The Arborloo - speeding up nutrient recycling
Arborloos like this one are popular in Malawi
© Remi Kaupp
The Arborloo is a simple, fast way for villagers to turn human toilet waste into highly fertile soil, suitable for tree planting, vegetables or whatever they choose to grow. Using full pit latrines for planting trees is common in parts of Africa. The Arborloo, which can be easily built using local materials and at very low cost, refines the concept. Arborloo pits are shallower and easier to dig. Adding soil or ash after using the toilet dramatically speeds up the transformation from toilet waste into fertile compost. Within 3-6 months a family may start a new pit, and the old one will soon be ready for planting. In The Arborloo: speeding up nutrient recycling Alex Oduor and Peter Morgan, passionate advocates of the Arborloo, explain all.
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