Library

Various documents on results from research grant

Wang, J.

2013

Frontier Environmental Technology, Rolla, Missouri, USA

This library entry contains background documents for a grant that Jianmin Wang is leading and which is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Further information and a discussion is available on the SuSanA discussion forum: http://forum.susana.org/forum/categories/98-resource-recovery-from-excreta-or-faecal-sludge/4209-biogas-generator-powered-by-self-sustaining-mixing-mechanism-frontier-environmental-technology-usa Goal(s): The goal of this project is to develop a high-efficiency biogas generator capable of producing the quantity of biogas and quality of effluent typical of advanced biogas generators, but without their inherent power or maintenance requirements. Objectives: (a) to develop a mixing device that uses the biogas generated from the lower portion of the biogas generator to automatically mix the generator content, without external energy input and mechanical moving parts; (b) to preliminary test the performance improvement of the biogas generator that integrates the self-mixing capability with the conventional biogas generators. How does it work? Overall, I have a mixing device within the reactor. This device collects gas bubbles from the lower portion of the tank. At a certain gas volume, the entire amount of the gas is released all together, creating a suction from the tank bottom and mixing the reactor. It uses the lifting power of the biogas bubbles created within the reactor therefore it does not need external power to drive it. Also, it does not have any mechanical moving parts, and all function is accomplished hydraulically. Therefore it is expected to be maintenance-free. Possible applications: We intend to use this unit for family use to replace old, large non-mixing digesters, because the old systems are so large that they have to be built on-site with causes lots of issues. Since our self-mixing units are small we can fabricate them in a central location to reduce cost and improve product quality. Major frustrations: Our project has a very good start but we were disappointed that we did not get follow up funding for continued development and testing. Since this technology is so different than conventional thinking it may take some time to understand. The majority of the work during the research is to make the self-mixing biogas generator mechanically functional and to prove the self-mixing concept. Therefore, the actual biogas data is very limited. I really wished to have more funding to continue this research with a more realistic reactor, but it did not happen yet. We are welcoming supports from funding agencies and collaborators to continue this work. Authors: Canter, T., Wang, J., Atkinson, M (2012) +++++++++++ Documents available for download below: 1- Self-Mixing Biogas Generator (Presentation at FSM2 Conference in Durban, South Africa, Oct. 2012) 2- Self-Mixing Biogas Generator (Poster at FSM2 Conference in Durban, South Africa, Oct. 2012)

Various documents on results from research grant

Maradufu, A.

2013

University of Eastern Africa, Baraton, Kenya

This library entry contains background documents for a grant that Asafu Maradufu is leading and which is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Further information and a discussion is available on the SuSanA discussion forum: http://forum.susana.org/forum/categories/97-enabling-environment-and-others/4427-using-senecio-lyratipartitus-extract-after-anal-ablution-university-of-eastern-africa-kenya#4427 Short description of the project: In the early stages of this project, it was established that water kept in pans, pots and buckets for anal ablution after defecation was replete with diarrhea causing pathogens. Hands used for anal ablution were definitely contaminated with pathogens through the contaminated water. Individuals taking no measures to disinfect their hands were carrying and spreading the pathogens to members of their households and others through hand shaking and in their various duties such as cooks in hotels and as vendors of food items. The plant S. lyratus (lyratipartitus)could be used to disinfect hands and thus stop or reduce incidences of diarrhea which causes about 2 million deaths worldwide among children below the age of five. More plant materials are required to test this hypothesis on a wider scale and also mount campaigns to educate people of the findings. Goal(s): The goal of this project is to produce a gel-based disinfectant from plant extracts of Senecio lyratipartitus which can be applied to hands. This disinfectant will reduce contamination associated with the practice of anal ablution among certain communities. Objectives: To develop an affordable hand sanitizer from the senecio lyratipartitus which can be applied on hands after anal ablution and thus prevent or reduce cases of diarrhea not only within a given household but also in a wider population. To sensitize populations practicing anal ablution of the inevitable dangers of spreading diarrhea through undisinfected hands to individuals and a given population. Authors: Maradufu, A., Obey, J. K., Sang, B. C., Khang’ati, J. E. (2012) +++++++++++ Documents available for download below: 1- Using Senecio Lyratipartitus as a hand disinfectant after anal ablution (Presentation at FSM2 Conference in Durban, South Africa, Oct. 2012) 2- Using Senecio Lyratipartitus as a hand disinfectant after anal ablution (Presentation at FSM2 Conference in Durban, South Africa, Oct. 2012)

Various documents on results from research grant

Robbins, D.

