Low-cost technology options for sanitation: State of the literature

Organic Waste Recycling

“…With the current energy crisis and since one of the greatest assets in tropical areas -where most developing countries are located -is the production of natural resources, the concept of waste recycling rather than simply waste treatment has received wide attention. A combination of waste treatment and recycling such as through biogas (methane) production, composting, or aquaculture, besides increasing energy or food production, will, if carried out properly, reduce pollution and disease transfer (Rybczynski et al 1978). Waste recycling also brings about a financial return on the biogas, compost, and algae or fish which may be an incentive for the local people to be interested in the collection and handling of wastes in a sanitary manner.…”

“…These types of composting toilets, often referred to as the 'multrum', were originally invented by Lindstrom and put into commercial production about 20 years ago (Rybczynski et al 1978). The multrum (Figure 3.7) consists of a water-tight container with a sloping bottom.…”

“…To avoid the occurrence of obnoxious odor, ventilated improved pit (VIP) latrines were developed (Figure 3.9) which have yielded encouraging results in many places such as Zimbabwe (Morgan and Mara 1982) and Botswana (Nostrand and Wilson 1983). (Rybczynski et al 1978; reproduced by permission of the International Development Research Centre, Canada)…”

“…During this time, another tank is used for defecation, and the cycle is repeated. The anaerobically composted products were reported to be rich in nutrients and hygienically safe for reuse as fertilizers (McMichael 1976 Figure 3.10 The Vietnamese composting toilet (Rybczynski et al 1978; reproduced by permission of the International Development Research Centre, Canada)…”

Human Waste Recycling Under Tropical Conditions

“…The application of composted nightsoil as feed to fish ponds would be more sanitary than the direct application of untreated nightsoil as has been the practice in several parts of Asia (Rybczynski et al 1978). This has resulted in the abandoned uses off the compost and/or, in many cases, the dosing down of composting plants.…”