Toilet tech fair: Evolving concepts

Updated - March 24, 2014 at 04:55 PM.

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An exhibitor showing the prototype of Blue Diversion toilet. ▲
Innovative designs: While one model collapsed neatly for easy portability another emptied into pits populated by waste-munching cockroaches and worms. ▲
The primary goal of the fair is: to sanitise waste, use minimal water or electricity, and produce a usable product at low cost. ▲
Shanti Joseph of Eram Scientific, Kerala, showing off the company's eToilet model. Eram's solution is a coin-operated model with an electronic system that triggers an automated, self-cleaning mechanism. ▲
Shanti Joseph of Eram Scientific, Kerala, with the company's e-toilet model. ▲
A few prototypes on display. Some of the featured toilets included those which were not connected to water, sewerage lines or electricity as well as designs which are meant to improve the collection, treatment and disposal of human waste. ▲
The designs are mostly funded by Gates Foundation grants and in various stages of development, though others not created as part of the Gates challenge too were on display. ▲
The Department of Biotechnology and the Gates Foundation have invested a combined USD 2 million, equally split, to support Indian innovators to drive research, development, and production of next-generation toilets. ▲
Aerosan outdoor dry toilet: A low-cost enhanced passive ventilation toilet system. ▲
Exhibitor explains how the solar-biochar system converts human waste into biochar. ▲
According to the data available, 2.5 billion people in the world do not have access to proper toilets. ▲

Researchers from India and across the world came together on March 22, 2014, in New Delhi to showcase new generation toilets that are safe, pocket-friendly and clean.

The fair, Reinvent the Toilet Challenge: India, aims to foster discussions and partnerships on improving global sanitation and offer affordable solutions.

Over 45 exhibitors from 15 nations participated in the fair, jointly organised by the Department of Biotechnology and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, with the support of the Ministry of Urban Development.

The programme is an India-specific one modelled on the Foundation’s global ‘Reinvent the Toilet Challenge’

All photos by Kamal Narang

Published on May 3, 2024 11:03