Solution

Container-Based Sanitation Solution: Sanergy

This solution addresses the disease and contamination caused by inadequate sanitation in Kenya for families lacking proper sanitation, toilet operators

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Problem Description

Sanergy's container-based sanitation solution was created to combat a problem identified in the 6th Sustainable Development Goal: "Clean Water and Sanitation." Specifically it is looking at the sanitation component of this goal. Although some minimal sanitation infrastructure has existed before Sanergy in developing countries like Kenya, these systems haven't gone far enough to address the other major component of sanitation; that is, not just providing access to toilets, but figuring out what happens to this human waste afterwards. Sanergy and other container-based solutions use a systems thinking approach to implement a sanitation cycle that not only provides toilets, but also waste collection and treatment.

Building Blocks

Story

To date, Sanergy allows for 37,238 daily uses of 732 'Fresh Life' toilets. The waste from these toilets (8,504 metric tons) is safely removed and processed by a team of 782 professionals, nearly all of which are Kenyan, and 60% of which are from the very communities they are serving. Working with Kiva, Sanergy has helped expand financing of their toilets to the most deserving of entrepreneurs. The toilets and the system that surrounds it is always improving based off of direct feedback from users. By 2020 Sanergy aims to collect, remove, and convert 45,000 tons of waste per year, and sell 8120 tons of its waste derived natural fertilizer.

Sustainable Development Goals

On September 25th 2015, countries adopted a set of goals to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all as part of a new sustainable development agenda. Each goal has specific targets to be achieved over the next 15 years. This solution covers the following goals:

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Video


Social Progress Index

  • Water and Sanitation - Can people drink water and keep themselves clean without getting sick?

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    Resources

    Organisations Involved

    Contributed By

    • David Auerbach, Sanergy

    Solution Stage

    One of the 7 stages of an innovation. Learn more
    STAGE SPECIALIST SKILLS REQUIRED EXAMPLE ACTIVITIES RISK LEVEL AND HANDLING FINANCE REQUIRED KINDS OF EVIDENCE GENERATED GOAL
    Growing scaling and spreading6
    Strong leadership, management, implementation skills
    • Business or organisational growth
    • Franchising
    • Licensing
    • Legislation
    • Spreading ideas
    • Transferring practice
    • Fidelity assessments may be important
    • Strong capacity needed to ensure transfer of practice
    MEDIUM
    • Equity, loans, payment by results, social impact bonds
    HIGH
    Evidence derived from evaluations in multiple sites, and independently run randomised control trials
    Innovation or impact at scale

    Submitted By

    Astrid ScholzAjs headshot blue

    Key Details

    Social Progress Index
    Water and Sanitation
    Sustainable Development Goals
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    Activity