Human Waste as an Investment

I just came across this rather interesting item from the International Labour Organization. Sustainability taking place at all levels.

The Umande Trust, an organization sponsored by the ILO’s Cooperative Facility for Africa through its Challenge Fund, is one of the most innovative groups involved. They employ largely youth or women groups to build and operate what they call “bio centres,” public latrines that use bio-base from processed human waste to heat water for the public showers. The gas is also sold to local residents for cooking.

“We are looking now at the human waste as an investment that can produce bio-gas, and this is a clean form of energy. We are able to harness that and ensure that we are providing a dignified, clean form of sanitation services to the community,” says Paul Muchire, Communications Manager at Umande Trust. “Remember this is methane, and methane is more harmful than carbon, therefore, when you burn that methane you reduce the degree of harm it will cause to the environment.”