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PERSPECTIVES AND OPPORTUNITIES TO CLOSE THE SANITATION LOOP IN R URAL CAMBODIA
Potential solutions to integrate public health and agriculture through lime
Brian Chhor & Katie Nelson
Stanford Gap for Good, XSEED
September 2012
OUTLINE
1. Background
2. Methodology
3. Technical feasibility
4. iDE’s operational viability
5. Consumer desirability
6. Business models
7. Implementation plan
BA
CK
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PROJECT BACKGROUND
Based on last summer's research, tying agricultural value to human waste could provide incentive to
change sanitation practices.
BA
CK
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SUMMER OBJECTIVES
Explore opportunities to close the sanitation loop in rural Cambodia:
» Exploring existing sanitation systems worldwide
» Developing an understanding of the Cambodian context
» Testing concepts in the field
METH
OD
OLO
GYINITIAL EXPLORATION OF
SANITATIONTREATMENT OPTIONS:
CHEMICALAlkalineUltravioletChlorine
STEP 1: Research
BIOLOGICALBiodigestionVermicultureComposting
AerobicAnaerobic
PHYSICALPasteurizationShearingFilter
METH
OD
OLO
GY
METH
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METH
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STEP 2: Examine technical feasibility of lime
» Safety
» Efficacy
» Literature review
STEP 3: Operational viability» iDE’s existing resources
» Supply chain
STEP 4: Consumer desirability » Field visits to Kandal, Svai Rieng (x2)
» 7 FBAs, 5 farmers, 3 non-farmers, 1 village chief
» iDE's SVR Chief Agronomist, Operations Manager, field staff
» Business model comparison
TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY
TECH
NIC
AL FEA
SIBILITY
Chemical Process
TECH
NIC
AL FEA
SIBILITY
Types of Lime
CaCO3
(Limestone)
• Easiest and safest to handle
• Replenishes calcium in soils
• Used in toothpaste, cereal, antacids
• When burned (calcination), produces CaO
CaO
(Quicklime)
• Will spontaneously react with CO2 and H2O in air, can ignite combustible materials
• Can reach temp of 100 C
• Dries and pasteurizes sludge, raises pH
• Causes severe burns when inhaled or placed in contact with moist skin or eyes.
Ca(OH)2
(Hydrated Lime)
•Relatively stable compared to CaO
•Does not generate heat,raises pH to 12
•Good for building and mortar- aggregate and stabilizer
•Good for white washing, pickling, and deodorizing animal waste
•Unprotected exposure to Ca(OH)2 should be limited. It can cause severe skin irritation, chemical burns, blindness, or lung damage.
TECH
NIC
AL FEA
SIBILITY
Types of Lime
CaCO3
(Limestone)
• Easiest and safest to handle
• Replenishes calcium in soils
• Used in toothpaste, cereal, antacids
• When burned (calcination), produces CaO
CaO
(Quicklime)
• Will spontaneously react with CO2 and H2O in air, can ignite combustible materials
• Can reach temp of 100 C
• Dries and pasteurizes sludge, raises pH
• Causes severe burns when inhaled or placed in contact with moist skin or eyes.
Ca(OH)2
(Hydrated Lime)
•Relatively stable compared to CaO
•Does not generate heat,raises pH to 12
•Good for building and mortar- aggregate and stabilizer
•Good for white washing, pickling, and deodorizing animal waste
•Unprotected exposure to Ca(OH)2 should be limited. It can cause severe skin irritation, chemical burns, blindness, or lung damage.
