A Container-Based Toilet is an on-site sanitation solution, available in a variety of forms that work on the principle of containing the excreta. Faeces and urine are collected in sealable, removable containers (also sometimes called cartridges), where they are sealed and stored until they are transported to a Transfer Station C.6 or treatment facility. The portable Container-Based Toilet allows for private in-home use and easy and convenient collection and transport. Very large containers also can be installed below multiple latrines to simplify emptying S.7 .Consists of urine and faeces that are not mixed with any flushwater. Excreta is relatively small in volume, but concentrated in both nutrients and pathogens. Depending on the characteristics of the faeces and the urine content, it can have a soft or runny consistency.Refers to (semi-solid) excrement that is not mixed with urine or water. Depending on diet, each person produces approximately 50–150 L per year of faecal matter of which about 80 % is water and the remaining solid fraction is mostly composed of organic material. Of the total essential plant nutrients excreted by the human body, faeces contain around 39 % of the phosphorus (P), 26 % of the potassium (K) and 12 % of the nitrogen (N). Faeces also contain the vast majority of the pathogens excreted by the body, as well as energy and carbon rich, fibrous material.The liquid produced by the body to rid itself of nitrogen in the form of urea and other waste products. In this context, the urine product refers to pure urine that is not mixed with faeces or water. Depending on diet, human urine collected from one person during one year (approx. 300 to 550 L) contains 2 to 4 kg of nitrogen. The urine of healthy individuals is sterile when it leaves the body but is often immediately contaminated by coming into contact with faeces.Any substance that is used for growth. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are the main nutrients contained in agricultural fertilisers. N and P are also primarily responsible for the eutrophication of water bodies.
A sanitation system in which excreta and wastewater are collected and stored or treated on the plot where they are generated.
An organism or other agent that causes disease.The means of safely collecting and hygienically disposing of excreta and liquid
wastes for the protection of public health and the preservation of the quality of public water bodies and, more generally, of the environment.

The organic molecule (NH2)2CO that is excreted in urine and that contains the nutrient nitrogen. Over time, urea breaks down into carbon dioxide and ammonium, which is readily used by organisms in soil. It can also be used for on-site faecal sludge treatment. See. S.18Used water from any combination of domestic, industrial, commercial or agricultural activities, surface runoff/stormwater, and any sewer inflow/infiltration.

The Container-Based Toilet can effectively serve a community with a safe and personal sanitation facility. Unlike Chemical Toilets S.11 that are shared facilities, Container- Based Toilets are no larger than a bucket and fit within the home or tent. They come in a variety of forms from simple buckets with lids (not advisable), to buckets lined with a urea impregnated bag, e.g. the specialised biodegradable ‘peepoo bags’, to more sophisticated designs that divert urine. Distribution of the Container-Based Toilets can be done quickly and by hand.

Design Considerations

The size of the Container-Based Toilet vault must be chosen according to the anticipated number of users and the collection capacity and interval. The size of the collection container should not exceed 50–60 L to ensure easy and manual removal and transport. Containers should be fully sealable and equipped with handles to ensure safe handling, intermediate storage (if required), storage and transport. A simple cubical can be constructed within the home to increase privacy. Where squatting is preferred, a wooden box can be built to create a platform for the user over the container.

Materials

Container-Based Toilets are either prefabricated containers or can be a mixture of both prefabricated containers and a locally-made box for holding the container. The holding box and the cubicles can be made from wood, woven mats, ferro-cement or metal sheets. Toilet seats or squatting pans can be obtained or produced locally or prefabricated alternatives may be used. Some models of Container-Based Toilets require a bag-type lining, a supplier of these will need to be secured. Biodegradable bags should be favoured as they make further treatment processes like composting easier to complete.

Applicability

Container-Based Toilets can be an appropriate solution in all phases of an emergency, provided a company or other organisation is ensuring regular collection, transport and emptying. Without a management service for emptying the containers, this is not a feasible option. A key benefit of this technology is that it increases security for users by eliminating the need to leave the residence to use the toilet (for example at night) and can promote proper management of children’s excreta. Container-Based Toilets can be implemented relatively quickly and distributed by hand, if stocks are readily available. They do not need a permanent structure and the toilets can be moved if needed, making the technology more attractive in situations where people may have to move. Container-Based Toilets are particularly suitable for densely populated urban environments. In situations where a bag-based sanitation system (e.g. PeePoo bags) is in place, the transition to a more improved Container- Based Toilet design at a later phase can be easily achieved. Where a longer-term solution is sought, the urine diversion Container-Based Toilet should be considered to reduce treatment costs.

Operation and Maintenance

The division of operation and maintenance (O & M) tasks and responsibilities between users and potential service providers need to be clearly defined and considered in the planning process. Key O & M tasks include the regular emptying, cleaning and replacing of the collection containers (depending on the size of the container and the number of users), by either the user or a collector/service provider. The containers are then transported by Manual or Motorised Transport C.1 C.2 to the treatment or resource recovery centres where the contents can be safely managed. Containers require careful cleaning by trained staff in a designated cleaning area that can safely manage the hazardous cleaning water. Each Container-Based Toilet needs to be supplied with the appropriate anal cleansing material.

Health and Safety

Handwashing Facilities U.7 should be provided and handwashing with soap after using the toilet use must be addressed as part of hygiene promotion activities X.12. Service providers responsible for collecting and emptying containers are particularly at risk of contracting excreta related diseases. Close management of emptying procedures together with good personal protective equipment and bathing facilities for workers are essential for worker protection.

Costs

Container-Based Toilets are moderately expensive to implement. However, they can be implemented rapidly and once managed well can be used sustainably in the long-term. Any cost calculations, however, also need to reflect additional O & M requirements like frequent collection, transport, cleaning, storage, treatment and final disposal or reuse of the sludge.

Social Considerations

The potential introduction of Container-Based Toilets should be discussed with the target communities beforehand as the system may have behavior change implications and to match the user interface preference (sitter vs. squatter, anal cleansing practices, color etc.). Thorough training or orientation might be needed to support acceptance, ensure proper use and maintenance of the facilities and to avoid accidental misuse. This is especially important where urine diversion models are being introduced.