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0:00:00 > 0:00:01- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:00:01 > 0:00:05- The toilet is one of man's - most important inventions.
0:00:06 > 0:00:10- People live longer - in societies that have toilets.
0:00:11 > 0:00:16- We've already looked at the history - of lavatories and toilet humour.
0:00:16 > 0:00:20- But what about societies - that have no toilets?
0:00:20 > 0:00:25- I visit Bangladesh to see - how they deal with the problem.
0:00:27 > 0:00:30- I visit a research centre - in the Netherlands.
0:00:31 > 0:00:36- In the future, could microwaves - replace flush toilets?
0:00:46 > 0:00:51- A third of the world's population - live without toilets.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53- That's 2.6 billion people.
0:00:58 > 0:01:02- I've come to Bangladesh's - Mymensingh region...
0:01:02 > 0:01:05- ..to see the problem for myself.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15- More than 20 million Bangladeshis - live without a toilet.
0:01:15 > 0:01:21- They're forced to excrete in public, - as the health authorities put it.
0:01:21 > 0:01:25- To put it more bluntly, - they have to crap on the roadside.
0:01:32 > 0:01:36- Yes, these are human faeces, - where anyone can stand in them...
0:01:37 > 0:01:41- ..including the barefoot children - who play nearby.
0:01:41 > 0:01:45- It's no better - in the nearest village, Tarakanda.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56- Well, it's some sort of toilet.
0:01:56 > 0:02:01- There's nothing to prevent insects - from reaching the waste.
0:02:01 > 0:02:03- Look how close we are to the lake...
0:02:04 > 0:02:09- ..which villagers use - for water to wash.
0:02:10 > 0:02:12- Children play near it.
0:02:13 > 0:02:17- One and a half million children - die every year...
0:02:18 > 0:02:22- ..from diseases that are carried - in unclean water.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25- But this terrible situation - could change.
0:02:30 > 0:02:32- BRAC, the Bangladesh - Rural Aid Committee...
0:02:33 > 0:02:38- ..has set up a scheme in 150 areas - around the country...
0:02:39 > 0:02:41- ..to provide toilets for the people.
0:02:43 > 0:02:48- I went to the Hobirbari region - to see the scheme at work.
0:02:49 > 0:02:51- This is a toilet factory...
0:02:51 > 0:02:55- ..and this - is a very basic flush toilet.
0:02:55 > 0:03:00- You buy three concrete slabs, - dig a hole in the ground...
0:03:01 > 0:03:06- ..place the slabs inside to prevent - the sides from collapsing...
0:03:06 > 0:03:10- ..then place a circular slab - on top of it.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13- There are two bricks to stand on...
0:03:13 > 0:03:18- ..and a funnel - to channel the waste into the hole.
0:03:18 > 0:03:23- That in itself is merely - a sophisticated hole in the ground.
0:03:24 > 0:03:25- But...
0:03:26 > 0:03:30- ..you then add this gadget, - the water trap.
0:03:31 > 0:03:36- You flush the waste down - and over the trap.
0:03:36 > 0:03:42- The trap fills with water - which neutralizes odours...
0:03:42 > 0:03:48- ..and stops insects - from getting to the waste.
0:03:49 > 0:03:53- For 15 taka, or 12p...
0:03:54 > 0:03:59- ..a hole in the ground - becomes a basic flush toilet.
0:04:02 > 0:04:06- The toilet is flushed - with a bucket of water.
0:04:06 > 0:04:11- There's no need for expensive, - and maybe impractical, water pipes.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14- Keeping things simple is the goal.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18- This is the bathroom showroom.
0:04:18 > 0:04:22- The factory workers - show potential buyers...
0:04:22 > 0:04:25- ..how to assemble - what they've bought.
0:04:26 > 0:04:30- It's a two-hole design - consisting of six concrete circles.
0:04:30 > 0:04:35- Three are placed in the ground - and three are placed here.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38- This one is full...
0:04:38 > 0:04:44- ..so they moved the wooden building - and the slab with the hole here.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48- They cap this off - so that it can compost.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52- This is the working toilet.
0:04:53 > 0:04:57- Buying everything, - the six concrete circles...
0:04:57 > 0:05:01- ..a slab like that, a slab with - the hole, the wooden building...
0:05:01 > 0:05:05- ..costs 2,000 taka, or 17.
