The Peepoo is a single use, self-sanitizing, hygienic, biodegradable human waste container (i.e. toilet) that can be even used as fertilizer after use. A smart, affordable innovation that can revolutionize sanitary waste management needs amongst millions of homeless, ill-housed or disaster affected venues.
The Problem?
In the world today, more than 2.6 billion people have no access to basic sanitation. That means that 40 out of every 100 people lack even the most simple latrine to perform their needs. The lack of toilets affects both society and the individual through the contamination of fresh water and ground water. Human feces contain viruses, bacteria, worms and parasites which kill and infect people. As a matter of fact, one child in the world dies every 15 seconds due to contaminated water.
The Solution:
The Peepoo is in the form of a slim elongated bag measuring 14 x 38 centimeters. Within the bag there is a thin gauze layer measuring 26 x 24 cm. The gauze is coated with a thin film of urea, the most common fertilizer in the world and a non-hazardous chemical. As the urea is broken down, the pH value of the material increases and hygienization begins.
The Peepoo is designed to be used once, sitting, squatting or standing. If one uses the bag by holding it with only the hand, the thin gauze prevents all contact with the excrement. It doesn't need any supporting structure, but, for convenience, a cut PET-bottle or a bucket in which to place the bag, can help:
Easy To Use, Easy To Handle
The Peepoo is a toilet which is not fixed to a particular place. It is simple to carry since it is small and weighs less than 10 grams. The only thing one needs to do is find a secluded spot where one can use it as a toilet.
Peepoos are odor free for at least 24 hours after use and can thus be stored in the immediate environment. It is one of few sanitation solutions which require no water. The only water required is to wash the hands after use. The Peepoos cuts the traditional link between water and sanitation. A used Peepoo bag is clean to handle. It has become a waste product that neither smells nor is dirty to take care of and collect.
Without sacrificing ergonomic function, the bag’s design is adapted in every way so that it might be manufactured at as low a price as possible and sold to groups with the weakest purchasing power in the world.
Use As Fertilizer
Two to four weeks after use, the treated feces constitute a high value fertilizer with a considerable market value. The fertilizer will mainly be a nitrogen fertilizer due to the added urea for sanitation. Other nutrients are also available for the plants and thereby improve the soil fertility. Additionally, the organic matter in the feces will improve the soil’s structure, buffering capacity, and water holding capacity which, in the long term, will improve the potential harvest from the fields.
Since fertilizers are an expensive and scarce commodity in developing countries, it is possible for simple economic systems to develop informally through the collection and distribution of used Peepoos. Consequently, the used bags represent a local resource instead of a contaminant.
The Materials
The Peepoo is made of a high performance degradable bioplastic which meets EU standard EN13432. The plastic not only disintegrates but the molecules are also broken down into carbon dioxide, water and bio-mass. 45% of the plastic is produced using renewable materials. Peepoople intends, within the near future, to find a solution which is 100% renewable. The bioplastic comprises a mixture of aromatic co-polyesters and polylactone acid (PLA), with small additives of wax and lime. PHB represents alternative bioplastics.
How It Began
The Peepoo project was initiated by Anders Wilhelmson in September 2005. During the spring of 2006, a group comprised of researchers and other interested persons was formed and the company, based in Stockholm, Sweden was founded. Initial tests and development of a prototypical Peepoo toilet were completed later that year, followed by the formation of Peepoople AB in December. Following positive test results, a Swedish patent was initially assigned in March 2007 and granted in December and a world patent PCT was assigned in March 2008. In October 2009, Karin Ruiz was brought on board as CEO and now, the Peepoo toilet is scheduled to be available for delivery in the third trimester of 2010.
About Peepoople
Peepoople AB was created to develop, produce and distribute the Peepoo (pat.pend) sanitation solution. The mission of Peepoople is to provide universal access to dignified and hygienic sanitation. Research has been conducted in co-operation with the Swedish University of Agricultural Science (SLU) and the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH).
You can learn more at Peepoople.com
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