DC welcomes first of 5 Throne bathrooms

WASHINGTON ( DC News Now ) — The District welcomed the first of five free, portable public restrooms that are part of a new contract.

The D.C. Department of Public Works signed a contract with the company Throne Labs to bring the bathrooms to the District.

The first bathroom popped up in Oxon Run. D.C. Councilmember Brianne Nadeau said that the location would serve the park and the W2 bus stop.

Throne Labs, which is based out of Brentwood, Md., provides standalone bathroom units that can be moved. These units do not need any water, sewer or electric hookups.

Throne bathrooms can be accessed by scanning a QR code, texting a number or using the Throne app. The company also works with other partners to give tap cards to unhoused people and other marginalized groups.

Throne Labs COO and Co-Founder Jessica Heinzelman told DC News Now that this access method helps promote accountability. She said that the phone connection also helps ask for a cleanliness rating, which then helps with cleaning scheduling at the bathrooms.

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