Updated on December 20, 2023

·

Created on September 30, 2018

Loowatt Toilet

Upcoming Update

The Loowatt toilet is a dry-toilet that seals waste into a biodegradable film for transport and further processing, creating either energy or fertilizer.

Developed By
  1. Loowatt
Tested By
  • Loowatt
Content Partners
Unknown

Author

Product Description

Loowatt toilets are versatile waterless-flush sanitation systems that seal waste into a portable cartridge using biodegradable film. The cartridges prevent odors and enable periodic emptying by a team of waste-collectors.  Once waste is collected it is processed anaerobically to produce biogas, electricity and fertilizer. Overall this system is obtained with an initial monetary deposit and maintained with a monthly fee for emptying and replacement of the biodegradable film.

There are both permanent and temporary installation options. The Home toilet is equipped with a manual flush. The Zen toilet is portable and equipped with an electric flush and a remote monitoring system that signals capacity alerts for the collection services.

In Madagascar each toilet requires a 16 USD deposit for use rather than purchase; the technology remains owned by Loowatt. In addition, a service fee of approximately 4 USD is charged each month for maintenance and materials.

Target SDGs

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

Market Suggested Retail Price

$20.00

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household, Community

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Loowatt Ltd

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include Laveo Dry Flush Toilet.

Manufacturing/Building Method

Toilets are constructed locally using available materials and are integrated with imported Loowatt waste-sealing units.

Intellectural Property Type

Patent

User Provision Model

In partnership with local governments and organizations, Loowatt provides waterless toilets to households and communities in Madagascar, the Philippines, and the UK.

Distributions to Date Status

By January 2021, over 1,000 toilets have been distributed.

Toilet type

Container-based service

Evacuation method

Dry

Storage conditions

Container storage

Capacity (L)

64 L storage, during operation should not exceed 25 L

Time until emptying

Emptying by staff as-needed

Design Specifications

The toilet was designed to provide sanitary toilets where water is not accessible for flushing. Loowatt utilizes a biodegradable film to seal waste. This prevents odors and improves safety by eliminating user contact with the waste. Refills & maintenance: There are two alert mechanisms to indicate the container needs to be replaced: the Loowatt app or color-coded polymer film. Loowatt employs a closed-loop process to transform human waste into biogas for electricity and fertilizer for crops. The waste is collected by a service team and transported to a waste processing facility. The film is separated from the waste so that the waste can be treated using anaerobic digesters to produce the biogas and fertilizer products.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

The toilets are serviced and emptied periodically by trained staff.

Replacement Components

The loowatt toilets require a monthly fee paid by users which covers the cost of repairs and components of the toilet mechanism that need replacing.

Lifecycle

Over 10 yearsInterview with designer

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

Loowatt's target goals are to provide household and community sanitation services that are locally managed and then to scale production to ultimately meet the sanitation needs of growing urban communities. Loowatt aims to serve over 1 million people in under-served communities by 2022, in addition to over 5 million people annually throughout the EU.

Vetted Performance Status

As of 2021, over 252,000 people have used Loowatt toilets, 745 tons of waste has been processed, and 56 MWh of energy has been generated.

Safety

The Loowatt systems were designed to ensure that users did not have contact with the waste deposited into toilets. One safety factor that is still being considered is the transfer of waste from the toilet-containers to transportation services, which can result in sewage being spilled into yards.

Complementary Technical Systems

The toilets are integrated with a waste-processing facility built in Madagascar's capital, which processes the waste collected from each of the company's leased-toilets every six months.

Academic Research and References

Siegel, R.P., 2015, Energy otherwise flushed away: a waterless toilet can provide the feedstock for a biogas digester, Mechanical Engineering-CIME 137(9): 1-10.

Ulrich, L., Salian, P., Saul, C., Jüstrich, S., Lüthi, C., 2016, Assessing the Costs of on-Site Sanitation Facilities, Eawag Aquatic Research.

Larsson, E., Nilsson, M., Towards sustainable sanitation in slum areas: A field study in Mumbai, Linkopings University.

Zeldovich, L., 2017, Behold the daring, water-free future of the modern toilet. Tech & Innovation, Quartz. 

CORDIS – EU, 2016, European Expansion for Circular Economy Off-Grid Toilets. Available: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/728177 

Goal 6. Available: https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal6 

Compliance with regulations

NoneInterview with designer

Evaluation methods

The toilets are evaluated by users for functionality and appropriateness, and feedback is given to the design team.Interview with designer

Other Information

Loowatt toilets were used by staff at the 2018 royal wedding. Additional schematic information can be found in Eawag’s Assessing the Costs of on-Site Sanitation Facilities study report. Patent protected  

Leave a Reply

Explore similar solutions

Agriculture

January 19, 2024

Clean Team Toilet and Clean Team Toilet Waste Management Service

Read Solution

Implemented by

Clean Team Ghana

Agriculture

January 22, 2024

Blue Box Toilet and Sanivation Container-Based Sanitation (CBS) Waste Collection Service

Read Solution

Implemented by

Sanivation

Agriculture

December 20, 2023

EkoLakay toilet

Read Solution

Implemented by

SOIL Haiti

Agriculture

January 2, 2024

The TFP Composting Toilet

Read Solution

Implemented by

Toilets for People

Agriculture

December 20, 2023

Laveo Dry Flush Toilet

Read Solution

Implemented by

Dry Flush

Agriculture

January 2, 2024

Toilet Integration Bus

Read Solution

Implemented by

3s India

Agriculture

December 18, 2023

Aquatron Eco Toilet System

Read Solution

Implemented by

Aquatron

Agriculture

January 3, 2024

Dry-San Hygienic Rural Toilet

Read Solution

Implemented by

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay

Agriculture

January 6, 2024

Namma Toilet

Read Solution

Implemented by

Centroid Design

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