Namibia

If you're out in the wilds, watch out for snakes and scorpions then burn the paper; burying is no good, the land is too dry to allow it to rot down. Hotels and lodgings in Namibia tend to have Western-style flushers, in the villages you'll be looking at long drops. Bin the paper.

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Nauru

Composting toilets are becoming the norm in Nauru , these stop water getting out and back into the drinking supply. In composting toilets you're ok to throw the paper in, elsewhere, bin it.

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Nepal

Squat toilets and water to wash with are the most common option in Nepal . If you've got your own paper and use it, throw it in the bin provided.

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Netherlands

Feel free to put the paper down the toilet, the Dutch are very civilised like that. Having said that, the Dutch are like the Germans in the "let's have a look at what you've done" stakes and you will find an inspection shelf in the bowl. Goodness knows what the point of this is, but be prepared to have to flush a few times if you've been on the sausages the night before. I have recently been told that it's also illegal to wee in public/behind a tree/against a church; the Dutch have a word for it though, "wildplassen" - wild peeing.

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New Zealand

Did you know that all toilet paper in New Zealand is technically still the property of the government? And that it is often considered fashionable to buy paper that is patterned so that it matches the decoration in the bathroom? Almost seems a shame to flush it really, which is the accepted method of disposal in most toilets.

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Nicaragua

As with most of Central America, there will be a small bin to the side of the toilet in Nicaragua . Put the paper in there, the sewage system won't be able to cope with large amounts of paper.

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Niger

It seems that the vast majority of toilets that are available in Niger are composting long-drop type holes in the ground. Some of them may even have a Western-style toilet attached to the top for that luxury feel. In these you can throw the paper (other products should be thrown in the bin) as they will compost down. If you're in the graeat outdoors, bury the paper.

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Nigeria

As a Muslim country, you'll be offered the old washing bucket most commonly in Nigeria . Don't flush your paper, the sewage system is rudimentary at best.

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Norway

You can happily throw the paper in the toilet in Norway , it's very space-aged over there. You'll often find you have to pay to get into one of the many public toilets, make sure you've got exact change. Airport and train station public facilities can still be pretty unpleasant. Oh, and it's illegal to wee behind a tree.

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Oman

Public toilets are severely lacking in Oman and those that are available can be in a pretty poor state; however, there are moves afoot to introduce newer, cleaner pay toilets. Western-style toilets are found in posher hotels but elsewhere you'll be squatting. Always carry a roll of paper and be prepared to bin it somewhere sensible; all toilets provide water to wash with as wiping is considered rather unpleasant by the locals.

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Pakistan

Decent public toilets are few and far between in Pakistan . Upmaket hotels with often have 'proper' toilets. Again, washing is the norm, so if you're carrying and use paper, be prepared to throw it in the bin.

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Palau

Sanitation is pretty rudimentary in Palau and toilets will be basic at best. Probably best to bin the paper if you don't want to bung the whole place up.

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Panama

Back to Central America again; however, in the majority of cases you can flush your paper in Panama . Off the beaten track though you will still have to put your toilet paper in the bins/bags provided; it may seem unsanitary if you've never experienced it before, but it's far better than blocking and flooding all over the place.

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Papua New Guinea

Toilets in Papua New Guinea are mostly squat style and paper won't be provided as the locals use the water or bidet provided. Bins are there to throw the used paper in, so don't drop it in the hole.

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Paraguay

Should you be lucky enough to find a Western-style toilet, remember to put the paper in the bin provided. Paraguay is poor in many places and the sewage system just can't take it.

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Peru

You'll normally find a little bin by the toilet in Peru , use that for the paper. The system can't cope with it and you really don't want to flood the place. That said, I know of at least two places where I was told you could flush the paper, but it's really not worth the risk if you're using a lot.

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Philippines

There are no public toilets in the Philippines , and the locals will often just use a wall. Find a restaurant if you don't fancy that. Bin your paper where ever you go; if you're in the wilds, dig a hole a good distance from anything that looks remotely like drinking water and cover it with a rock.

