Biodigester Toilets

The eco-friendly and accessible biodigester toilets aim to end open defecation and improve poor sanitation issues in low-income urban communities.
WASHKing produces, supplies, and installs high-quality biodigester toilets using locally available materials and artisans.
Their newly developed smart toilet called Mamaakiban uses pay-as-you-go technology, combining smart door-lock, adequate toilet facility, and digital payment systems.
The technology is easy to maintain as it treats human waste on-site and does not require piping it off-site for treatment.
The provision of accessible, eco-friendly, and adequate toilets prevents environmental pollution making communities clean and the environment protected.

Adequate toilets are critical in reducing open defecation and diseases and deaths related to poor sanitation.

Key Features

WASHKing provides low-income and underserved communities with access to sanitation products at an affordable price. Its eco-friendly and accessible biodigester toilets aim to end open defecation and improve poor sanitation issues in low-income urban communities in Ghana. It produces, supplies, and installs high-quality biodigester toilets using locally available materials and artisans. Their newly developed smart toilet called Mamaakiban uses pay-as-you-go technology, combining smart door-lock, adequate toilet facility, and digital payment systems to unlock uninterrupted access to good sanitation for low income customers. The toilet technology uses an on-site toilet treatment solution made of a sub-structure known as biodigester and privy (super-structure) which can be built with different materials such as precast slabs, Ferro-cement, and blocks.

The biodigester requires as little space as 2.6 B*3ft H*5 L sq. ft. The technology is easy to maintain as it treats human waste on-site and does not require piping it off-site for treatment. The treated waste serves as manure and water for agricultural use, creating additional value for customers and for the environment. WASHKing aims to become a leading responsible and inclusive sanitation services brand in developing countries.

Social Impact

Our work directly contributes to three notable SDGs:

(1) clean water and sanitation, (2) good health and wellbeing, and (3) decent work and economic development.

Our provision of accessible, eco-friendly (e.g., no offensive odor and seepage) and adequate toilets prevents environmental pollution making communities clean and the environment protected. Adequate toilets are critical to reduce open defecation and related poor sanitation-related diseases and deaths thus helping us contribute to improved health and wellbeing of people, the environment, and communities. Healthy people can engage in productive activities and contribute meaningfully to themselves, family, and communities to break the poverty cycle. Once there is an accessible and good toilet at home and in schools, pupils will have enough time to study, and not miss study hours or school during menstrual cycles. WASHKing engages and trains disadvantaged young people (e.g., as masons, plumbers, etc.) to build and sell our toilets providing them with decent job opportunities, transferable skills, and improved economic status for them, their families, and community at large.

Future Plans

Our goals for the next five years include the following:

Setting up an effective supply chain, regional and international expansion, and developing a strong workforce and key base of customers. This includes the set-up of micro social franchisees, and TVET programs to train young people on gainful opportunities along the sanitation value chain.
Increase assets and investments (e.g., ICT and improved R&D) to support development of products/services to better sell, track, optimize, and get regular feedback to well serve BoP people.
Establish a revolving fund for co-financing the cost of constructing over 1,000 toilets annually so that no one is left behind in access to adequate toilets.
Build a strong reputation in the sanitation sector and become a dominant force in the industry.