Browsing by Author "Toolaram, Anju"

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    Field testing of a prototype mechanical dry toilet flush
    (Elsevier, 2019-02-17) Hennigs, Jan; Ravndal, Kristin T.; Blose, Thubelihle; Toolaram, Anju; Sindall, Rebecca C.; Barrington, Dani J.; Collins, Matt; Engineer, Bhavin; Kolios, Athanasios J.; McAdam, Ewan; Parker, Alison; Williams, Leon; Tyrrel, Sean
    A prototype of a non-fluid based mechanical toilet flush was tested in a semi-public, institutional setting and in selected peri-urban households in eThekwini municipality, Republic of South Africa. The mechanism's functionality and users' perception of the flush were assessed. User perception varied depending on background: Users accustomed to porcelain water flush toilets were open to, yet reserved about the idea of using a waterless flush in their homes. Those who commonly use Urine Diversion Dehydration Toilets were far more receptive. The user-centred field trials were complemented by a controlled laboratory experiment, using synthetic urine, -faeces, and -menstrual blood, to systematically assess the efficiency of three swipe materials to clean the rotating bowl of the flush. A silicone rubber with oil-bleed-effect was found to be the best performing material for the swipe. Lubrication of the bowl prior to use further reduced fouling. A mechanical waterless flush that does not require consumables, like plastic wrappers, is a novelty and could – implemented in existing dry toilet systems – improve acceptance and thus the success of waterless sanitation.
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    A gender lens into sanitation technology innovation
    (ASCE, 2020-04-02) Elledge, Myles; Parker, Alison; Toolaram, Anju; Stoner, Brian
    Innovators in the water and sanitation sector are focused on closing the sanitation gap in developing countries through innovation in technologies that enable waste treatment onsite. To ensure universal access, these technologies need to meet the practices and preferences of different genders. This paper uses an online survey and follow-up telephone interviews with technology developers and examined the different technology development processes through a gender lens. The paper also explores the influence of the composition of the research and development teams on gender considerations in the project because the water and sanitation technology world is often male-dominated. The majority of the teams incorporated gender considerations, although with limited depth. Teams designing user interfaces and toilet cabin stalls were most likely to integrate gender. Waste-processing technologies are often assumed to be neutral, not requiring gender considerations. Technology development teams were predominately male, although with some female representation; a few have female leaders.