2013

RTI, International, North Carolina, USA

This library entry contains background documents for a grant that David Robbins is leading and which is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Further information and a discussion is available on the SuSanA discussion forum: http://forum.susana.org/forum/categories/105-processing-technologies-for-excreta-or-faecal-sludge/3856-using-cocopeat-for-treating-septic-tank-effluent-rti-usa-philippines-indonesia-vietnam-and-other-countries Short description of the project: Commercialize the cocopeat biofiltration technology for rapid scale up through prototyping, testing in controlled and operational environments, and then launching the products through a market-based sales and distribution model. Goal(s): The goal of this project is to test and commercialize next generation low cost and sustainable wastewater treatment systems using an innovative biofilter medium harvested from crushed coconut shells. Cocopeat, the dust that remains after the coir (fibers) are removed, is proving to be an effective medium for treating wastewater. The project team is testing the cocopeat biofilters on septic tank effluent, the effluent from community biodigesters, and greywater from residential and commercial sources. Simplified construction and installation techniques are also being explored and documented for the eventual commercialization and scaling up of the technology. Objectives: a) To introduce cocopeat biofiltration technology as a viable wastewater management choice that may be lower in cost, require less area, quicker set up time and simpler operation and maintenance than other secondary wastewater systems, such as constructed wetlands or sand and gravel filters. b) to provide business opportunities to local service providers that wish to expand their services to include this low cost technology c) to help spur economic development and job creation in coconut producing areas by introducing a new product and new paradigm of low cost sanitation improvement. Research or implementation partners: o Muntinlupa City, Municipal Government, Philippines o Can Tho University, Vietnam o Instut Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia o Duke University, North Carolina USA o Eram Scientific, India o Quanics, Inc. USA o Innovative Waste Consulting Services, USA +++++++++++ Documents available for download below: 1- Lessons Learned in Fecal Sludge Management: Experiences from the Philippines (Paper at FSM2 Conference in Durban, South Africa, Oct. 2012) 2- Lessons Learned in Fecal Sludge Management: Experiences from the Philippines (Presentation at FSM2 Conference in Durban, South Africa, Oct. 2012)

Various documents on results from research grant

Linden, K.

2013

University of Colorado, Boulder, USA

This library entry contains background documents for a grant that Karl Linden is leading and which is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Further information and a discussion is available on the SuSanA discussion forum: http://forum.susana.org/forum/categories/105-processing-technologies-for-excreta-or-faecal-sludge/3960-sol-char-toilet-using-concentrated-solar-energy-to-treat-fecal-waste-and-produce-a-valuable-soil-amendment-colorado Project Description: Last September, our team here at the University of Colorado, Boulder took on the BMGF challenge to reinvent the toilet with a novel approach that utilizes concentrated solar energy to safely and efficiently char fecal waste without the need for intensive pre-drying. As a quick overview, our toilet – the Sol-Char Toilet – is a waterless, self-contained toilet that functions off-the-grid. Concentrated sunlight is delivered to fiber optic bundles located at the focus of parabolic concentrators (see Concept Sketch). The fiber optic cables are fed to the reaction compartment of the Sol-Char where the various individual cables are terminated at an outer or “solar” lid positioned over the waste collection container. The innovative transmission of concentrated solar power illuminates the inner collection container and disinfects the waste though conduction, convection, and radiation heat transfer. The reaction compartment comprises two or more containers that are alternated between “collection” and “reaction” modes via a simple carousel system that can be automated (powered with photovoltaic energy) or manually controlled. The reactor is designed to achieve high temperatures (300oC to 750oC) and produces a safe and useable product. Research Goal: Our goal during this phase 1 of research is to develop a functioning toilet prototype that will provide a scientific basis for utilizing concentrated solar energy to safely disinfect and transform human waste into valuable end products (such as char for agricultural soil application). On-going research activities include: • Solar collection and transmission optimization • Reactor modeling and fabrication • Char product evaluation and testing o Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) and dry pyrolysis chars will be compared o Dry pyrolysis will also be evaluated with mixed waste and urine diversion to determine the best utilization of nutrients o Adsorption studies will be conducted in the liquid and gas phase to determine if the char can be further enriched with NPK • Means for odor control, gas utilization, and final product storage • User interface and safety features Our prototype development is underway and we are excited to further advance this technology. We welcome your feedback and comments! +++++++++++ Documents available for download below: Solar Biochar Toilet (Presentation at FSM2 Conference in Durban, South Africa, Oct. 2012)

Briefing Note

Lennon, S.

