the title of my talk today is transforming wastes into resources and
transforming wastes into resources and
transforming wastes into resources and Haiti and I know that when everyone
Haiti and I know that when everyone
Haiti and I know that when everyone hears Haiti the first thing to jump to
hears Haiti the first thing to jump to
hears Haiti the first thing to jump to mind is the earthquake of last year and
mind is the earthquake of last year and
mind is the earthquake of last year and I am going to speak about the earthquake
I am going to speak about the earthquake
I am going to speak about the earthquake but before I get to that I want to take
but before I get to that I want to take
but before I get to that I want to take us a little farther back in Haitian
us a little farther back in Haitian
us a little farther back in Haitian history and talk about how it is that a
history and talk about how it is that a
history and talk about how it is that a country that once produced two-thirds of
country that once produced two-thirds of
country that once produced two-thirds of Europe’s tropical produce in the late
Europe’s tropical produce in the late
Europe’s tropical produce in the late 1700s went from an incredibly rich
1700s went from an incredibly rich
1700s went from an incredibly rich agricultural country to a place where
agricultural country to a place where
agricultural country to a place where 67% of children are malnourished to a
67% of children are malnourished to a
67% of children are malnourished to a country where today 54% of food is
country where today 54% of food is
country where today 54% of food is imported agricultural production has
imported agricultural production has
imported agricultural production has dropped 20% in the last decade so these
dropped 20% in the last decade so these
dropped 20% in the last decade so these are some pretty shocking statistics and
are some pretty shocking statistics and
are some pretty shocking statistics and in 15 minutes I’m only going to be able
in 15 minutes I’m only going to be able
in 15 minutes I’m only going to be able to graze the surface but I want to start
to graze the surface but I want to start
to graze the surface but I want to start out by talking about something that I
out by talking about something that I
out by talking about something that I always start my talks with because I
always start my talks with because I
always start my talks with because I feel like it’s very rarely mentioned and
feel like it’s very rarely mentioned and
feel like it’s very rarely mentioned and it’s a very important historical factor
it’s a very important historical factor
it’s a very important historical factor in understanding how it is the Haiti has
in understanding how it is the Haiti has
in understanding how it is the Haiti has come to be this way today one of the
come to be this way today one of the
come to be this way today one of the things that you hear a lot about Haiti
things that you hear a lot about Haiti
things that you hear a lot about Haiti is about the tremendous environmental
is about the tremendous environmental
is about the tremendous environmental destruction and this is absolutely true
destruction and this is absolutely true
destruction and this is absolutely true and in fact only 3.8 percent of Haiti’s
and in fact only 3.8 percent of Haiti’s
and in fact only 3.8 percent of Haiti’s once very lush forests now remain intact
once very lush forests now remain intact
once very lush forests now remain intact and when we talk about this we often
and when we talk about this we often
and when we talk about this we often talk about deforestation due to charcoal
talk about deforestation due to charcoal
talk about deforestation due to charcoal production for cooking stoves and this
production for cooking stoves and this
production for cooking stoves and this is absolutely one of the modern-day
is absolutely one of the modern-day
is absolutely one of the modern-day factors contributing to deforestation
factors contributing to deforestation
factors contributing to deforestation but something that is very rarely
but something that is very rarely
but something that is very rarely mentioned are the historical roots of
mentioned are the historical roots of
mentioned are the historical roots of this deforestation this is a pretty
this deforestation this is a pretty
this deforestation this is a pretty famous photo and it’s often used when
famous photo and it’s often used when
famous photo and it’s often used when comparing Haiti to the Dominican
comparing Haiti to the Dominican
comparing Haiti to the Dominican Republic and there’s a lot of good
Republic and there’s a lot of good
Republic and there’s a lot of good reasons that are cited for this
reasons that are cited for this
reasons that are cited for this difference on the same island but one of
difference on the same island but one of
difference on the same island but one of the reasons that’s
the reasons that’s
the reasons that’s sited and that’s very rarely discussed
sited and that’s very rarely discussed
sited and that’s very rarely discussed is the fact that what you’re seeing here
is the fact that what you’re seeing here
is the fact that what you’re seeing here are actually the environmental scars of
are actually the environmental scars of
are actually the environmental scars of extremely different post colonial
extremely different post colonial
extremely different post colonial histories in 1825 after Haiti won their
histories in 1825 after Haiti won their
histories in 1825 after Haiti won their independence from France the French
independence from France the French
independence from France the French government forced the Haitian government