TECH
NIC
AL FEA
SIBILITY
Lime in Sanitation
» High pH levels destroy and prevent regrowth of pathogens
» Vector attraction barrier prevents insect infection of waste
» Reduce heavy metal content
» Destruction of odors
TECH
NIC
AL FEA
SIBILITY
» Increased pH improves acidic soil
» Classified as a “soil amendment,” not a fertilizer
Improves soil quality over time rather than having a direct impact
on short-term crop growth
» Decreased insect and pest attraction
» Increases soil permeability and water percolation
» Improves conditions for nitrogen-fixing bacteria
» Captures phosphates and ammonia
Lime in Agriculture
TECH
NIC
AL FEA
SIBILITY
In the Literature
TECH
NIC
AL FEA
SIBILITY
Fungi and Pathogens Post-Treatment
TECH
NIC
AL FEA
SIBILITY
Chemical Assay Post-Treatment
Lime
FlocculationpH Testing with Ca(OH)2
TECH
NIC
AL FEA
SIBILITY
TECH
NIC
AL FEA
SIBILITY
Mixing Devices:Latrine-level and toilet
level
TECH
NIC
AL FEA
SIBILITY
Lime Storage and Dispenser
TECH
NIC
AL FEA
SIBILITY
KEY POINTS:
» Chemically, lime is well adapted for both:
Sanitation purposes : kills pathogens, insect attraction barrier, odor reduction
Agricultural purposes: increased pH and soil permeability, phosphate and ammonia fixing, pest reduction
» Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) is the most promising form
Safer than CaO and more alkaline than CaCO3
» Lime needs to be adequately mixed with waste to ensure
sterilization
OPERATIONAL VIABILITY
OP
ERA
TION
AL V
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iDE’s Current Use of Lime
» Sold through FBA network
5-10% of overall sales
Sales have doubled in past year
Sold mainly to NGOs
» Focused on vegetable plots
» Pilot test:
Recommendation was 300-500 kg/hectare.
In pilot test (1 HH), used 300 kg on 1 hectare.
Rice yield increased from 1 ton/hectare to 3.5 ton/hectare
OP
ERA
TION
AL V
IAB
ILITY
iDE’s LIME SUPPLY CHAIN
?Lime is sourced from Vietnam, but the original provenance is unknown. Perhaps China?
OP
ERA
TION
AL V
IAB
ILITY
iDE’s LIME SUPPLY CHAIN
?
iDE purchases lime from across the border, and transports to Svay Rieng
Lors Thmey
OP
ERA
TION
AL V
IAB
ILITY
iDE’s LIME SUPPLY CHAIN
?
Lors Thmey distributes to FBAs and sells to NGOs
Lors Thmey
NGOsDon BoscoCADFiDE partnersAVILUSAID
OP
ERA
TION
AL V
IAB
ILITY
iDE’s LIME SUPPLY CHAIN
?
FBAs use the lime themselves and sell to famers in small quantities
Lors Thmey
NGOsDon BoscoCADFiDE partnersAVILUSAID
OP
ERA
TION
AL V
IAB
ILITY
Problems with existing supply chain
» Inefficient sourcing and distribution
» Instability of existing source
» Lack of quality control
OP
ERA
TION
AL V
IAB
ILITY
Household costs & Alternate sourcing
Amount of Ca(OH)2 to get pH 11.5:1 teaspoon lime/ gal waste
(0.528 teaspoon/ 2L flush)
Amount of Ca(OH)2 per household per year:-5 people per household
-one flush per person per day
-Density Ca(OH)2 = 2.211 g/cm3
23.1511 lb per household
per year
Cost of Ca(OH)2 to household:
-US $90-200 / Metric Ton (via Lianyungang Jialei
International Trade Co., Ltd)
-Avg. $145 / metric ton ($0.0658 /lb)
-Ca(OH)2 from Thailand and Kampot (2008)
-$110-120 / metric ton ($0.0521 /lb)
-Ca(OH)2 from Battambang
-$90 / metric ton ($0.0408 /lb)
$0.94 per household per
year
OP
ERA
TION
AL
VIA
BILITY
KEY POINTS:
» iDE currently uses lime and has a full supply chain already built around it
» Supply chain should be reexamined for inefficiencies and quality control
» Most customers are repeat buyers
» The cost per household of a lime distribution scheme should cost less than $3/HH/year
CONSUMER DESIRABILITY
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DESIR
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ILITY
Central question:
Is alkaline stabilization of waste viable in the Cambodian context?
» Relevant information about existing agricultural practices and
preferences
» Understanding of waste management and sanitation norms
» Acceptability of central design concept
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AB
ILITY
USER INSIGHTS
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AB
ILITYFARMING: A Lifestyle
"When the wind comes, the rice looks like it's dancing.”
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DESIR
AB
ILITYFARMING: A Necessity
“There is no point in growing my own cucumbers when I can get them for cheaper at the market."