2011

SHARE (Sanitation and Hygiene Applied Research for Equity) and WaterAid, UK

The link between a lack of access to water and sanitation facilities and sexual violence against women is not well known and to date has received insufficient attention. This document attempts to highlight this link within the context of urban slums in Delhi, and suggests how this problem can be addressed. Access to water and sanitation services and the fulfilment of these fundamental human rights is experienced differently by men and women. The lack of access to sanitation and drinking water affects women and girls disproportionately, by impacting on their health and dignity, contributing to their vulnerability, and thereby frustrating efforts to empower women to lead a healthy and economically productive life. Women without water supplies and toilets within their homes are potentially vulnerable to sexual violence when travelling to and from public facilities, when using public facilities and when they have to defecate in the open in the absence of any amenities.

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Various documents on results from research grant

Deshusses, M.

2013

Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA

This library entry contains background documents for a grant that Marc Deshusses is leading and which is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Further information and a discussion is available on the SuSanA discussion forum: http://forum.susana.org/forum/categories/105-processing-technologies-for-excreta-or-faecal-sludge/2952-effective-sewage-sanitation-with-low-co2-footprint-duke-university-in-durham-north-carolina-usa#2952 Short description of the project: The overall objective of our project is to develop and demonstrate the proof of concept a novel self-contained and energy neutral sanitation technology that relies on anaerobic digestion of the wastes to generate biogas and utilization of the biogas thus produced to heat-sterilize the treated effluent. The system utilizes simple and reliable equipment so that it does not require a skilled operator or any special maintenance regime. Goal: Provide proof of concept of anaerobic digestion coupled with heat sterilization for a self-sanitizing system for developing communities Activities and objectives The project has been divided in two main parts: a) The anaerobic reactor (lab scale): design and performance b) The heat sterilization system (full-scale or near full-scale): design, construction and proof of concept to heat-sterilize the treated sewage effluent The main goal of the lab anaerobic reactor is to prove the suitability of a mixture of feces and urine to serve as a substrate for the anaerobic process focused mainly in the yield and rate of biogas production. The concern is mainly to achieve usual biogas yields and obtain suitable rates of biogas production. Regarding the heat sterilization system, the challenge is to design a simple and low-cost system with virtually no moving parts, that can effectively deployed, e.g., as a replacement of pit latrines. Research or implementation partners: Chepkoilel University, Eldoret, Kenya Further authors: Deshusses, M., Colon, J., Forbis-Stokes, A. +++++++++++ Documents available for download below: 1- Effective sewage sanitation with low CO2 footprint (Paper at FSM2 Conference in Durban, South Africa, Oct. 2012) 2- Effective sewage sanitation with low CO2 footprint (Presentation at FSM2 Conference in Durban, South Africa, Oct. 2012)

Various documents on results from research grant

Hand, T.