government forced the Haitian government
government forced the Haitian government to pay reparations on the order of 20
to pay reparations on the order of 20
to pay reparations on the order of 20 1.7 billion dollars in today’s currency
1.7 billion dollars in today’s currency
1.7 billion dollars in today’s currency and that debt took Haiti over 100 years
and that debt took Haiti over 100 years
and that debt took Haiti over 100 years to pay off and during that time Haiti
to pay off and during that time Haiti
to pay off and during that time Haiti chopped down over 50% of their forests
chopped down over 50% of their forests
chopped down over 50% of their forests and that wood went to build Paris
and that wood went to build Paris
and that wood went to build Paris instead of port-au-prince so when you
instead of port-au-prince so when you
instead of port-au-prince so when you hear these statistics about Haiti I
hear these statistics about Haiti I
hear these statistics about Haiti I think it’s very important to have this
think it’s very important to have this
think it’s very important to have this perspective because I feel like it’s
perspective because I feel like it’s
perspective because I feel like it’s often framed in such a way that would
often framed in such a way that would
often framed in such a way that would make you think that Haitians have not
make you think that Haitians have not
make you think that Haitians have not been good stewards of their environment
been good stewards of their environment
been good stewards of their environment and I think it’s important to know this
and I think it’s important to know this
and I think it’s important to know this post colonial history so with that I’m
post colonial history so with that I’m
post colonial history so with that I’m going to move us a little farther
going to move us a little farther
going to move us a little farther forward in time this photo was taken in
forward in time this photo was taken in
forward in time this photo was taken in 2004 on my first trip to Haiti and as an
2004 on my first trip to Haiti and as an
2004 on my first trip to Haiti and as an ecologist as I was flying in the very
ecologist as I was flying in the very
ecologist as I was flying in the very first thing that I noticed was this sort
first thing that I noticed was this sort
first thing that I noticed was this sort of brown lip that goes all the way
of brown lip that goes all the way
of brown lip that goes all the way around the edge of the country and I
around the edge of the country and I
around the edge of the country and I said okay well that’s what’s happening
said okay well that’s what’s happening
said okay well that’s what’s happening to Haiti’s rich agricultural soil it’s
to Haiti’s rich agricultural soil it’s
to Haiti’s rich agricultural soil it’s running off into the sea because of
running off into the sea because of
running off into the sea because of deforestation and Haiti’s actually
deforestation and Haiti’s actually
deforestation and Haiti’s actually losing thirty six point six million
losing thirty six point six million
losing thirty six point six million metric tons of soil per year and just to
metric tons of soil per year and just to
metric tons of soil per year and just to give you a comparison and the UK the
give you a comparison and the UK the
give you a comparison and the UK the erosion rate is about 2.2 million metric
erosion rate is about 2.2 million metric
erosion rate is about 2.2 million metric tons so an extreme erosion rate but as I
tons so an extreme erosion rate but as I
tons so an extreme erosion rate but as I spent more time in Haiti I came to
spent more time in Haiti I came to
spent more time in Haiti I came to realize that this brown lip that you see
realize that this brown lip that you see
realize that this brown lip that you see around the edge of the country is not
around the edge of the country is not
around the edge of the country is not only soil there’s actually something
only soil there’s actually something
only soil there’s actually something else that’s going into the ocean and
else that’s going into the ocean and
else that’s going into the ocean and turning at that color and what that is
turning at that color and what that is
turning at that color and what that is is human waste Haiti has by far the
is human waste Haiti has by far the
is human waste Haiti has by far the lowest sanitation coverage in the
lowest sanitation coverage in the
lowest sanitation coverage in the Western Hemisphere and one of the lowest
Western Hemisphere and one of the lowest
Western Hemisphere and one of the lowest in the world in rural areas only 16% of
in the world in rural areas only 16% of
in the world in rural areas only 16% of the population have ax
the population have ax
the population have ax to a toilet and in urban areas that
to a toilet and in urban areas that
to a toilet and in urban areas that percentage is only 35% so the vast
percentage is only 35% so the vast
percentage is only 35% so the vast majority of Haitians do not have access
majority of Haitians do not have access
majority of Haitians do not have access to a toilet and are forced to go to the
to a toilet and are forced to go to the
to a toilet and are forced to go to the bathroom outside in the bushes in rivers
bathroom outside in the bushes in rivers
bathroom outside in the bushes in rivers and canals or in plastic bags which are
and canals or in plastic bags which are
and canals or in plastic bags which are then thrown into abandoned lots or into
then thrown into abandoned lots or into
then thrown into abandoned lots or into the water this is a pretty typical
