Humanitarian International Design Organisation (HIDO)

Cooler Solutions’ “Dignity Toilet” wins international design competition by providing sanitation for those in need

Sustainable green product design granted the International HIDO (Humanitarian International Design Organization) Design Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Toronto, Canada and Golfe Juan, France – November 27, 2007– Today, Cooler Solutions, a product design firm specializing in sustainable and health product innovations and HIDO, the Humanitarian International Design Organization, announced that Cooler Solutions has received the HIDO International Design Award. The Award was granted for their ground-breaking ‘Dignity Toilet’, a portable sanitation solution ideal for refugee camps and developing countries. Cooler Solutions developed this unique design as a part of their focus on sustainable product solutions. Images of the product can be found at http://www.coolersolutionsinc.com/pdf/CoolerSolutions-HIDO-DignityToilet.pdf

The dignity toilet is a solid waste storage and disposal system for locations where a sanitation infrastructure does not exist. It addresses the issues of sanitation compliance, health and personal dignity. The Dignity Toilet provides sanitary storage for solid waste for four people for approximately 7 – 10 days. After that period, the toilet is removed from its dock and taken to a controlled area. It’s then manually augered into the soil where it evacuates its contents, mixes the waste with soil and buries it in the ground for decomposition.

“As designers we feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to use our experience to assist the hundreds of millions of people who live without basic sanitation. It is especially relevant at this time of year as we celebrate and give thanks for everything that we have, that we think about how we can make a meaningful contribution to all the families who are struggling to simply live,” said Terence Woodside, Partner, Cooler Solutions. “We’re honored that this new Dignity Toilet design was awarded the International HIDO Design award and hope that this product innovation will be a help to control the spread of disease and contamination caused by unsafe sanitary practices.”

“We believe that the solution offered by Cooler Solutions can create a chain reaction,” said Alexandra Fraraccio, HIDO. “It will not only tackle the lack of sanitary facilities in developing countries, but at the same time improve hygiene and decrease diseases caused by faeces lingering in many of the world’s slums and infecting drinkable water. This solution could be THE step forward to a healthier and more dignified life.”
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