2013

Wetland Works! Ltd, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

This library entry contains background documents for a grant that Taber Hand is leading and which is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Further information and a discussion is available on the SuSanA discussion forum: http://forum.susana.org/forum/categories/105-processing-technologies-for-excreta-or-faecal-sludge/4057-floating-treatment-pods-for-lake-communities-in-asia-wetland-works-ltd-phnom-penh-cambodia Short description of the project: The socio-entrepreneurial start-up Wetlands Work! received a grant in Round 7 of the Bill and Melinda Gates Grand Challenges Exploration program. WW! has developed an individual household wastewater treatment system that uses floating “Pods” - similar in appearance to children’s wading pools - that are positioned directly under the toilets of houseboats occupied by low-income fishing families. Similar to aquatic mesocosms, the Pods are filled with floating plants, and the bacteria that reside on the plant roots are capable of breaking down contaminants and making the water significantly cleaner. Presently, Pods are installed throughout an entire floating community and data on water quality (indicator organisms) and diarrheal incidence (children ds are used per household. The first, which is positioned directly under the toilet, covered and predominantly anaerobic, is linked through a small opening to a second Pod, predominantly aerobic and containing plants. This set-up eliminates odor and increases treatment capacity. 2) Pod tests: demonstrated the ability of the single aerobic Pod to significantly reduce E. coli (an indicator bacterium) levels under controlled conditions by 3 log orders in a 24-hr period, for example from 6.7 to 3.9 log reduction of E. coli. Pods were filled with clean water and hyacinth (~3.5 kg). Sewage or raw feces were added and E. coli measured in water samples. Pod tests on lake: A tracer study will be used to determine most efficient retention time and flow between double Pods and out flow to ambient water. Pilot Pod village tests: Single Pod tested 1+ year at a floating research station and then for 4 months at a villager’s house, followed by village-wide deployment of double Pods since January 1, 2013. Two villages have been selected, with one acting as a no-intervention control, while in the second treatment Pods are widely adopted in all but three houses. There are approximately forty households in one, fifty in the other at similar income levels. Each family has between 4 to 6 people. A weekly survey is used to gauge the health of 0-10 year olds (our target group is 0-5 yr olds) in the villages using a simple questionnaire on gastrointestinal symptoms and three photos from the Bristol stool test. After 18+ months of Pod usage, health and water quality data collected over the course of Pod implementation in the two villages will be statistically assessed. 3) Field-testing on the village scale (40 households, 37 Pods, 198 people): Observing and addressing usefulness, behavioural adaptation and maintenance issues, as well as optimising Pod size to ensure sufficient treatment capacity for larger households of 7 or more, including schoolhouse. Further, testing locally available materials (e.g. bamboo baskets) to adapt in Pod construction. 4) Field-testing in Burma: In addition to the floating villages in Cambodia, a variant treatment Pod is being designed for pilot introduction in two stilted home communities (~50 Pods each, total ~460 people) living on Lake Inle, Burma, which face similar challenges in sanitation. The administrative framework and MOU are in place, and we are currently awaiting funding. Research or implementation partners: Conservation International in Cambodia and Inle Lake and Watershed Development Association and Institute of International Development in Burma +++++++++++ Documents available for download below: Floating treatment pods for lake communities (Presentation at FSM2 Conference in Durban, South Africa, Oct. 2012)

Various documents on results from research grant

Lindsay, S.

