World Toilet Day

Every year on November 19th, the world marks World Toilet Day to raise awareness about the global sanitation crisis. This day highlights the crucial role that proper sanitary solutions play in protecting human health and the environment. The article explains the reasons behind the UN's involvement, the urgent need for sanitation, the dangers of inadequate waste management, how Separett contributes, and facts about toilets and human waste you probably didn't know.

Why is World Toilet Day important?

As part of its broader commitment to global health and environmental protection, the UN marks this day and strives to increase political and social awareness of sanitation issues affecting millions of people worldwide. For the UN, access to safe and sustainable sanitation is not just a public health priority but also a human right that strengthens other social and economic development goals. For us in Sweden, sanitation and clean water may seem like a given, but in many other countries, they are considered a luxury.

It is entirely understandable that all human waste must go somewhere to prevent bacteria and parasites from spreading to human surroundings and water sources. In fact, the spread of bacteria and parasites in drinking water causes the death of 800 children each year. Hospitals lacking sanitary solutions also contribute to an increased risk of bacterial spread and infections. Toilets, clean water, and good hygiene form a strong defense against ongoing and future disease outbreaks.

The sanitation crisis and its significance for health and safety

The sanitation crisis highlights the lack of access to safe and hygienic toilet facilities, a reality for over a third of the world's population. Having access to a toilet is crucial for an individual's health and safety, as the lack of this basic facility can lead to serious health problems such as diarrheal diseases, cholera, and other waterborne illnesses. For women and girls, access to safe toilets also means increased protection against violence and sexual assault.

The consequences of inadequate waste management

Did you know that one gram of human waste (pee and poop) contains a million bacteria? When feces and human waste are freely dispersed, they can contaminate waterways and other water sources, creating a health risk for the entire community. Inadequate waste management also contributes to environmental degradation and can destroy the natural ecosystem. These environmental effects, in turn, exacerbate global poverty and hinder economic development..

Sustainable waste management

Sustainable sanitation systems use waste to safely boost agriculture, as well as to reduce emissions to generate greener energy. Flooding, drought, and rising sea levels threaten sanitation systems, everyone must have access to sustainable sanitation solutions that withstand climate changes and keep communities healthy and functioning.

Separett’s global effort

Separett AB actively works to contribute to the UN's sustainable development goals, particularly goal number six which aims to ensure access to water and sanitation for all. By providing innovative sanitation solutions such as combustion and urine-separating toilets, Separett helps to reduce environmental impact and improve sanitary conditions in areas without traditional infrastructure.

Read more about Separett’s sustainability work towards sanitation here!

Toilet facts – did you know that …

1. A person poops about 6 tons of poop in their lifetime, as much as 5 rhinos’ weigh 

2. An estimated person spends 92 days on the toilet over their lifetime

3. One gram of human waste (pee and poop) contains a million bacteria

4. Astronauts on the International Space Station use a specially built toilet that can convert urine into drinking water

5. In many parts of the world, human waste is converted into biogas that can be used for heating and cooking

6. A flush toilet uses about 35 liters of clean water per person per day

By emphasizing the importance of toilets and raising awareness through World Toilet Day, several global actors take an important step towards addressing the sanitation crisis, promoting a healthier, more sustainable, and fairer world.