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Poland

Public toilets are as rare as hen's teeth in Poland , although you should be able to use one in a restaurant or hotel if you're caught short (be prepared to buy something in the former). Hiding behind a tree is not a good idea as it's illegal and you'll end up getting fined. If you do manage to go, you can flush the paper.

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Portugal

Public toilets in Portugal tend to be pretty horrendous so use those in cafes and restaurants where you can; handily, they also tend to be free. Paper can be flushed in most cases, but you may see bins in touristy places (although this is where); if you do, and you're told to, use that.

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Qatar

Reports seem to suggest that toilets, especially public toilets, in Qatar are pretty horrible places – there can't be many places where you'd actually be glad of a semi-hygienic squatter without large puddles around them. Wherever you find to go, put the paper in the bin provided (although in higher quality hotels and restaurants, you may be able to flush it; bin where possible).

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Romania

Although toilets in Ceaucesu-era Romania could be pretty horrific, they are improving these days. You may still be binning the paper in more out of the way places, as older Eastern European and ex-Soviet states tend to use this method, but in most cases in the big cities you can flush; however, if you come across a squatter, don't even think about lobbing the paper in there.

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Russia

You're going to be binning it in most ex-USSR states, and Russia is no different. Despite pipes that look like they're designed to take vodka bottles, they just can't cope, so use the basket or bin provided.

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Rwanda

In most of rural Rwanda you're going to be dealing with a trench or pit, there are no sewage systems to speak of and septic tanks and pit toilets are very rare and flush toilets are rarer than dodos; cities do tend to have western-style toilets though. It's usually a case of binning the paper, but bury or burn if you're in the middle of nowhere.

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St Kitts & Nevis

These days most toilets on St. Kitts and Nevis can take your paper, so you'll be ok to flush. Bear in mind though that some guidebooks will tell you otherwise, but if you can't flush, it'll be fairly obvious.

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St Lucia

The Carribbean sewage system is pretty good these days, so you'll be able to flush in most places in St Lucia .

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Saint Vincent & the Grenadines

It's the Carribbean hat-trick! Bin, don't flush in St Vincent .

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Samoa

Carry your own paper, bin don't flush. Public toilets are extremely rare in Samoa ; posher hotels may have composting or septic tanks, but these are even rarer.

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San Marino

Unsurprisingly, San Marino is much like Italy. Usually toilets are very powerful and can shift a lot. Feel free to flush unless specifically told not to. Public toilets are few and far between, try a restaurant if you're caught short but you may have to buy a small item.

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Sao Tome & Principe

Carry your own paper, bin don't flush. Public toilets are extremely rare in Sao Tome ; posher hotels may have composting or septic tanks, but these are even rarer.

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Saudi Arabia

As with most Arabic countries you're going to be squatting and washing in Saudi Arabia , they don't really do toilet paper. If you do use paper, throw it away, don't drop it in the hole.

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Senegal

Public toilets don't exist in Senegal , but if you're in a built up area you should be able to use one in a restaurant – be prepared to have to buy something. Petrol stations and bus terminals will have facilities, but these are probably appalling. You'll be binning your paper. Some eco-lodges will have composters, you should be shown how to use them.

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Serbia

You should flush your paper in Serbia .

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Seychelles

Bins again in Seychelles , unless you're washing.

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Sierra Leone

Well, nice to see you're off the beaten path, let's be honest, Sierra Leone isn't a normal holiday destination. Western Africa is often pit toilets with a long drop and hole; it's often best not to throw paper and similar into these holes as they fill up quickly and don't compost properly so throw it away somewhere appropriate. You will find flush toilets, these will quickly block if you put paper in, so again, bin it.

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Singapore

Reports on cleanliness and facilities in Singapore 's toilets vary. You will find clean, well-maintained toilets in newer restaurants and shopping malls, but elsewhere, hold your breath. Both squat and 'normal' toilets are common. In public toilets you may well be putting your paper in the bin; newer and classier facilities will allow you to flush. Which you should do, failure to do so is illegal apparently, and you can be hit with a S$75 fine (or so it says here). Oh, there are squatters too that come with hoses to wash, if you're that way inclined.