0:05:06 > 0:05:10- Five million have been sold - all over Bangladesh.
0:05:10 > 0:05:14- If we assume five people - use each one...
0:05:14 > 0:05:18- ..that means - 25 million Bangladeshis...
0:05:18 > 0:05:23- ..will have access to a toilet - for the first time in their lives.
0:05:23 > 0:05:28- Remarkably, this has all happened - during the last four years.
0:05:33 > 0:05:39- What persuaded so many - to change their habits?
0:05:40 > 0:05:44- BRAC realized that the people - had to want to change.
0:05:44 > 0:05:50- They encouraged villages to set up - committees dedicated to hygiene.
0:05:52 > 0:05:56- The first task is finding out - where people go to the toilet.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59- The information - is recorded on a large map.
0:06:00 > 0:06:05- People then realize how much - human waste is in their village...
0:06:05 > 0:06:11- ..being carried into their homes, - polluting their drinking water.
0:06:11 > 0:06:15- Before long, new toilets - begin to appear in the village.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19- It's an effective strategy. - Is this a toilet?
0:06:23 > 0:06:25- A good-quality toilet?
0:06:25 > 0:06:26- Yes!
0:06:28 > 0:06:30- But what if everyone - can't afford a toilet?
0:06:33 > 0:06:37- BRAC provides assistance - to people like Bhuban Home.
0:06:37 > 0:06:41- He has deviated - from the original design.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46- I built this a few months ago.
0:06:47 > 0:06:52- I built the walls out of mud rather - than bamboo, so they're more solid.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57- It started to rain - before I could finish it.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01- I'll build a foot higher - when it's dry again.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04- Then tall people - won't have to stoop to walk in!
0:07:07 > 0:07:12- The BRAC scheme is called WASH, - Water And Sanitary Hygiene.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15- It's implemented - in schools and villages...
0:07:16 > 0:07:20- ..as I discovered - at Sonar Bangla school.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30- It looks quite ordinary.
0:07:31 > 0:07:37- But until recently, there was only - one toilet for the girls and boys.
0:07:37 > 0:07:42- Girls of menstruating age - tended to stop coming to school.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47- Two years ago, this toilet - was built, just for the girls.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50- Staff and students were trained...
0:07:51 > 0:07:55- ..to break down the taboo - surrounding the subject.
0:07:55 > 0:08:00- Only 10% of Bangladesh schools have - separate toilets for girls and boys.
0:08:01 > 0:08:06- WASH has enabled 4,000 new schools - to build separate toilets for girls.
0:08:07 > 0:08:11- To ensure pupils understand - the importance of their upkeep...
0:08:12 > 0:08:17- ..they form committees, - or student brigades.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20- Why establish the student brigade?
0:08:21 > 0:08:25- The student brigade was formed...
0:08:25 > 0:08:29- ..to make sure the toilets - are cleaned properly.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33- The student brigade has 12 members.
0:08:33 > 0:08:38- We want to change the attitude - of the whole school...
0:08:38 > 0:08:41- ..and make sure - the toilets improve.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48- How has having separate toilets...
0:08:48 > 0:08:52- ..affected the girls' attendance?
0:08:52 > 0:08:58- Yes, absenteeism - has reduced greatly.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02- There has been an 80% improvement.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06- Having separate toilets - encourages us to come to school...
0:09:07 > 0:09:12- ..even after - we reach menstruating age.
0:09:15 > 0:09:20- Do you enjoy being a part - of the student brigade?
0:09:20 > 0:09:24- Yes!
0:09:24 > 0:09:26- Thank you.
0:09:27 > 0:09:31- It's vital for people to understand - the importance of hygiene...
0:09:32 > 0:09:34- ..and that they change their ways.
0:09:37 > 0:09:42- WASH committees have been formed - in 39,000 Bangladeshi villages...
0:09:43 > 0:09:45- ..during the last four years.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49- It's important - they appeal to all ages...
0:09:50 > 0:09:52- ..and to girls as much as boys.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57- This is a kishori meeting - of local adolescent girls.
0:09:57 > 0:10:02- They meet separately to discuss - the upkeep of toilets...
0:10:02 > 0:10:06- ..and general menstruation advice.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10- The situation is improving - in rural Bangladesh.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12- But what about the cities?