the water this is a pretty typical
the water this is a pretty typical looking canal Institute so they in
looking canal Institute so they in
looking canal Institute so they in port-au-prince and what you can see here
port-au-prince and what you can see here
port-au-prince and what you can see here is is that algal growth which is
is is that algal growth which is
is is that algal growth which is actually caused by excessive nutrients
actually caused by excessive nutrients
actually caused by excessive nutrients from human wastes that are going into
from human wastes that are going into
from human wastes that are going into the canal now even in places where there
the canal now even in places where there
the canal now even in places where there is sanitation in place it’s often poorly
is sanitation in place it’s often poorly
is sanitation in place it’s often poorly designed or poorly placed so you can see
designed or poorly placed so you can see
designed or poorly placed so you can see this latrine here and then you see that
this latrine here and then you see that
this latrine here and then you see that it is built just over this river where
it is built just over this river where
it is built just over this river where many people get their drinking and
many people get their drinking and
many people get their drinking and bathing water so all of the human wastes
bathing water so all of the human wastes
bathing water so all of the human wastes that are going into this latrine are
that are going into this latrine are
that are going into this latrine are filtering down and into the water supply
filtering down and into the water supply
filtering down and into the water supply where it can then affect humans
where it can then affect humans
where it can then affect humans this photo is another example this is a
this photo is another example this is a
this photo is another example this is a very nice hospital in the central
very nice hospital in the central
very nice hospital in the central plateau in Haiti that I visited and they
plateau in Haiti that I visited and they
plateau in Haiti that I visited and they had these great flush toilets and so I
had these great flush toilets and so I
had these great flush toilets and so I said well what happens when you flush
said well what happens when you flush
said well what happens when you flush that water and they took me out back and
that water and they took me out back and
that water and they took me out back and showed me this giant hole and I said it
showed me this giant hole and I said it
showed me this giant hole and I said it all runs off into this hole here and you
all runs off into this hole here and you
all runs off into this hole here and you can see by the depth of this that at
can see by the depth of this that at
can see by the depth of this that at certain times of year when there’s rain
certain times of year when there’s rain
certain times of year when there’s rain the groundwater rises and mixes directly
the groundwater rises and mixes directly
the groundwater rises and mixes directly with that sewage and this is the reason
with that sewage and this is the reason
with that sewage and this is the reason that waterborne illness is the leading
that waterborne illness is the leading
that waterborne illness is the leading cause of death in children under five in
cause of death in children under five in
cause of death in children under five in Haiti and last year in October Haiti had
Haiti and last year in October Haiti had
Haiti and last year in October Haiti had their first-ever cholera outbreak which
their first-ever cholera outbreak which
their first-ever cholera outbreak which has since claimed over 6,000 lives
has since claimed over 6,000 lives
has since claimed over 6,000 lives so poor sanitation is really one of the
so poor sanitation is really one of the
so poor sanitation is really one of the leading causes of death in Haiti and
leading causes of death in Haiti and
leading causes of death in Haiti and something that’s often overlooked Haiti
something that’s often overlooked Haiti
something that’s often overlooked Haiti is a country with absolutely zero sewage
is a country with absolutely zero sewage
is a country with absolutely zero sewage treatment and prior to the earthquake
treatment and prior to the earthquake
treatment and prior to the earthquake there was not even a legal dumping site
there was not even a legal dumping site
there was not even a legal dumping site anywhere in the country for human waste
anywhere in the country for human waste
anywhere in the country for human waste so when septic tanks or latrines were
so when septic tanks or latrines were
so when septic tanks or latrines were emptied they’re being emptied into
emptied they’re being emptied into
emptied they’re being emptied into rivers onto the ground just outside of
rivers onto the ground just outside of
rivers onto the ground just outside of the city
the city
the city Yunos
Yunos
Yunos of organized way after the earthquake
of organized way after the earthquake
of organized way after the earthquake when lots of organizations flooded into
when lots of organizations flooded into
when lots of organizations flooded into the country and began doing sanitation
the country and began doing sanitation
the country and began doing sanitation work there was a lot of pressure on the
work there was a lot of pressure on the
work there was a lot of pressure on the government to identify a legal site for
government to identify a legal site for
government to identify a legal site for dumping and this was the site just
dumping and this was the site just
dumping and this was the site just outside of port-au-prince was which was