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Slovakia

You should be able to flush in Slovakia . Toilets are the normal flushing type and public toilets are normally clean. You may have to pay a small amount to use public toilets though; and carry some paper with you, public toilet attendants probably won't give you much in the way of paper.

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Slovenia

Generally speaking Slovenia is a lovely place and, not in entirely unrelated news, you can flush your paper down the toilet.

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Solomon Islands

Toilets are mostly squat style in the Solomon Islands and often composters; paper won't be provided as the locals use the water or bidet provided. Bins are there to throw the used paper in, so don't drop it in the hole.

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Somalia

How did you end up in Somalia ? Somalians tend to use toilet paper, although the local varieties tend to be poor quality assuming you can get hold of it in the first place. You'll be binning the paper, unless you're in the wilds, in which case burning is the accepted method of disposal.

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South Africa

Public toilets are few and far between in South Africa , but do exist. Ask at tourist information or restaurants. Toilets in cities tend to be Western-style and you should be able to flush. In townships and in the countryside, long-drops tend to be most common, bin or throw the paper in.

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Spain

Spain is a bit of a mix. In most cities and beach resorts you can flush the paper. Although you might be asked specifically to use a bin, in which case, do. If you're out in the countryside and stuck in a refugio bury it or burn it. If you're using a camp site, follow the instructions (although if in doubt, flush).

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Sri Lanka

Sri Lankans are washers, so you'll be very lucky to have paper provided. Public toilets, if you can find them, will probably be pretty horrific. However, most toilets are Western-style and restaurants and the like will let you use theirs. Bin your paper, or if you're in the jungle, put it in a plastic bag and take it home with you (for use as a delightful souvenir).

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Sudan

The locals wash with the buckets of water provided, so if you want to use paper, make sure you've got some with you, you'll only be provided with it in the poshest of hotels. You'll encounter both squat and Western-style toilets in Sudan and often be expected to pay a small amount for public facilities; bin the paper, don't throw it in.

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Suriname

You may well end up paying to use a public toilet, assuming you can find one, but don't expect it to be clean. In common with most of South America you'll have to throw the paper in the bin in Suriname as the water pressure is too low, the pipes to narrow and any processing plants far too antiquated to deal with it.

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Swaziland

You'll be using long-drops more often than not in Swaziland . And more often and not you can throw paper into the hole. Use a bin if provided as this will help prevent too much pollution.

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Sweden

Sweden is a lovely country and you are more than welcome to flush your delightfully efficient and comfortable Scandinavian paper down the toilet with abandon. You'll probably have to pay to use public facilities, but they will almost certainly be delightful except the ones at Skavsta airport, which are workmanlike at best, but free (handy if sodding Ryanair start charging you to go on the plane). Don't wee behind a tree, you'll be fined.

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Switzerland

The Swiss would probably be very angry (but remain assiduously neutral nonetheless) if you suggested you couldn't flush paper down the toilet, you can, and it's recommended that you do. Oh, and if you happen to be in Basle or Lausanne, there are public facilities with one-way mirrored glass, so you can see out while you're in there, but no one can see in. Go on, I dare you.

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Syria

Let's be honest, at the moment if you're in Syria , going to the toilet is going to be one of the less worrying things you'll be facing. That said, you'll be washing, or you'll be binning as a general rule.

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Taiwan

In the majority of cases you'll be binning the paper in Taiwan . However, in some towns, the government has recently set up training programmes to explain to the locals that the sewage system has been updated to cope with the paper, but this is far from the norm. This might sound odd, but as I've been reading up on this stuff, I've come across a similar story on a number of occasions...

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Tajikistan

Tajikistan is another ex-Soviet country with pipes that can't take the paper, so bin it or take it home with you.

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Tanzania

Holes in the ground are very common in Tanzania , public toilets are not. Against all the odds though, you should be able to flush in a Western-style sitter.

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Thailand

No Thai toilet, squat, Western-flush or otherwise can take toilet paper, so put it in the bin provided. Again, washing is the preferred local method, so make sure you've got some paper with you unless you're going to a posh restaurant or hotel.

