The most obvious way to a solution is to start at the source. Prevent disease transmission as soon as possible through rapid inactivation of pathogens directly after defecation. In high-density urban areas, a project that simply provides latrines cannot achieve sustainable toilets.
At the same time, most of those who need sanitation are poor and can least afford it. Therefore, they have no choice other than to use what is readily available. By offering a choice, developing and marketing an extremely low-cost product, innovation can create demand among the poor. Choice is also connected to dignity and status, which are of great importance in making the decision to invest in a toilet.
Most toilets are part of larger infrastructure systems, dependent on complex investments and institutional changes. Re-thinking this model calls for a soft approach that can handle rapid implementation. At the same time, all solutions must be designed to enable the growth of economically sustainable service systems for a longer timeframe.
The United Nations has declared access to sanitation a human right. Yet, it is the most neglected and off-track UN Millennium Development Goal. The UN Millennium Development Goal #7, target 10 was established in 2002 with the aim of reducing – by half – the number of people without sustainable access to drinking water and sanitation by 2015. Unfortunately, at the current rate of progress using traditional sanitation methods, this goal is far from being realised. One factor is the rapid increase in the number of people living in slums or slum-like conditions – with populations estimated to increase from nearly 715 million in 1970 to 1.4 billion by 2020. Another factor is that with 2015 approaching closer by the day, it is obvious that the approach to the problem needs to change or the goal will not be met