Pune: LIXIL, maker of pioneering water and housing products, has partnered with Toilet Board Coalition (TBC) to host Global Sanitation Economy Summit in Pune, India recently. With a vision to provide safe sanitation to 100 mn people across the world by 2025; LIXIL along with TBC has committed to draw attention to people in rural and peri-urban areas which do not have safe or adequate sanitation- through a first-of-its-kind, four-day, multi-stakeholder Summit. The Summit brought together business, investment and sanitation leaders from around the world working at the forefront of the Sanitation Economy to showcase solutions and share best practice.
Erin McCusker, Chief Strategy Officer of SATO, LIXIL was appointed as Chairperson of the Toilet Board Coalition (Global), responsible for showcasing the vast potential of the Sanitation Economy for global economic growth and achieving universal access to improved safely-managed sanitation.
On the occasion of World Toilet Day 2019, the Toilet Board Coalition also announced formation of its India chapter, named Toilet Board Coalition India Association to further underscore its commitment towards resolving India’s sanitation crisis. Priyanka Tanwar, Head of Public Affairs, LIXIL Asia Pacific, has been appointed as the steering committee member and Director at the Board of the Coalition’s India Chapter.
Attending the Summit Priyanka said; “At LIXIL, our corporate responsibility (CR) initiatives are focussed on our three strategic pillars that cover global issues requiring urgent action and are closely linked to our field of business. Aligned with the United Nation’s Sustainability Goals, these pillars are Global Sanitation and Hygiene, Water Conservation and Environmental Sustainability, and Diversity and Inclusion. At LIXIL we take our commitment seriously to address these matters that require urgent action to make a positive impact in the communities in which we operate.”
She added; “The Sanitation Economy presents vast potential for global economic growth while addressing one of the most urgent grand challenges of our time. It is estimated at $62 billion market annually in India alone by 2021 and there are tremendous market opportunities for various business lines to benefit from the sanitation economy. Hence we are excited by the TBC India Association and the potential of change it holds for this country.”
Globally LIXIL is contributing to improved sanitation for all, through CRM, fundraising, and most importantly through SATO toilet solutions, which is developed as a cost effective solution specifically for developing economies. SATO has strengthened LIXIL’s efforts to resolve sanitation issues through revolutionary products and a sustainable business approach. To date, 3 million units have been shipped to over 27 countries, improving sanitation for 15 million people.
In January 2018, LIXIL rolled out the new ‘tailored’, SATO series of toilets in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. This was followed by successful launches across eight other Indian states. The new generation of SATO V-Trap toilets, a twin-pit pour-flush latrine that is easy to install and is fitted by local masons; has been innovatively designed to address the challenges faced by India. These toilets incorporate a simple yet innovative self-closing trap door which effectively reduces transmission of disease and minimizes odor, making the toilet safer and more pleasant to use. The twin-pit system also helps in minimizing clogging and allows for water conservation, as it uses less than one litre of water per flush. SATO units are suitable for use with direct and offset pit installations, septic tanks, sewered connections and water-based containment systems. They can also be utilized in new construction or can be retro fitted into existing latrines to provide an easy, inexpensive upgrade.
