EXPLORING DIFFERENT TYPES OF TOILET DESIGNS THAT SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE WASH GOALS
If you’re diving into the world of exploring different types of toilets that are sustainable, you’ve undoubtedly heard of many different terms for these types of toilets such as waterless toilets, Composting toilets, and Dry toilets.
DRY TOILETS
The Dry Toilet is a small toilet that uses no water and no chemicals. Ever imagined with a dry toilet you can really save 6 to 9 liters per flush, 45 liters per day, that is approximately 15,000 liters of drinking water, per person, per year!!
Human waste is collected in a container and dried out through the process of composting. This process transforms the waste into a stable, odor-free material that can be safely used as fertilizer. They also reduce the amount of waste that ends up in sewage treatment plants and landfills, which can help to conserve resources and reduce environmental impact making them a more sustainable and eco-friendly option.
COMPOSTING TOILETS
A compost toilet also uses no water and no chemicals. Composting toilets may use a small amount of water to aid in the composting process. Composting toilets typically have separate compartments for urine and feces.
Human waste is mixed with composting material, such as sawdust or peat moss, to aid in the breakdown process. These also require proper ventilation to help maintain the composting process and reduce odor.
ZERO WASTE — WATERLESS TOILETS — CASE STUDY
In the Trichy district, by the banks of the river, Kaveri lies the small town of Musiri. Water is abundant there. Agriculture is the key development. EcoSan toilets are built that suit their environment without damaging the crops from sewage. All the structure is above the ground without sewage systems. The urine, excreta, and cleansing water go into separate sections. Urine is filtered and used as the organic replacement for urea. Excreta goes into the chamber at the bottom. After 6–7 months, the chamber is open and the manure is taken out and used for farming.
After using this organic manure, the yield increased. Open defecation stopped when people realized human waste holds value. Today, Musiri is declared an Open Defecation Free Panchayat Town.
