Name
Advancing non-sewered sanitation through integrated human waste treatment and resource recovery
Description
The sustainable management of human-derived biosolids is becoming increasingly important as pressure on conventional wastewater and sanitation infrastructure grows. Non-sewered sanitation systems (NSSS) offer an alternative approach by enabling on-site treatment and resource recovery while reducing environmental impacts. This research, undertaken at Cranfield University under the Gates Foundation Reinvented Toilet Challenge, investigates a novel household-scale NSSS designed to treat solid and liquid waste streams separately within a single integrated unit, in accordance with ISO 30500 performance requirements. The system employs source separation followed by dedicated treatment processes for each waste stream. The solid fraction is treated through a low-emission torrefaction process, producing a stabilised, pathogen-safe, carbon-rich biochar with potential for beneficial reuse. The liquid fraction undergoes independent treatment to reduce organic pollutants and nutrient concentrations while producing an effluent suitable for safe environmental discharge. The integrated approach aims to minimise waste generation, reduce emissions associated with conventional sanitation systems, and promote resource recovery from human-derived biosolids. By transforming waste into potentially valuable products while achieving safe treatment standards, the system supports circular economy principles and contributes to more sustainable sanitation solutions. This work demonstrates the potential of household-scale non-sewered sanitation technologies to improve biosolids management, enhance environmental performance, and support future resource-efficient wastewater treatment strategies.
Authors
Serap Ozmen, Cranfield University, United Kingdom
Leon Williams and Chathumini Daundasekara