outside of port-au-prince was which was
outside of port-au-prince was which was identified as a temporary site but is
identified as a temporary site but is
identified as a temporary site but is still being used today a year and a half
still being used today a year and a half
still being used today a year and a half later and this is the city dump where
later and this is the city dump where
later and this is the city dump where all of the solid wastes from the city
all of the solid wastes from the city
all of the solid wastes from the city come so the problem when you mix the
come so the problem when you mix the
come so the problem when you mix the waste streams like this is that you have
waste streams like this is that you have
waste streams like this is that you have a situation where people are coming to
a situation where people are coming to
a situation where people are coming to scavenge in the solid waste to find
scavenge in the solid waste to find
scavenge in the solid waste to find things to sell and then they’re being
things to sell and then they’re being
things to sell and then they’re being exposed to human pathogens which were
exposed to human pathogens which were
exposed to human pathogens which were being dumped initially they were dumping
being dumped initially they were dumping
being dumped initially they were dumping almost 40,000 gallons a day from 50 to
almost 40,000 gallons a day from 50 to
almost 40,000 gallons a day from 50 to 75 of these trucks would come and
75 of these trucks would come and
75 of these trucks would come and initially there were no holes or
initially there were no holes or
initially there were no holes or anything so it was just being dumped
anything so it was just being dumped
anything so it was just being dumped onto the ground and this photo was taken
onto the ground and this photo was taken
onto the ground and this photo was taken in April of 2010 there was a period of
in April of 2010 there was a period of
in April of 2010 there was a period of about two months where you actually
about two months where you actually
about two months where you actually could not access the dump because there
could not access the dump because there
could not access the dump because there were rivers of sewage running throughout
were rivers of sewage running throughout
were rivers of sewage running throughout it in June of 2010 there was a slight
it in June of 2010 there was a slight
it in June of 2010 there was a slight improvement made there were two giant
improvement made there were two giant
improvement made there were two giant pits dug at the end of the dump and you
pits dug at the end of the dump and you
pits dug at the end of the dump and you can see those up in the upper right hand
can see those up in the upper right hand
can see those up in the upper right hand corner of this satellite image and this
corner of this satellite image and this
corner of this satellite image and this is better in that people who were
is better in that people who were
is better in that people who were scavenging were somewhat isolated from
scavenging were somewhat isolated from
scavenging were somewhat isolated from the human waste however if you look at
the human waste however if you look at
the human waste however if you look at this satellite image you can see that
this satellite image you can see that
this satellite image you can see that those pits are only 600 meters from the
those pits are only 600 meters from the
those pits are only 600 meters from the Bay of port-au-prince and you can see
Bay of port-au-prince and you can see
Bay of port-au-prince and you can see these sort of brown plumes going out
these sort of brown plumes going out
these sort of brown plumes going out towards the sea and those are human
towards the sea and those are human
towards the sea and those are human waste untreated running off into the Bay
waste untreated running off into the Bay
waste untreated running off into the Bay of port-au-prince as an ecologist one of
of port-au-prince as an ecologist one of
of port-au-prince as an ecologist one of the first things that I thought about
the first things that I thought about
the first things that I thought about after seeing this brown lip around Haiti
after seeing this brown lip around Haiti
after seeing this brown lip around Haiti is is there a way to recapture those
is is there a way to recapture those
is is there a way to recapture those nutrients that are running off into
nutrients that are running off into
nutrients that are running off into aquatic ecosystems and making people
aquatic ecosystems and making people
aquatic ecosystems and making people sick damaging the environment and get
sick damaging the environment and get
sick damaging the environment and get them back on to the land in a way that
them back on to the land in a way that
them back on to the land in a way that they can help to re-establish that
they can help to re-establish that
they can help to re-establish that agricultural vitality of Haiti and one
agricultural vitality of Haiti and one
agricultural vitality of Haiti and one of the ways to do this is through the
of the ways to do this is through the
of the ways to do this is through the process of composting which is what I’m
process of composting which is what I’m
process of composting which is what I’m going to focus the rest of my talk on
going to focus the rest of my talk on
going to focus the rest of my talk on our first two talks today talked about
our first two talks today talked about
our first two talks today talked about food and I’m also going to talk about
food and I’m also going to talk about