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Togo

Yup, you guessed it, it's bins all the way in Togo . You'll be hard pushed to find a toilet that flushes in the first place, so be prepared. Oh, and carry something to wash your hands with as well, there probably won't be running water provided, let alone soap or one of those fancy Airblade hand-drier things.

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Tonga

You're likely to be binning paper in Tonga .

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Trinidad & Tobago

I've been reliably informed that you can flush the paper down any toilet in Trinidad and Tobago , although according to the guidebook I've got here this might not be true; assume you can flush unless specifically told otherwise. If you're going into the jungle, for goodness sake take any paper home with you as it's against the law – not to mention an unpleasant thing to do.

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Tunisia

North African countries are washers, so get the hang of that or bin the paper. Expensive hotels in Tunisia will tend to have western-style toilets that flush though.

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Turkey

In upmarket and European-style hotels in Turkey you'll be able to flush the paper. In other places, there'll be a bin by the side of the toilet so throw the paper in there. If there's a water jug by the side of the toilet, the locals use that to wash; paper may not be readily available, so make sure you've got some with you.

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Turkmenistan

You'll not find many public toilets in Turkmenistan , and if you do you'll be paying a little bit of money to use them; although it has to be said, most will be nasty if you do find one. Flushers or holes in the ground? neither will be able to take the paper, so put it in the bin.

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Tuvalu

Toilets in Tuvalu can be an ecological nightmare, poorly maintained septic tanks are polluting the groundwater which, as the sea level is very high, is close to ground level. Composting toilets are being introduced to help. Bin your paper.

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Uganda

You'll need to bin the paper in Uganda . If you can find a bin. Although moves are afoot to improve the situation, thse aren't always supplied so be prepared to take it all with you; don't fllush, the system really can't take it.

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Ukraine

Most of the time you'll be binning your paper; Ukraine is behind the old iron curtain, and these countries tend to have poorly maintained sewage systems. Paper is in high demand, so make sure you've got some with you

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United Arab Emirates

Arab countries are bottom-washers as a rule; you'll probably be ok to flush the paper in the UAE and the various Emirate states unless you're well off the beaten track.

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United Kingdom

It's fair to say that in the vast majority of toilets in the UK you can just lob the paper in the toilet. There are a few hippies with "composting" toilets, goodness knows what you're supposed to do with those, but I'm sure your green friends will tell you. Probably use leaves or moss or something.

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United States

You're alright to throw the paper in the toilet in the USA , although I have heard unspecified rumours of bins in some of the grottier places of some big cities...

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Uruguay

You still see squat toilets in Uruguay , but mostly you see "normal" toilets. The system is usually not strong enough to take toilet paper, so if there's a bin, use that.

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Uzbekistan

Ex-Soviet state? Locals like to wash? Bin your paper in Uzbekistan . If you can find any...

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Vanuatu

South Pacific islands like Vanuatu are almost exclusively binners; this is to avoid problems with pollution of the groundwater and drinking water supplies.

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Vatican City

Unless you're the Pope and you've got hoards of lackeys to wipe your bottom with swan necks and rose water, then you can flush your paper down the toilet, just like the rest of Rome .

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Venezuela

Use the bins by the side of the toilet for any paper disposal please. This is pretty much the default state of affairs in Central and South America and you get used to it pretty quickly. There's no shame in asking for your bin to be emptied in most places you're likely to stay in Venezuela .

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Vietnam

Vietnam is another South East Asian toilet paper binning country. No public facilities to speak of, mostly squatter types, wash your bottom if you can. Facilities in Vietnam are being updated, so you will come across systems that can take flushing the paper, if you're in a public loo, then ask.

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Yemen

You do find Western-style toilets in Yemen , but they're in a minority, you'll be squatting more often than not. You'll be binning your paper.

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Zambia

Recycled toilet paper is massively popular, even fashionable, in Zambia . Although according to a Times article I've just locals are known to use "the velvety-soft elephant-ear plant". I had to read that a couple of times I have to admit. Bin your paper.

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Zimbabwe

Without wanting to get all cliched about hyperinflation and using dollar bills as paper, toilet paper in Zimbabwe is expensive and you'd better be prepared to hunt around for it as there's massive shortages. Seems a shame to throw it away really, but do. Don't flush.

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