Updated on August 16, 2024

·

Created on September 10, 2021

EcoSwell Dry Composting Toilet

Ecoswell’s dry waterless composting toilet is designed to convert waste into compost and fertilizer.

Developed By
  1. EcoSwell
Tested By
  • EcoSwell
  • Engineers Without Borders South Africa
  • Engineers Without Borders UK
  • Engineers Without Borders USA
Content Partners
Unknown

Author

Product Description

EcoSwell’s dry waterless composting toilet is designed to convert waste into compost that can be used as a fertilizer for local crops.

Waste is collected in alternating plastic containers which allows for the waste to decompose into compost over time. This product is currently under development and is in the prototyping phase.

Target SDGs

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household, Community

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

EcoSwell

Manufacturing/Building Method

Unknown

Intellectural Property Type

Select Type

User Provision Model

This product is distributed in partnership with Engineers Without Borders.

Distributions to Date Status

Unknown

Toilet type

Toilet

Evacuation method

Dry

Storage conditions

Container storage

Capacity (L)

7000 L

Time until emptying

1 year

Design Specifications

The design was inspired by the double vault Mexican design, but includes a urinal to limit urine entering the collection vault. It uses two separate toilets or can incorporate a mechanism for changing vaults with the use of one toilet. Either way, the waste is collected in alternating plastic containers which allows for the waste to decompose into compost over time. The toilets are designed to allow for upwards airflow that circulates unpleasant odors away from the user.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

Provided by the manufacturer

Replacement Components

Unknown

Lifecycle

Unknown

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

The implementation of the dry toilets aims to be a sustainable sanitation solution to reduce sewage spillages, open defecation, and water consumption while providing compost to improve low-nutrient soil.

Vetted Performance Status

EcoSwell and Engineers Without Borders UK conducted a feasibility study of dry sanitation solutions in Lobitos, Peru. The study addressed three key issues in which the dry toilet can assist in reducing: sewage spills, open defecation, and water consumption. Additionally, the study deemed the compost produced would be ideal in adding nutrients to the local sandy soils in need of supplements. A barrier to implementation would be educating the community about dry sanitation and switching users away from current flush toilets. A design brief reported findings from EcoSwell’s pilot project reporting that the dry toilet is capable of saving 15,000 L of water and producing 2,000 L of compost per year. Overall, the two-year pilot project was successful, with the largest issue reported being the number of flies.

Safety

Possible hazards include unsanitary latrine emptying or structural failure.

Complementary Technical Systems

Maintenance and collection services.

Academic Research and References

EcoSwell, 2015, Sanitation in Lobitos: Study of the feasibility of Dry Sanitation Solutions.

Engineers Without Borders South Africa, UK and USA & EcoSwell, 2020, Engineering for People Design Challenge: Design Brief 2020-21.

The following sources were used to help inform the toilet design:

Winblad, U., & Kilama, W., 1985, Sanitation Without Water, Enlarged Ed edition, Macmillan Education.

WaterAid, 2011, Construction of ecological sanitation latrine.

Compliance with regulations

None

Evaluation methods

This product is evaluated by EcoSwell and Engineers Without Borders based on the amount of water saved and compost produced.

Other Information

None

Leave a Reply

Explore similar solutions

Agriculture

January 2, 2024

The TFP Composting Toilet

Read Solution

Implemented by

Toilets for People

Agriculture

August 13, 2024

Sun-Mar Excel NE Composting Toilet

Read Solution

Implemented by

Sun-Mar

Agriculture

December 18, 2023

Clivus Multrum composting toilet systems

Read Solution

Implemented by

Clivus Multrum

Agriculture

December 19, 2023

Ecodry Urine-Diverting Dry Toilet

Read Solution

Implemented by

Wostman

Agriculture

December 20, 2023

Laveo Dry Flush Toilet

Read Solution

Implemented by

Dry Flush

Agriculture

August 13, 2024

Dry-San Hygienic Rural Toilet

Read Solution

Implemented by

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay

Agriculture

January 17, 2024

Sanitario Seco Solar (Solar Dry Toilet)

Read Solution

Implemented by

Centro de Desarrollo del Habitat y el Medio Ambiente (CEDES/Habitat)

Agriculture

January 19, 2024

Clean Team Toilet and Clean Team Toilet Waste Management Service

Read Solution

Implemented by

Clean Team Ghana

Agriculture

January 17, 2024

NADEP Composting

Read Solution

Implemented by

Narayan Deotao Pandharipande

Agriculture

January 11, 2024

Rotary Drum Composting

Read Solution
All Solutions

Contribute to E4C's Library of Breakthrough Sustainable Development Technology Solutions

Suggest A Solution

Get more information about Solutions Library and its features.

Learn More

Have thoughts on how we can improve?

Give Us Feedback

Join a global community of changemakers.

Become A Member