Using biogas technology to solve the disposal issues surrounding latrine waste
Practical Action
decreasing the emptying costs because the implementer is benefiting from the by-products
generated from the sludge, then the technology is more likely to get unified backing. This
theory of incentivising can also be applied to the emptier, making it beneficial for them to
dispose of the waste in the correct area by paying them per load. In this situation care must be
taken that loads are not bulked up with water from a surface water source in order get more
empties per day.
The final point regarding social and cultural issues is the importance of educational
programmes. Firstly, as with so many social factors, educational programmes are context
specific based on culture and current practices and therefore the implementer should deal
with issues on a case by case nature. The second point is the need for education in improving
community awareness. This is important for preventing situations where technologies are
refused due to radical changes in sanitation practices. Thirdly, the public need confidence in
the procedure to aid acceptance, so educational programs will be used to give training to the
service providers to improve processes therefore improving the experience for the customer.
Regarding the organisation of these programmes the initial step, as with any new
implementation is the organisation of a piloting scheme to see how effectively the process
works. It is at this point acceptability of the process must be achieved, with one solution being
incentivising decisions once again by making the fuel much cheaper than the alternatives, so
the community use it and see the benefits. What a piloting scheme also helps to do is create a
sense of “keeping up with the Jones’” so implementation in neighbouring communities is
easier. After analysis, if a piloting scheme is successful and the funds are available to grow
then the technology can be implemented on a larger scale. The first area of a good educational
programme is promotion at home. This not only regulates practice but also helps to install a
sense of ownership with the householder that not only helps with maintenance issues but also
helps acceptability because people will feel in control of their own practices and not dictated
to. Promotion at home will often require visits, usually conducted by “hygiene teams” whose
job it is to outline any change in practice and promote it and address any issues the household
has. As well as hygiene team visits, visual materials should be used around the community to
keep the public informed, for example directions to solid waste disposal points. As well as
hygiene and process education there is also construction education which will involve passing
down skills to local workmen so the whole process becomes more sustainable. Figure 6
outlines where education will be needed and why. The dashed outline signifies those tasks
carried out by a hygiene team and the solid outline the more technical education.
Figure 6: Need for education at each process stage
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