Sanitation is a very important basic right that involves the safe management of waste, collected from the toilet, and disposed of safely. Proper waste management, will help control diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and typhoid. These diseases, currently affect an estimated 40% of the world’s population, with the majority of them being children under the age of 5 years, and if waste is not managed properly, it leads to loss of lives.
As a result, researchers are coming up with new innovative designs, with the help of advanced forms of technology, to curb dire sanitation problems found especially in developing countries all over the world. As we understand ‘Who Really Invented the Toilet‘ let’s also take a look at some of the most notable innovative toilet designs that have been created over time.
1. The Crapper
The Crapper ( Compact, Rotating, Aerobic, Pollution-Prevention Excreta, Reducer ) is a great toilet design built by Toilets for People. This toilet is an Eco-friendly compost toilet design, that considers the fact that the human waste, will break down into compost once it is exposed to oxygen, reducing waste volumes and odor. It also has a rotatable bio-drum to allow easy and safe access when removing excess waste.
2. The Ecological Urinal
This urinal was created by Design without Borders. The adaptable funnel connects to Jerry cans which collect urine, the urine is stored and later on turned into quality fertilizer.
3. Health Toilet
This is the creation of the Daiwa house. It measures blood sugar levels using a system built in the armrests, while one is using the toilet. This amazing toilet also weighs the person before and after and after using the toilet and then submits the data to you for medical referencing.
4. The Janicki Bio-Energy Toilet
This toilet converts sewer sludge into clean water. It also processes the waste into electrical power, and fertilizer which in turn helps in increasing sanitation and also in reducing global warming.
5. The Toronto Toilet
This toilet was designed by the University of Toronto. It has a UV -ray disinfecting chamber which processes liquid waste and a smolder chamber, to incinerate solid waste. It is easily repairable and can be managed with limited resources and training.
6. The Cal-tech Solar Toilet
This self-cleaning solar design was created by researchers at Cal Tech . The Solar-powered toilet recycles water, and breaks down solid waste creating reusable energy, fertilizer and hydrogen which powers the reactor during bad weather. The treated water can be used for irrigation and landscaping, watering flowers and so on. Mobile solar-powered toilets are very much in use in developing countries.
7. The Diversion Toilet Design
This design was created by Eawag Aquatic Institute working together with EOOS Design Studio. It collects and then separates urine and solid waste for further treatment. At the same time, it will recycle used water. It can function without water or a sewer connection. When waste has been separated, it is then transported to a recovery plant to be converted into high quality fertilizer or biogas.
8. The Sabine Schober Toilet
This design uses the Terra Preta Sanitation technology. Here, urine and solid waste are treated by mixing it with charcoal to produce very fertile soils that can be used for planting trees and other crops. You have the option to sit if you want while using this toilet, or squat. Sanitary ceramic components and a plastic container collect the urine and solid waste.
9. The Loowatt design Toilet
This toilet was designed by Virginia Gardiner. It uses a waterless system transforming waste matter into biofuel. It comprises of 90% horse dung and biodegradable lining that is used to safely store waste matter. Once the toilet is full, the user takes the waste to an outdoor biodigester, which then generates a free source of fuel for cooking.
10. The Loughborough University Toilet
This toilet converts human waste into carbonized material. The material provides heat, and minerals for the soil. The treated water, on the other hand, can be used for flushing among other things. Using thermal hydro carbonization, all pathogens are destroyed and the end product is safe for handling.