0:10:21 > 0:10:24- After the break, - I venture to Dhaka's slums...
0:10:24 > 0:10:30- ..and see how other countries - are tackling this huge problem.
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0:10:34 > 0:10:34- Subtitles
0:10:34 > 0:10:36- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:10:44 > 0:10:45- This is Dhaka.
0:10:45 > 0:10:50- It's estimated Dhaka's population - will reach 20 million by 2015.
0:10:51 > 0:10:56- Many have flocked to live in slums - like this one behind me.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01- Korail is home to 100,000 people.
0:11:05 > 0:11:11- This slum is adjacent to Gulshan, - one of Dhaka's wealthiest areas.
0:11:12 > 0:11:17- People are drawn here hoping - to find office or domestic work.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20- Korail is expanding so rapidly...
0:11:20 > 0:11:24- ..that rubbish is illegally dumped - in the lake every night...
0:11:25 > 0:11:28- ..to create more space - to build houses.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33- The lake is also used as a toilet.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47- This is a toilet at its most basic.
0:11:48 > 0:11:53- The hole leads directly - into the lake.
0:11:54 > 0:11:59- Because it's a lake, - there's no water to take it away.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02- The water level is very low.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07- Korail is home - to some 100,000 people.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10- It's one of Bangladesh's - biggest slums.
0:12:11 > 0:12:16- But because they're squatters - and have no right to be here...
0:12:16 > 0:12:21- ..people are reluctant to invest - in good-quality toilets.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26- People are unwilling to invest.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31- As a result, people are forced - to live with toilets...
0:12:31 > 0:12:34- ..that are frankly disgusting.
0:12:45 > 0:12:51- I was told some of the toilets - have been here for over 20 years.
0:12:52 > 0:12:56- With the high level of migration - from rural areas...
0:12:56 > 0:13:00- ..it's hard to see them - disappearing for a while.
0:13:00 > 0:13:04- But not everyone - does their business like this.
0:13:08 > 0:13:12- This is one - of Korail's best toilets.
0:13:13 > 0:13:17- It has solid walls - and a jug of water for flushing.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22- It's used by 12 families - who help look after it.
0:13:23 > 0:13:27- Toilets of this standard - are a rarity in Korail.
0:13:32 > 0:13:36- The majority use a hole like this. - Its surface is clean.
0:13:36 > 0:13:41- But there's no water trap to prevent - insects from getting to the waste.
0:13:41 > 0:13:47- They land straight on food - and spread diseases.
0:13:53 > 0:13:58- Areas like Korail - face massive problems.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02- But with the proven success - of rural toilets...
0:14:03 > 0:14:06- ..BRAC, the Bangladesh - Rural Aid Committee...
0:14:06 > 0:14:11- ..intends to focus - on the cities and slums.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19- Supplying toilets - for the poor of the cities...
0:14:20 > 0:14:22- ..isn't as simple as it appears.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25- The problem is so much bigger.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28- The population is also more mobile.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30- You could map Dhaka's slums...
0:14:31 > 0:14:34- ..but with so many huts - being built every day...
0:14:34 > 0:14:38- ..it would be out of date - within months, if not weeks.
0:14:38 > 0:14:43- You could elect people to serve on - local committees, like in villages.
0:14:43 > 0:14:48- But there's no guarantee - that they will remain living there.
0:14:48 > 0:14:53- They could return to the country - or move to a better place in Dhaka.
0:14:54 > 0:15:00- Adapting the BRAC scheme for cities - is a daunting prospect.
0:15:03 > 0:15:07- When these problems were tackled - in London in the 1850s...
0:15:07 > 0:15:12- ..they built a system of sewers - which still serve the city today.
0:15:13 > 0:15:18- It's unlikely Bangladesh - can afford such an engineering feat.
0:15:19 > 0:15:24- Even if they had the money, - it would be totally unsustainable...
0:15:24 > 0:15:28- ..because of the amount of water - it would require.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31- It's a huge challenge.
0:15:32 > 0:15:36- Major figures from all walks of life - have met the challenge.
0:15:36 > 0:15:41- They include - the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
0:15:42 > 0:15:46- They have supported many projects - in Asia, including BRAC.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51- But because - of their computer backgrounds...
0:15:51 > 0:15:57- ..it's hardly surprising - they'd seek a radical solution...
0:15:57 > 0:15:59- ..to help the billions - with no toilets.
