locations for the toilets at the 2025 International German Gymnastics Festival in Leipzig – in consultation with the production/logistics team. Four locations were chosen: in the city center, in a park, by a lake, and on the festival grounds – the main event area. Only separate toilets were available at the first three locations – including barrier-free versions and unisex urinals.

As part of the preparations for the event, staff and, above all, volunteers were trained in the use of dry toilets. A workshop was also held as part of the public participation program on toilets.

On all days of the event, volunteers at all four locations informed and encouraged visitors to use the toilets and conducted surveys. Among those surveyed, 77% rated the dry toilets as very positive. The vast majority were not familiar with this type of toilet and learned about it in the context of this sporting event.

Dry/separating/composting toilets have decisive advantages:

• Savings in water and environmentally harmful chemicals
• Use of biodegradable material (straw)
• Contribution to the circular economy through composting
• Lower climate impact
• Reduction in transport costs (foldable systems compared to fixed chemical toilet cabins)

Temporary events, such as major sporting events, require a large number of toilets for a short period of time. Depending on the system used, this can lead to very high water consumption or the use of environmentally harmful chemicals.

To counteract this, dry/separation/composting toilets were used at selected locations at the gymnastics festival instead of chemical toilets or mobile toilet trailers.