Bill Gates gives a crap

http://www.designtaxi.com/news/35199/Bill-Gates-Wants-to-Rethink-the-Humble-Toilet/?page=1

"Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is ponying up US$42 million in grants to be awarded to university teams who can develop a better flushing porcelain pot. These pots have to be able to capture and store waste hygienically as well as be able to process waste into energy or fertilizer—all for the operational cost of US$0.05 per user, per day.

About 1.5 million children die each year from diarrheal disease, and most of these deaths could have been prevented with the introduction of proper sanitation, according to the Foundation. But more than 40% of the world’s population do not have access to this safe sanitation.

“No innovation in the past 200 years has done more to save lives and improve health than the sanitation revolution triggered by the invention of the toilet,” Sylvia Burwell, president of the Foundation’s global development program, said.

“But it did not go far enough. It only reached one-third of the world. What we need are new approaches. New ideas. In short, we need to reinvent the toilet.”"

Burra Maluca wrote:
"[i]Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is ponying up US$42 million in grants to be awarded to university teams who can develop a better flushing porcelain pot. These pots have to be able to capture and store waste hygienically as well as be able to process waste into energy or fertilizer—all for the operational cost of US$0.05 per user, per day.

About 1.5 million children die each year from diarrheal disease, and most of these deaths could have been prevented with the introduction of proper sanitation, according to the Foundation. But more than 40% of the world’s population do not have access to this safe sanitation.

“No innovation in the past 200 years has done more to save lives and improve health than the sanitation revolution triggered by the invention of the toilet,” Sylvia Burwell, president of the Foundation’s global development program, said.

Actually, boiling water and washing hands with soap has done more, IMO. From hereon, Mr. Gates shall be known as His Royal Bogginess.

What's wrong with Bill? He's giving toilettes to people who don't have any, not only that but it could produce electricity and decrease the mortality rate. So what if he's insainly rich? He didn't steal the money, he earned it by selling a product that people want. He gives hundreds of millions of dollars to charity every year. It's not like he's going to Africa and saying "wear blue jeans and drink coke or I'll shoot you" he's giving things to these people who despratly need it and it's free. What would you rather him do with all his money? Put it in a bank and never touch it? Drop it all from airplanes on to the streets? Or should he be able to do what he wishes with the money he earned? Sure charity is good, but like all things to much is bad. As the old saying goes "give a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach a man to fish and eats every day".

Well, I can't say I admire bg, and know much less than you guys.  BUT if he wants to put his $ into sanitary 'toilets', he might consider black soldier flies (aka 'grub composting') - the lid on this unit could easily accommodate a toilet seat ;)

http://thebiopod.com/pages/biopod-plus.html

The 'history' at this site is interesting, also.  And the 'blacksoldierflyblog' site has instructions for a cheap and efficient homemade unit based on a 5 gal bucket.

I think a urine diversion modification might be needed for third world use - or maybe not.  At $190 retail, Bill might be able to get a real deal volume pricing.

I know it's plastic, but could be recycled plastic, and is very durable.  A slick, quick closed loop - we eat the livestock and the livestock eats our waste - the friable grub residue makes great worm food ;)

Now, somebody needs to tell Bill ;)

Typical of people that throw money at problems, BG doesn't understand the problem. Amazing considering all the experts his misbegotten gains can afford. Then again, if his experts were worth anything, Windows would not be Windows it would be something worth using.

The problem isn't the toilet, and one that generates fuel and gives back grey water isn't going to fix the problem.

What is going to fix the problem is a better understanding of sanitation, as anyone who has taken a Public Health 101 course can tell you. From the CDC: Most diarrheal diseases are spread by person-to-person contact or by fecal-oral routes, many times by way of contaminated hands. Handwashing can stop the spread of many diarrheal disease-causing germs, such as typhoid and cholera, by removing bacteria, parasites, and viruses from the hands. Handwashing is integral to disease prevention in all parts of the world; however, access to soap and water is limited in a number of less developed countries.

In most poor countries people are cleaning their backsides with water. It's cheap, you have to buy paper and water actually does a better job. Of course then you have to get your fingers back there to wash around. Problem is, afterwards there is no nice soap and basin to wash hands at. The "germ" stays on hands, goes back into mouths or onto food or onto someone else. What is really needed is a better way to wash hands. Also, most flushing toilets spray water out of the bowl onto floors and walls. That spreads disease too.

I dont wont to be seen as sticking up for billy too much, as a long time mac user :p. But that article does say that he is just putting up money for whoever comes up with the best, most efficient way to turn "waste into energy or fertilizer".

It mite turn out that someone working on a BSF toilet, or something like this http://youtu.be/k86rzVGqfEg mite get a bunch of this money. Just saying, you never know.

Anyone know what the winning design was?

California institute of Technology according to the Bill Gates Foundation web site.

Therewas a second round of designs the Cranfield University won.

Maybe it is this one: