Marking World Toilet Day in London and Barcelona

We were delighted to receive two invitations to talk about the toilet at World Toilet Day events.

Firstly, WSUP hosted a showcase of sanitation research as part of their My Toilet  exhibition.   Jake Larsson gave a short talk about the Nano Membrane Toilet, alongside other Cranfield researchers:

• Elise Cartmell presented the Transforming Waste consortium's work on anaerobic digestion  and nutrient recovery from pit latrine sludge in Zambia.
• Ben Martin introduced the trials we are doing on different technologies to treate the Clean Team waste in Ghana.
• Ruben Sakrabani talked about our research on the efficacy of Loowatt's human waste derived fertilizer in Madagascar.
• Peter Cruddas explained what waste streams would be appropriate for co-pyrolysis of pit latrine sludge.

Cranfield's technical research was balance by presentations from WSUP on their research into topics such as health impacts and mobilising municipality finance for sanitation.   Overall it was a fantastic event that really demonstrated the breadth and importance of sanitation research, and we were honoured that the Nano Membrane Toilet was a part of it.

 Jake Larsson takes the stage at WSUP's My Toilet exhibition

 Secondly, Ross Tierney was invited out to join a panel of experts at the World Toilet Day and Improving Sanitation event hosted at the Roca Gallery Barcelona. The other speakers alongside Ross included Xavier Torras, Corporate Brand and Communication Director at Roca; Jordi Corral, Innovation Lab Project Manager from Roca; Mark Frantz, Fundraising Manager from Unicef; Martin Azua a designer and architect interested with particular interest in toilets and bathrooms.  The topic of conversation on the night revolved around providing access to sanitary solutions for the most vulnerable people with particular focus on equality and dignity for women and children, a theme we are certainly exploring with the Nano Membrane Toilet.

 

 Ross Tierney joins the panel at the Roca Gallery

Highly Commended at the Green Gown Awards

We were delighted to be Highly Commended in the Research and Development category at the 2014 EAUC Green Gown Awards.   Alison and Ross attended the awards ceremony at Manchester University and were treated to a delicious organic dinner before being presented the award by TV personality Simon Reeve and a representative from category sponsors, ARMA.

 Alison and Ross with the Simon Reeve and a representative of ARMA.

The judges said, "This is a strong project that has the potential to provide sanitation to people who do not currently have a toilet - 2 billion people around the world."   Our Vice Chancellor, Professor Sir Peter Gregson added, "The Nano Membrane Toilet project exemplifies the innovative, transformational and multidisciplinary research for which Cranfield is renowned. Winning this Award enhances awareness of Cranfield’s international research capabilities in water and sanitation, and provides much-deserved recognition for the hard work and dedication of all the project team."

The winners' brochure containing details of all the prizewinners can be downloaded here.