Here is a sanitation technology that needs to be looked at closely and, if possible, replicated in the rural scenario. Right now a pilot initiative in Delhi’s Sonia Vihar, Mandawali, it is an experiment by SEEDS (Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society), a not-for profit organisation, as part of the Delhi Urban Resilience programme with support from UNICEF. Under the project, the first foot-operated toilet has been installed. All its doors, taps and flushes work through a foot-operated system, which means there is minimum use of hands and also less exposure to viruses and infections which are easily picked up in public toilets.

SEEDS says that it conceptualised such a toilet as women of the community showed great reluctance in using the toilet due to its poor hygiene conditions. So, when the team learned this through consultation meetings with several social groups, it decided to try out a new toilet formula. It also points out that, according to the Novus International Journal of Biotechnology & Bioscience , door handles and water taps are the most contaminated objects in a washroom.The new toilet uses other design elements as well, including natural access to sunlight, cross-ventilation and the use of solar electricity during the night.

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