food and I’m also going to talk about food but I’m going to talk about instead
food but I’m going to talk about instead
food but I’m going to talk about instead of it going in I’m going to talk about
of it going in I’m going to talk about
of it going in I’m going to talk about it coming out the other end so it’s all
it coming out the other end so it’s all
it coming out the other end so it’s all part of the same cycle and I will end up
part of the same cycle and I will end up
part of the same cycle and I will end up back with food so what we do is we build
back with food so what we do is we build
back with food so what we do is we build ecological toilets of Haiti my
ecological toilets of Haiti my
ecological toilets of Haiti my organization is called soil and it was
organization is called soil and it was
organization is called soil and it was founded in 2006 and we built a special
founded in 2006 and we built a special
founded in 2006 and we built a special kind of toilet called a urine diversion
kind of toilet called a urine diversion
kind of toilet called a urine diversion toilet so if you look at this seat when
toilet so if you look at this seat when
toilet so if you look at this seat when you sit down on it the pee goes one way
you sit down on it the pee goes one way
you sit down on it the pee goes one way and then the poop falls down into a 15
and then the poop falls down into a 15
and then the poop falls down into a 15 gallon drum underneath the toilet and
gallon drum underneath the toilet and
gallon drum underneath the toilet and each time you poop instead of flushing
each time you poop instead of flushing
each time you poop instead of flushing with water which is a very scarce
with water which is a very scarce
with water which is a very scarce resource hard to come by in most places
resource hard to come by in most places
resource hard to come by in most places in Haiti instead of flushing with water
in Haiti instead of flushing with water
in Haiti instead of flushing with water you take a handful of some sort of dry
you take a handful of some sort of dry
you take a handful of some sort of dry organic material and you use that to
organic material and you use that to
organic material and you use that to cover up the poop so that it doesn’t
cover up the poop so that it doesn’t
cover up the poop so that it doesn’t smell and so that you don’t get flies
smell and so that you don’t get flies
smell and so that you don’t get flies attracted to it now this is one of our
attracted to it now this is one of our
attracted to it now this is one of our first toilets that we built in Haiti and
first toilets that we built in Haiti and
first toilets that we built in Haiti and the way that it works is that the seat
the way that it works is that the seat
the way that it works is that the seat is elevated over a cement chamber there
is elevated over a cement chamber there
is elevated over a cement chamber there and the urine is diverted back into this
and the urine is diverted back into this
and the urine is diverted back into this drum behind the toilet and urine I don’t
drum behind the toilet and urine I don’t
drum behind the toilet and urine I don’t know if anyone’s ever heard it called
know if anyone’s ever heard it called
know if anyone’s ever heard it called liquid gold before but it actually is
liquid gold before but it actually is
liquid gold before but it actually is liquid gold urine has most of the
liquid gold urine has most of the
liquid gold urine has most of the nutrients in human waste so all those
nutrients in human waste so all those
nutrients in human waste so all those things that we’re eating that we just
things that we’re eating that we just
things that we’re eating that we just don’t need we passed right back out of
don’t need we passed right back out of
don’t need we passed right back out of our bodies those nutrients are mostly
our bodies those nutrients are mostly
our bodies those nutrients are mostly contained in urine and urine does not
contained in urine and urine does not
contained in urine and urine does not have the pathogens that are in the poop
have the pathogens that are in the poop
have the pathogens that are in the poop so if you can take that urine and dilute
so if you can take that urine and dilute
so if you can take that urine and dilute it with water it can actually be used
it with water it can actually be used
it with water it can actually be used directly as a fertilizer and is a great
directly as a fertilizer and is a great
directly as a fertilizer and is a great free fertilizer source we’re all making
free fertilizer source we’re all making
free fertilizer source we’re all making it the poop falls down into this chamber
it the poop falls down into this chamber
it the poop falls down into this chamber underneath the toilet and when the
underneath the toilet and when the
underneath the toilet and when the chamber fills up you actually move the
chamber fills up you actually move the
chamber fills up you actually move the toilet seat over to that second chamber
toilet seat over to that second chamber
toilet seat over to that second chamber you seal the first one and by the time
you seal the first one and by the time
you seal the first one and by the time the second one fills up you can empty
the second one fills up you can empty
the second one fills up you can empty that first chamber and it’s already
that first chamber and it’s already
that first chamber and it’s already decomposed into something that doesn’t
decomposed into something that doesn’t
decomposed into something that doesn’t look or smell like poop anymore so in
look or smell like poop anymore so in
look or smell like poop anymore so in the first three years that our
