Revolutionizing the traditional approach to sanitation

Nearly 15 years ago, Container-Based Sanitation (CBS) emerged in various parts of the world as an innovative solution to address the urgent crisis experienced by approximately 3.5 billion people globally, who still lack access to safe sanitation services, resulting in serious consequences for their health, well-being, and the environment. In Peru, this reality affects 1 in 4 people, and in Lima Metropolitan Area alone, it impacts over 128,000 households.

CBS is an effective off-grid sanitation alternative, particularly relevant for peri-urban areas with complex geography, scarce water resources, prone to natural disasters, and high population density.

In 2018, it was recognized by WHO and UNICEF as safe sanitation, and since then, several cities around the world have adopted it to reduce sanitation gaps.

The CBS service is safe and sustainable. It involves providing independent toilets and operates with a waste management system that includes collection, treatment, and reuse or final disposal. Being a solution of rapid installation and operation, it provides immediate well-being to people.

Various organizations around the world implement Container-Based Sanitation (CBS) as an alternative that contributes to ensuring safe, dignified, and sustainable sanitation for all.

These organizations are part of the Container-Based Sanitation Alliance (CBSA) and share the vision of a world where access to sanitation is not beyond the reach of families and communities. Through their work, they seek to contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: “Clean Water and Sanitation.”

Meet the member organizations of the CBSA:

Sanima is a founding member of the CBSA and a pioneer in South America implementing Container-Based Sanitation (CBS) as a proven and effective solution for urban areas globally.

With 12 years of uninterrupted operation, Sanima has positively impacted the well-being of over 7,500 people from more than 1,500 households located in over 240 urban human settlements in three districts of Lima, Peru: San Juan de Miraflores, Villa El Salvador, and Villa María del Triunfo. This work has significantly reduced health risks for people due to the use of pit latrines, increased their overall well-being, and minimized environmental pollution in their living environment.

Sanima firmly believes that the implementation of Container-Based Sanitation (CBS) service on a large scale can contribute to closing the sanitation provision gap in Peru. Therefore, it aims for this to be considered as part of the national public strategy for universal sanitation coverage.

1. Immediate well-being. As a solution of rapid installation and operation, CBS provides immediate well-being to users and is an alternative to guarantee their right to sanitation.
2. Cost-effective adaptability. In areas with complex geography, scarce water resources, and high population density, where sewerage works require much time and budget, CBS could be an intermediate alternative.
3. Accessibility. It is an alternative for people with physical disabilities, the elderly, and children, compared to pit latrines used in households without access to the water and sewerage network.
4. Relevance in the context of climate change. By not using critical resources like water and having a waste management system, CBS is a sustainable alternative.
5. Allows waste reuse. By having a waste management system, it allows the reuse of waste to generate products such as compost, biogas, fertilizers, animal feed, etc.
6. Local job opportunities. Due to the nature of its operation, CBS generates new job opportunities mainly at the local level.