2013

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK

This library entry contains background documents for a grant that Steve Lindsay is leading and which is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Goal(s): The goal of this project is to design traps that attract, capture and kill flies in latrines in an effort to reduce fly-transmitted diarrheal diseases. Abstract of Paper 1 (Lindsay et al. 2012): Background: Chrysomya spp are common blowflies in Africa, Asia and parts of South America and some species can reproduce in prodigious numbers in pit latrines. Because of their strong association with human feces and their synanthropic nature, we examined whether these flies are likely to be vectors of diarrheal pathogens. Methodology/Principal Findings: Flies were sampled using exit traps placed over the drop holes of latrines in Gambian villages. Odor-baited fly traps were used to determine the relative attractiveness of different breeding and feeding media. The presence of bacteria on flies was confirmed by culture and bacterial DNA identified using PCR. A median of 7.00 flies/ latrine/day (IQR = 0.0–25.25) was collected, of which 95% were Chrysomya spp, and of these nearly all were Chrysomya putoria (99%). More flies were collected from traps with feces from young children (median = 3.0, IQR = 1.75–10.75) and dogs (median = 1.50, IQR = 0.0–13.25) than from herbivores (median = 0.0, IQR = 0.0–0.0; goat, horse, cow and calf; p,0.001). Flies were strongly attracted to raw meat (median = 44.5, IQR = 26.25–143.00) compared with fish (median = 0.0, IQR = 0.0–19.75, ns), cooked and uncooked rice, and mangoes (median = 0.0, IQR = 0.0–0.0; p,0.001). Escherichia coli were cultured from the surface of 21% (15/72 agar plates) of Chrysomya spp and 10% of these were enterotoxigenic. Enteroaggregative E. coli were identified by PCR in 2% of homogenized Chrysomya spp, Shigella spp in 1.4% and Salmonella spp in 0.6% of samples. Conclusions/Significance: The large numbers of C. putoria that can emerge from pit latrines, the presence of enteric pathogens on flies, and their strong attraction to raw meat and fish suggests these flies may be common vectors of diarrheal diseases in Africa. Abstract of paper 2 (Lindsay et al., 2012): African pit latrines produce prodigious numbers of the latrine fly, Chrysomya putoria, a putative vector of diarrhoeal pathogens. We set out to develop a simple, low-cost odour-baited trap for collecting C. putoria in the field. A series of field experiments was carried out in The Gambia to assess the catching-efficiency of different trap designs. The basic trap was a transparent 3L polypropylene box baited with 50 g of fish, with a white opaque lid with circular entrance holes. We tested variations of the number, diameter, position and shape of the entrance holes, the height of the trap above ground, degree of transparency of the box, its shape, volume, colour, and the attractiveness of gridded surfaces on or under the trap. Traps were rotated between positions on different sampling occasions using a Latin Square design. The optimal trapping features were incorporated into a final trap that was tested against commercially available traps. Features of the trap that increased the number of flies caught included: larger entrance holes (compared with smaller ones, p,0.001), using conical collars inside the holes (compared with without collars, p = 0.01), entrance holes on the top of the trap (compared with the side or bottom, p,0.001), traps placed on the ground (compared with above ground, p,0.001), the box having transparent sides (compared with being opaque, p,0.001), and with no wire grids nearby (compared with those with grids, p = 0.03). This trap collected similar numbers of C. putoria to other common traps for blow flies. The optimum trap design was a transparent box, with a white plastic lid on top, perforated with 10 conical entrance holes, placed on the ground. Our simple trap provides a cheap, low-maintenance and effective method of sampling C. putoria in the field. Authors: Paper 1 1: Lindsay, T. C., Jawara, M., D’Alessandro, U., Pinder M., Lindsay S.W. Paper 2: Lindsay, S. W., Lindsay, T. C., Duprez, J., Hall, M. J. R., Kwambana, B. A., Jawara, M., Nurudeen, I. U., Sallah, N., Wyatt, N., D’Alessandro, U., Pinder, M., Antonio, M. Further documents (not available for download from this website): Abstract of paper 3: Lindsay, T. C., Jawara, M., D’Alessandro, U., Pinder, M., Lindsay, S. W. (2013) Preliminary studies developing methods for the control of Chrysomya putoria, the African latrine fly, in pit latrines in The Gambia. Tropical Medicine and International Health volume 18 no 2 pp 159–165 Objective To explore ways of controlling Chrysomya putoria, the African latrine fly, in pit latrines. As pit latrines are a major source of these flies, eliminating these important breeding sites is likely to reduce village fly populations, and may reduce the spread of diarrhoeal pathogens. Methods We treated 24 latrines in a Gambian village: six each with (i) pyriproxyfen, an insect juvenile hormone mimic formulated as Sumilarv® 0.5G, a 0.5% pyriproxyfen granule, (ii) expanded polystyrene beads (EPB), (iii) local soap or (iv) no treatment as controls. Flies were collected using exit traps placed over the drop holes, weekly for five weeks. In a separate study, we tested whether latrines also function as efficient flytraps using the faecal odours as attractants. We constructed six pit latrines each with a built-in flytrap and tested their catching efficiency compared to six fish-baited box traps positioned 10 m from the latrine. Focus group discussions conducted afterwards assessed the acceptability of the flytrap latrines. Results Numbers of emerging C. putoria were reduced by 96.0% (95% CIs: 94.5–97.2%) 4–5 weeks after treatment with pyriproxyfen; by 64.2% (95% CIs: 51.8–73.5%) after treatment with local soap; by 41.3% (95% CIs = 24.0–54.7%) after treatment with EPB 3–5 weeks after treatment. Flytraps placed on latrines collected C. putoria and were deemed acceptable to local communities. Conclusions Sumilarv 0.5G shows promise as a chemical control agent, whilst odour-baited latrine traps may prove a useful method of non-chemical fly control. Both methods warrant further development to reduce fly production from pit latrines. A combination of interventions may prove effective for the control of latrine flies and the diseases they transmit. +++++++++++ Documents available for download below: 1- Development of Odour-Baited Flytraps for Sampling the African Latrine Fly, Chrysomya putoria, a Putative Vector of Enteric Diseases (2012) 2- Chrysomya putoria, a Putative Vector of Diarrheal Diseases (2012)

Various documents on results from research grant

Musyoki, J.