the first three years that our
the first three years that our organization worked in Haiti we built
organization worked in Haiti we built
organization worked in Haiti we built about 55 public toilets and communities
about 55 public toilets and communities
about 55 public toilets and communities that otherwise would have no access to
that otherwise would have no access to
that otherwise would have no access to sanitation
sanitation
sanitation then in January of 2010 there was the
then in January of 2010 there was the
then in January of 2010 there was the earthquake which changed everyone’s
earthquake which changed everyone’s
earthquake which changed everyone’s lives in Haiti and took the lives of
lives in Haiti and took the lives of
lives in Haiti and took the lives of over 200,000 people in the capital I was
over 200,000 people in the capital I was
over 200,000 people in the capital I was living in cap-haitien in northern Haiti
living in cap-haitien in northern Haiti
living in cap-haitien in northern Haiti at the time and I had a group of
at the time and I had a group of
at the time and I had a group of students from the University of Miami
students from the University of Miami
students from the University of Miami with me and two days later they were
with me and two days later they were
with me and two days later they were able to be evacuated and we took about
able to be evacuated and we took about
able to be evacuated and we took about half of our team from cap-haitien we
half of our team from cap-haitien we
half of our team from cap-haitien we packed a bag we said we’re going to
packed a bag we said we’re going to
packed a bag we said we’re going to port-au-prince we’ll be back in three
port-au-prince we’ll be back in three
port-au-prince we’ll be back in three days and I’ve actually been living in
days and I’ve actually been living in
days and I’ve actually been living in port-au-prince ever since so for about a
port-au-prince ever since so for about a
port-au-prince ever since so for about a year and a half pound when we first got
year and a half pound when we first got
year and a half pound when we first got there we really focused on just direct
there we really focused on just direct
there we really focused on just direct emergency relief which was something
emergency relief which was something
emergency relief which was something that we had never done before but it was
that we had never done before but it was
that we had never done before but it was amazing the way that everyone who had
amazing the way that everyone who had
amazing the way that everyone who had survived really banded together to to
survived really banded together to to
survived really banded together to to help people who were suffering and we
help people who were suffering and we
help people who were suffering and we distributed food we distributed water we
distributed food we distributed water we
distributed food we distributed water we did transport of victims and then in
did transport of victims and then in
did transport of victims and then in March of 2010 we were approached by
March of 2010 we were approached by
March of 2010 we were approached by Oxfam Great Britain and they said do you
Oxfam Great Britain and they said do you
Oxfam Great Britain and they said do you think you could do a pilot project in
think you could do a pilot project in
think you could do a pilot project in the camps and port-au-prince with your
the camps and port-au-prince with your
the camps and port-au-prince with your toilets and initially I said no way we
toilets and initially I said no way we
toilets and initially I said no way we don’t we don’t do emergency work we
don’t we don’t do emergency work we
don’t we don’t do emergency work we don’t really work in urban areas like
don’t really work in urban areas like
don’t really work in urban areas like this and I’m not convinced that this
this and I’m not convinced that this
this and I’m not convinced that this technology is going to be appropriate
technology is going to be appropriate
technology is going to be appropriate for a situation like this well they were
for a situation like this well they were
for a situation like this well they were very persistent and I’m glad that they
very persistent and I’m glad that they
very persistent and I’m glad that they were because we finally agreed to try
were because we finally agreed to try
were because we finally agreed to try the project and within six months we put
the project and within six months we put
the project and within six months we put in 200 public toilets and 31 camps
in 200 public toilets and 31 camps
in 200 public toilets and 31 camps throughout the city serving about 20,000
throughout the city serving about 20,000
throughout the city serving about 20,000 people and if you look at this toilet
people and if you look at this toilet
people and if you look at this toilet you can see we made some modifications
you can see we made some modifications
you can see we made some modifications to for the emergency we built them out
to for the emergency we built them out
to for the emergency we built them out of wooden tarps instead of cement so
of wooden tarps instead of cement so
of wooden tarps instead of cement so that when people began to move out of
that when people began to move out of
that when people began to move out of the camps we can dismantle the toilets
the camps we can dismantle the toilets
the camps we can dismantle the toilets and and take them out you also see that
and and take them out you also see that
and and take them out you also see that this toilet is being used as a
this toilet is being used as a
