This sanitation solution treats human waste using bacterial culture without sewage infrastructure, eliminating the need for excreta transport and treatment.

Banka BioLoo is a women-led social enterprise in India providing environmentally-friendly and sustainable solutions for sanitation in rural, urban and peri-urban areas. Their bio-digester uses anaerobic bacteria to convert the organic waste into methane and CO2. The anaerobic process kills the pathogens responsible for water-borne diseases. The bio-digesters are designed as low-cost underground tanks that ensure anaerobic conditions at the required temperature for the bacteria.

The Banka BioLoo meets the need for basic, easy-to-install and hygienic human waste disposal in areas with minimal infrastructural facilities and no existing sewage systems. The company claims that their system is maintenance-free and low-cost, and that it does not require any input energy, plumbing connections to sewage infrastructure or sludge disposal.

I have taken a lot of initiative to popularise this technology. It’s a huge opportunity for India and for us as a business.

Namita Banka – Founder and CEO of Banka BioLoo.

Why you should care

In India, up to 65% of the rural population and nearly half the total population defecate in the open – more than in any other country. This poses significant health risks and is a source of waterborne diseases. In addition, poor sanitation infrastructure disproportionately affects women through increased risks of sexual assault. Addressing poor access to adequate sanitation globally has been challenging, but this solution shows how low-cost innovation can help solve the crisis.

How the Global Goals are addressed

Good Health and Well-Being

Banka BioLoo’s bio-digester treats human waste, helping reduce open defecation, alleviate poor sanitation, and reduce the spread of waterborne diseases.

Clean Water and Sanitation

Banka BioLoo provides basic, easy-to-install and hygienic toilets with an on-site waste treatment mechanism - helping to address the need for cheaper and easy-to-operate sanitation systems.

Reduced Inequalities

Without the need to install expensive sewage infrastructure or regular waste disposal services, the Banka BioLoo makes it possible to install toilets in low-income areas which lack adequate infrastructure.