2013

Water Services Trust Fund

This library entry contains background documents for a grant that Jacqueline Musyoki is leading and which is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Further information and a discussion is available on the SuSanA discussion forum: http://forum.susana.org/forum/categories/97-enabling-environment-and-others/4204-up-scaling-basic-sanitation-for-the-urban-poor-in-kenya-ubsup-wstf-and-giz-kenya Short description of the project: Rapid urbanization combined with a widening income gap between rich and poor and limited economic opportunities of the poorer strata in the society are the main causes of the increasing growth of the low income urban settlements including slums in Most African countries. Slum dwellers, however, face serious inadequacy in access to safe water and basic sanitation as characterized by deteriorating living conditions. Kenya is one such African country facing these challenges. The country has more than 1,800 low income areas with a total estimated population of 8 million. The lack of access to adequate basic sanitation by the poor population has had devastating infant (under five) mortality effect, insecurity especially to women at night and low dignity among other sanitation burdens. It is in this context that the WSTF jointly with GIZ are developing a concept for up-scaling sanitation in low income urban households with a focus on household and plot-level sanitation aimed at improving the living conditions of the urban poor in Kenya through enhanced access to basic sanitation and safe water. Goals The goals of this project is to improve the living conditions of the urban poor by offering access to sustainable plot level sanitation for up to 800.000 and to safe water for up to 200.000 residents of urban low income areas in Kenya, enabling these residents to practice sound hygiene. The project consists of a “technical component” (advisory services, capacity building, up-scaling concept development, monitoring and reporting system, etc.) and a “financial and up-scaling component” providing subsidies for plot level sanitation facilities. Objectives of the programme 1. The project is successful when it provides sustainable sanitation for over 800,000 people and safe water for 200,000 in the urban low income-areas in Kenya and will have achieved satisfactory performance if 600,000 are reached with sanitation and 100,000 with safe water. 2. A monitoring system for tracking access to safe water and basic sanitation facilities of urban low income area dwellers is in place and accessible to the public (i.e. an online database). 3. Sector institutions, civil society organizations and small-scale private entrepreneurs have the capacity to actively participate in the provision of basic sanitation to the urban low income areas and cooperation with research institutes results in improved sanitation options. 4. A sanitation up-scaling concept in line with the sector reforms ensures sustainable use of facilities and is used for the further development of the sub-sector.

Various documents on results from research grant.

Russel, K.

2013

Stanford University, USA

This library entry contains background documents for a grant that Kory Russel is leading and which is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Further information and a discussion is available on the SuSanA discussion forum: http://forum.susana.org/forum/categories/99-faecal-sludge-transport/4002-resource-mobile-sanitation-services-for-dense-urban-slums-stanford-university-usa Short description of the project: We aim to develop a low-cost sanitation service for the one billion (and growing) people living in urban slums. We seek to perfect the hardware and service model for this service in order to facilitate entrepreneurial franchises around the world. Our first pilot was in Shada, a community in Cap-Haitien, Haiti, in close collaboration with our friends at SOIL. We are developing a portable, low-cost household toilet and entrepreneurial service model to deliver a safe, dignified sanitation service in urban slums. We piloted a container-based system in Shada, a slum that has no sewers and no piped water supply. Our toilet is portable, with removable containers to collect and transport wastes safely from the community. Waste is being processed at SOIL's human waste composting facilities, generating fertilizer to improve Haiti's devastated soil resources. Our strategy is to enable local entrepreneurs to recover energy, nutrients, and material from the waste in order to subsidize the cost of the sanitation system, reduce user fees, earn a livelihood, improve the environment and boost agricultural productivity. Since our toilets are portable, users do not need to make a large up-front payment to use our service. They subscribe for a small monthly fee, and receive the toilet as part of the service. If they terminate the service or are evicted without the option of continuing service elsewhere, they can return the toilet at no penalty. Objectives / Activities / Key Components: 1. Design a modern, portable, affordable, and stylish container-based toilet that will appeal to urban customers who otherwise aspire to a flush toilet. 2. Develop business tools to foster the growth of sanitation service businesses around the toilets. 3. Pilot both the toilet and service in a rigorous, research based trial . 4. Integrate mobile waste tracking technology into the service to monitor performance, maximize efficiency, and minimize service costs. 5. Convert all collected waste into useful and valuable end products. 6. Produce rigorous research and business assessment tools to test and improve container-based systems ensuring that they can scale while protecting and satisfying their users.