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DESIR
AB
ILITY"Everything is challenging. Some people fail once or twice and then give up. Other people fail over and over again until they get it right.“
FARMING
INSIGHT:
While the FBAs need to use the product themselves and observe the proof of its efficacy, farmers are willing to listen to FBAs recommendations based on their reputation alone.
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ILITYFARMING
INSIGHT:
FBAs are the thought leaders of the farming community, and advocate high inputs for high yields. Those farmers that ascribe to this philosophy are passionate about farming; those who do not are not willing to expend the effort or money to make improvements.
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ILITYFARMING
DESIGN PRINCIPLE:
Because FBAs are early adopters who are committed to learning new techniques to improve their farming, they should be the target of any new agricultural product.
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ILITYFRAMEWORKS FOR UNDERSTANDING: Chemicals
“People put chemicals in everything now, and we have shorter lives because of it."
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ILITYFRAMEWORKS FOR UNDERSTANDING: Mechanization
“Before, we peeled rice by hand, now a machine does it."
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ILITYFRAMEWORKS FOR UNDERSTANDING
INSIGHT:
Increased reliance on chemical and mechanical agricultural technology disconnects both farmers and consumers from the way that crops are being grown, resulting in suspicion and misunderstanding.
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ILITYFRAMEWORKS FOR UNDERSTANDING: Chemicals
"It's like MSG; before, we put a little on our food and it tasted good. Now we use a lot and it doesn’t taste any better.“
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ILITYFRAMEWORKS FOR UNDERSTANDING: Chemical Additives
Chemicals make “the ground hard" and "the rice red,” but “it’s good for the crops.”
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ILITYFRAMEWORKS FOR UNDERSTANDING: Organic Additives
Organic fertilizer makes "the rice white" and "the soil loose.”
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ILITYFRAMEWORKS FOR UNDERSTANDING
INSIGHT:
Farmers have a hard time reconciling the negative effects chemicals have on the environment with the increased quality of yields.
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ILITYFRAMEWORKS FOR UNDERSTANDING
DESIGN PRINCIPLE:
Increase transparency in the growing process through education. Emphasize both the organic and home-made nature of the product.
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ILITYWASTE: Pol Pot
“It was like being forced to drink from a water hose until you overflowed and couldn’t take anymore. There is no room left for anything else. We are full, fed up.”
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ILITYWASTE: Disgust
“You would have us eat our own shit?!”
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AB
ILITYWASTE
INSIGHT:
There is a strong aversion to using human waste as a fertilizer but people regularly use animal waste on their crops.
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AB
ILITYWASTE
INSIGHT:
In trying to make full use of livestock, waste is seen as a consumable and valuable good. Humans, on the other hand, do not have the same association --so it is hard for people to see human excrement as anything more than unwanted waste.
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DESIR
AB
ILITYWASTE
INSIGHT:
People believe bacteria (and associated diseases) to be unique to human waste, and perhaps, unique among family members.
CO
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DESIR
AB
ILITYWASTE: Rice vs. Vegetables
INSIGHT:
The difference in technique and use between rice and vegetables ‘shields’ farmers and consumers from the negative associations of human waste.
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DESIR
AB
ILITYWASTE
DESIGN PRINCIPLE:
We need to determine the acceptability of using a waste-based (but sterile) fertilizer on vegetables, and market it accordingly.
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ILITYWASTE
INSIGHT:
People use transformative techniques like composting and biodigesting to turn the waste into an acceptable product.
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ILITYWASTE
DESIGN PRINCIPLE:
Our product needs to utilize this concept of transformation to break the connection between human waste and the treated fertilizer final product.
IMP
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TATIO
N P
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KEY POINTS:
Opportunities:
» FBAs as resource within village network
» Prevalence of lime usage
» Desire for "better" organic fertilizer
» Fear of bacteria
Challenges:
» Wariness of chemical additives
» Stigma associated with human waste
» Lack of motivation to change farming practices
BU
SINESS M
OD
EL INSIG
HTS
HO
USEH
OLD
MO
DEL
Cost:
$4 Container
+
$3/year
SERV
ICE M
OD
EL
Cost:
$10 or $15 per latrine empty
+
$1/km travelled for treatment
BU
SINESS IN
SIGH
TS
GENERAL INSIGHTS
» General excitement
Odor elimination
Yield increase
Bacteria sterilization
» Concerns about safety
» Concerns about adherence
» Reception varied depending on price point
BU
SINESS IN
SIGH
TS
» Could be integrated into daily chores.