this toilet is being used as a clothesline and it’s something I want to
clothesline and it’s something I want to
clothesline and it’s something I want to point out because one of the things that
point out because one of the things that
point out because one of the things that our team is most proud of is the fact
our team is most proud of is the fact
our team is most proud of is the fact that people in the camps where we have
that people in the camps where we have
that people in the camps where we have these toilets really say these are the
these toilets really say these are the
these toilets really say these are the nicest most comfortable least smelly
nicest most comfortable least smelly
nicest most comfortable least smelly toilets that have been built in response
toilets that have been built in response
toilets that have been built in response to the earthquake
to the earthquake
to the earthquake in general you would not see people
in general you would not see people
in general you would not see people hanging their clothes off of a latrine
hanging their clothes off of a latrine
hanging their clothes off of a latrine because it usually you don’t want to get
because it usually you don’t want to get
because it usually you don’t want to get anywhere near it
anywhere near it
anywhere near it this is a picture of a camp committee
this is a picture of a camp committee
this is a picture of a camp committee this is about a year after this toilet
this is about a year after this toilet
this is about a year after this toilet was built and people still sit out of
was built and people still sit out of
was built and people still sit out of them the steps all day they do their
them the steps all day they do their
them the steps all day they do their homework there it’s actually a
homework there it’s actually a
homework there it’s actually a relatively nice place to hang out we
relatively nice place to hang out we
relatively nice place to hang out we also we made another modification that
also we made another modification that
also we made another modification that was really important because in the
was really important because in the
was really important because in the camps you have incredibly high usage so
camps you have incredibly high usage so
camps you have incredibly high usage so instead of having these cement chambers
instead of having these cement chambers
instead of having these cement chambers underneath the toilet we replaced that
underneath the toilet we replaced that
underneath the toilet we replaced that with a 15 gallon plastic drum so each
with a 15 gallon plastic drum so each
with a 15 gallon plastic drum so each time the drum fills up would poop you
time the drum fills up would poop you
time the drum fills up would poop you can just seal it remove it and put in
can just seal it remove it and put in
can just seal it remove it and put in another drum and then we we send the
another drum and then we we send the
another drum and then we we send the soil poop mobile around so the
soil poop mobile around so the
soil poop mobile around so the popemobile goes around once a week and
popemobile goes around once a week and
popemobile goes around once a week and collects these full drums and replaces
collects these full drums and replaces
collects these full drums and replaces them with empty drums and cover material
them with empty drums and cover material
them with empty drums and cover material now we take the drums out to our compost
now we take the drums out to our compost
now we take the drums out to our compost site where they’re dumped and they’re
site where they’re dumped and they’re
site where they’re dumped and they’re mixed with sugarcane bagasse which is a
mixed with sugarcane bagasse which is a
mixed with sugarcane bagasse which is a byproduct of REM production when the bin
byproduct of REM production when the bin
byproduct of REM production when the bin is filled you cover it with a thick
is filled you cover it with a thick
is filled you cover it with a thick layer of organic materials so flies
layer of organic materials so flies
layer of organic materials so flies can’t access the compost and basically
can’t access the compost and basically
can’t access the compost and basically we leave it there so it’s a it’s a
we leave it there so it’s a it’s a
we leave it there so it’s a it’s a pretty low maintenance process according
pretty low maintenance process according
pretty low maintenance process according to the w-h-o to safely treat human
to the w-h-o to safely treat human
to the w-h-o to safely treat human wastes you need to achieve temperatures
wastes you need to achieve temperatures
wastes you need to achieve temperatures of over a hundred and twenty degrees
of over a hundred and twenty degrees
of over a hundred and twenty degrees Fahrenheit for a minimum of one week so
Fahrenheit for a minimum of one week so
Fahrenheit for a minimum of one week so while the compost is in these bins we
while the compost is in these bins we
while the compost is in these bins we take temperatures every few days and you
take temperatures every few days and you
take temperatures every few days and you can see here that ones that 160 we’ve
can see here that ones that 160 we’ve
can see here that ones that 160 we’ve had some of our piles actually reach
had some of our piles actually reach
had some of our piles actually reach almost 200 degrees which is too hot
almost 200 degrees which is too hot
almost 200 degrees which is too hot after we’re sure the pathogens have been
after we’re sure the pathogens have been
after we’re sure the pathogens have been killed we transport the waste out and
killed we transport the waste out and
