I am involved in an activity (rock climbing) where waste management presents – er – messy issues! Though we have many options for waste disposal, they all involve bags that are completely non-bio-degradable, though effective. I have been actively seeking different options for our sport and this one definitely has my attention. Or even for forced rest-stops on drives.

I am intrigued with the applicability of these bags in such situations. One thing that immediately struck my notice, having experienced “bag toilets” is the narrowness of the opening—and it sounds like that has been acknowledged. But I think were that rectified, these bags could have a use in the outdoor industry as well. And perhaps by marketing them to the outdoor enthusiast, income could be generated to the point of funding the dispensation of bags in communities that are in desperate need of immediate, albeit not long-term, waste management.

I don’t think so.

Also, the list of “cons” is longer than the one of “pros”.

Re: scientific research: yes, agree, much more research needed. Will you do it?

I would like to see a scientific study that investigates the elimination of pathogens and helminth ova in situ, this means under actual conditions in Bangladesh, etc. So far, there are only results presented under laboratory conditions from Sweden; as far as I understand not even with ‘human’ helminth ova, put from pigs only.

It is an ethical question to test something first thoroughly before recommending it to people (one thing I observe which is quite common in the SuSan scene). Regards, Allan

thanks a lot for the very informative article, as you know I was never a big fan of the peepoo bags.

I had once a interesting lecture at TU Dresden providing objective information about Peepoo bag to a group of environmental managers from developing countries from Africa and Asia. In a group work, the students also collected besides applicability pros & cons (much more cons). The interesting point was that the biggest criticism was financial nature: Why should people pay for a biodegradable flying toilet if they get plastic bags for free? As long as there is no willingness-to-pay for peepoos, it will be no sustainable system.

Another con from my current work: As peepoos make sanitation a solid waste problem, you also need a working collection systems. As solid waste is still burnt in many slums, how can you avoid burning of peepoos?

Cheers,
sbr