» Adherence is a concern for children, who already don’t practice sanitary behaviors.
» People need to know that the product is safe to handle and apply.
HOUSEHOLD INSIGHTS
BU
SINESS IN
SIGH
TSOPERATIONAL INSIGHTS
DESIGN PRINCIPLE:
If safety and adherence concerns cannot be addressed, treatment needs to be centralized.
BU
SINESS IN
SIGH
TS
» Some farmers associate hiring external help with a loss of control over their farming practices (and outcomes).
» Even at an affordable price point, people considered the idea of hiring labor to be a luxury, and perhaps needlessly extravagant.
» Hiring someone to empty a latrine is less desirable than hiring someone to transport and apply waste to crops.
SERVICE INSIGHTS
BU
SINESS IN
SIGH
TS
» Several people we spoke to mentioned that human waste is currently commoditized in other countries, so there is precedent for establishing a Cambodian market.
» Fertilizer sourced from Thailand and Vietnam already contains human waste; consider a similar integration with fertilizer production in Cambodia.
COMMODITIZATION INSIGHTS & PRINCIPLES
BU
SINESS
MO
DELS
» People recognized the potential for mass production under this system, but were wary of using it themselves.
» Mass production of public waste would require secondary processing to break connection between waste and fertilizer product.
SCALING INSIGHTS & PRINCIPLES
BU
SINESSES M
OD
ELS
KEY POINTS:
Opportunities:
» Excitement about cheaper, organic fertilizerEspecially FBA buy-in
» Potential for scale-upExisting public waste streams
Analogous market
Challenges:
» Adherence
» Safety & toxicity
» Waste stigma
Technical Feasibility
» Appropriate sanitation use, due to pathogen & odor reduction
» Appropriate for agricultural use, due to positive effects of pH increase on soil
» Lime-sludge mix requires homogenization and 2 hours of treatment to sterilize
» Importance of containment of potentially harmful substance
Operational Viability» Existing supply chain,
customer base, sales support
» Need to explore novel sourcing options to ensure quality control, optimize cost savings
» Potential for low cost treatment solution
Consumer Desirability» Willingness to adopt
new practices, especially cheap, organic solutions- need for procedural transparency
» Stigma against human waste use on HH consumption crops
» Importance of transformationBusiness Models
» Potential for scale-up» Need for additional
processing to increase acceptability
» Concerns about safety, adherence in HH model
KEY MESSAGES:
IMP
LEMEN
TATIO
NP
LAN
Next steps:
Supply chain
Treatment protocol
Fertilizer efficacy
Operationmodel
Pilot test
IMP
LEMEN
TATIO
NP
LAN
Supply Chain
Determine the type of lime iDE is currently
using
Quality control of existing product
Explore Cambodian
sourcing opportunities
IMP
LEMEN
TATIO
N P
LAN
• Laboratory testing• Fecal coliform, helminths
• Field testing• Method required for
adequate mixing
• WHO protocol for crop use
Ensure sterilization
• Testing of existing product
• Establish use guidelines
Ensure safety
Treatment Protocol
IMP
LEMEN
TATIO
N P
LAN
Fertilizer efficacy
Determine NPK ratio for chemical
fertilizer cost comparison
Soil testingDemonstration
plot
IMP
LEMEN
TATIO
N P
LAN
Determine operational
model
Household
Build container
Consumer testing
AdherenceSpecific efficacy
Entrepreneurial
Determine key resources
Set pricing
Identify entrepreneurs
EducationDefine
services provided
IMP
LEMEN
TATIO
N P
LAN
Research question & study scope
Determine Sample size
Recruit FBAs as target users
Create small-scale latrines and demo plots
•Both rice and vegetables
Bacterial testing
Pilot Test
User feedback
AC
KN
OW
LEDG
EMEN
TS
Team EZPZJohn Thomas
Peter Mulligan
Stanford XSEED and d.SchoolMy Le
Joan Dorsey
Rita Lonhart
Marlo Dreissigacker
iDE CambodiaYi Wei
Pisith Lim
Philip Charlesworth
Lida Seng
Special thanks to:Elyse Marr
THANKS TO:
QUESTIONS
HU
MA
N W
ASTE