killed we transport the waste out and put it in wind rows like this and it
put it in wind rows like this and it
put it in wind rows like this and it takes another four to five months before
takes another four to five months before
takes another four to five months before the composting process is complete and
the composting process is complete and
the composting process is complete and at the end of that time we get this
at the end of that time we get this
at the end of that time we get this incredibly rich fertile soil which
incredibly rich fertile soil which
incredibly rich fertile soil which generally I would travel with it and I’d
generally I would travel with it and I’d
generally I would travel with it and I’d be passing it around right now for you
be passing it around right now for you
be passing it around right now for you to smell it but I I got a little nervous
to smell it but I I got a little nervous
to smell it but I I got a little nervous about customs this time so I haven’t
about customs this time so I haven’t
about customs this time so I haven’t come with a sample so I’m just gonna
come with a sample so I’m just gonna
come with a sample so I’m just gonna finish up a really a really quick
finish up a really a really quick
finish up a really a really quick example of what we’re we’re moving
example of what we’re we’re moving
example of what we’re we’re moving towards is that we’re now moving back
towards is that we’re now moving back
towards is that we’re now moving back into develop
into develop
into develop and we’re working on designing a
and we’re working on designing a
and we’re working on designing a household toilet model that could be
household toilet model that could be
household toilet model that could be indoor/outdoor that basically looks like
indoor/outdoor that basically looks like
indoor/outdoor that basically looks like a box so you wouldn’t know it was a
a box so you wouldn’t know it was a
a box so you wouldn’t know it was a toilet and when you lift it you have the
toilet and when you lift it you have the
toilet and when you lift it you have the toilet seat and underneath is a
toilet seat and underneath is a
toilet seat and underneath is a five-gallon bucket that’s sealable what
five-gallon bucket that’s sealable what
five-gallon bucket that’s sealable what we’re looking to do is to rent these
we’re looking to do is to rent these
we’re looking to do is to rent these toilets for about one to three dollars
toilets for about one to three dollars
toilets for about one to three dollars us a month people would pay this rental
us a month people would pay this rental
us a month people would pay this rental fee and that’ll cover the collection
fee and that’ll cover the collection
fee and that’ll cover the collection transport and treatment of the waste and
transport and treatment of the waste and
transport and treatment of the waste and then compost sales can be used to
then compost sales can be used to
then compost sales can be used to subsidize toilets for families who can’t
subsidize toilets for families who can’t
subsidize toilets for families who can’t afford them so that’s sort of a sneak
afford them so that’s sort of a sneak
afford them so that’s sort of a sneak preview of how waste can be transformed
preview of how waste can be transformed
preview of how waste can be transformed into a resource and can become a
into a resource and can become a
into a resource and can become a sustainable business for now I’ll just
sustainable business for now I’ll just
sustainable business for now I’ll just leave you with the idea what we’re
leave you with the idea what we’re
leave you with the idea what we’re imagining is is there a way to transform
imagining is is there a way to transform
imagining is is there a way to transform this practice that’s making people sick
this practice that’s making people sick
this practice that’s making people sick to take these nutrients and pathogens
to take these nutrients and pathogens
to take these nutrients and pathogens that are polluting aquatic systems
that are polluting aquatic systems
that are polluting aquatic systems causing a public health problem and to
causing a public health problem and to
causing a public health problem and to get them back on to the soil where they
get them back on to the soil where they
get them back on to the soil where they can be used for reforestation and
can be used for reforestation and
can be used for reforestation and agriculture to help solve some of these
agriculture to help solve some of these
agriculture to help solve some of these environmental and health problems thank
environmental and health problems thank
environmental and health problems thank you all so much before I go I really
you all so much before I go I really
you all so much before I go I really want to acknowledge my incredible team
want to acknowledge my incredible team
want to acknowledge my incredible team that I work with in Haiti it’s an honor
that I work with in Haiti it’s an honor
that I work with in Haiti it’s an honor for me to be here but certainly this
for me to be here but certainly this
for me to be here but certainly this work would never have happened without
work would never have happened without
work would never have happened without all of the support that I get and I
all of the support that I get and I
all of the support that I get and I thank you all so much for coming
thank you all so much for coming
thank you all so much for coming especially my parents who are here in
especially my parents who are here in
especially my parents who are here in the front row thank you very much
”
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