According to the World Health Organization, over 1.7 billion people do not have basic sanitation services such as private toilets. An astounding 419 million defects in the open (in water, street gutters, of behind bushes). This can lead to food contamination, disease transmission, and high mortality from preventable diseases such as cholera and dysentery. Frequently, the only available toilets are far away from home, requre money and are unavailable at night.
Compact, affordable, waterless toilets
KOHLER Loope is a container-based solution that improves sanitation in informal settlements without proper infrastructure. The Loope toilet comes with two compartments that efficiently separate feces and urine. Developed by KOHLER’s Innovation for Good, the toilet can store up to 10 litres of urine and 10 kilograms of feces. According to actual testing, the container can accommodate a family of four with service twice weekly. The lid seals the container, preventing unpleasant smells from spreading in the surrounding area. Although small in size, the clever design allows for comfortable seating. The integrated cap storage with a drain cap allows for effortless cleaning. The affordable, lightweight containers are equipped with an integrated handle for easy transport, while their stackable qualities enable easy storage and shipping. Made from Polyethylene and Nitrile Butadiene Rubber, the toilet is 100 percent recyclable. Although composed of several parts, it comes preassembled and ready to use.
Impact and Awards
By bringing safe sanitation to overpopulated urban environments and water-deprived areas, the Loope toilets preserve the well-being and dignity of their users. Providing better access to toilets improves health, reduces mortality rates, particularly in children, and contributes to safety. Equipping schools with proper sanitation can improve school attendance, particularly for girls who tend to skip school during menstruation. Recognized by the industry for its innovative approach, the product has won Fast Company’s 2024 World Changing Ideas Award. The innovation also received an honourable mention in the Water category and was shortlisted as a finalist in the Developing World Technology category.
KOHLER Rinse, Cleanse and Unify
KOHLER’s Innovation for Good project employs water and design know-how to improve access to safe water, hygiene, and sanitation in underprivileged communities. Apart from Award-winning toilet design, the company also invented KOHLER, Unify, Rinse, and Cleanse products. KOHLER Unify powers water pumps with a combination of solar and generator power. The product switches automatically to generator power when the sunlight is low. KOHLER Rinse is a toilet innovation that can be flushed by simply pouring water into the bowl. KOHLER Cleanse is a hands-free faucet that can be used without plumbing or electricity. Simply pair it with a buchet or a hose and lift the top of the faucet with your wrist to turn the water on. Once the wrist is removed, the water will stop running, thus minimizing water usage.
Technical Specifications:
Product Dimensions: 570 x 340 x 440 mm (L x W x H)
Holding Capacity Urine Container: 10 L
Holding Capacity Feces Container: 10 L / 10 kg
Material: Polyethene, Nitrile Butadiene Rubber
Weight: 6.5 kg
Photo credit: 3blmedia /Kohler