0:16:00 > 0:16:06- They're seeking to revolutionize - the way we all go to the toilet.
0:16:06 > 0:16:10- Frank Rijsberman - is the project director.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13- The toilet - is the greatest innovation.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16- It has saved more lives - than any other.
0:16:16 > 0:16:17- It was developed in 1775.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21- We should have come up - with something smarter!
0:16:21 > 0:16:24- Isn't it crazy - that we use drinking water...
0:16:24 > 0:16:28- ..as a transport medium - through very expensive pipes...
0:16:29 > 0:16:32- ..to spend more energy - to get the waste out?
0:16:32 > 0:16:37- Can't modern engineering - come up with a solution...
0:16:37 > 0:16:42- ..that says this is waste, - but there's a lot of energy in it.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44- Fertilizer, nutrients.
0:16:44 > 0:16:48- Can we recover them, - use that to pay for the process...
0:16:48 > 0:16:51- ..and make it safe - and pleasant to use?
0:16:51 > 0:16:55- That's why we want to develop - the cellphone of sanitation.
0:16:57 > 0:17:02- We sat down with scientific - advisers, visionary people...
0:17:02 > 0:17:07- ..and reinvented the toilet, - a little black box...
0:17:07 > 0:17:10- ..independent of water, - sewers and electricity.
0:17:11 > 0:17:15- It'll be pleasant to use, - will turn shit into energy...
0:17:15 > 0:17:18- ..and use that energy - to power the system.
0:17:18 > 0:17:22- We wrote that down and said, - "Look, that's the toilet we want."
0:17:23 > 0:17:25- We asked 22 universities, - "Can you make it?"
0:17:27 > 0:17:31- Is such a revolutionary toilet - possible?
0:17:32 > 0:17:35- At Delft University - in the Netherlands...
0:17:35 > 0:17:39- ..scientists - are working on a design...
0:17:39 > 0:17:43- ..sponsored by - the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
0:17:43 > 0:17:47- They hope to use microwaves - to get rid of waste...
0:17:47 > 0:17:50- ..and produce electricity.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54- What the microwaves do - is generate plasma.
0:17:54 > 0:17:59- It's a really hot gas, ionized gas - that can destroy anything.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03- The plasma will gasify - the faecal matter.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06- If we obtain - really high-quality gas...
0:18:06 > 0:18:09- ..we can obtain enough energy - to make this work.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12- To summarize the theory...
0:18:13 > 0:18:16- ..microwaves will be passed - through the waste...
0:18:16 > 0:18:19- ..creating a very hot gas - called plasma.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21- That's what's in the tube.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24- The plasma is used - to make electricity.
0:18:24 > 0:18:28- The electricity will be used - to create the microwaves.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31- It's like one big wheel.
0:18:31 > 0:18:36- To keep that wheel turning, - all that's needed is our waste.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40- In the future...
0:18:40 > 0:18:44- ..they hope something like this - will happen in every toilet.
0:18:45 > 0:18:49- We're only satisfied when millions - of people use these solutions.
0:18:49 > 0:18:54- We want to have a solution that - can spread virally, like wildfire.
0:18:54 > 0:18:58- Within 3-5 years, we should - have toilets that people can use.
0:18:58 > 0:19:02- In 5-10 years, we want to see - millions of people using them.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05- That's our goal, frankly.
0:19:09 > 0:19:13- The flush toilet undoubtedly - answered an age-old problem.
0:19:13 > 0:19:17- But with water - becoming increasingly scarce...
0:19:17 > 0:19:21- ..is the age of the flush toilet - coming to an end?
0:19:26 > 0:19:29- Maybe we'll look back - at flush toilets...
0:19:29 > 0:19:31- ..as a footnote in our history.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33- A wrong turn, as it were...
0:19:33 > 0:19:38- ..on our quest - for sustainable waste disposal.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43- There was one final toilet to see...
0:19:43 > 0:19:47- ..before my journey - around the world's toilets ended.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50- I headed to Felin Uchaf in Lleyn.
0:19:51 > 0:19:56- Here, alternative technology - is used and developed.
0:19:56 > 0:20:00- They had also built a toilet - which doesn't use water.
0:20:00 > 0:20:01- How are you, Dafydd?
0:20:01 > 0:20:03- How are you, Dafydd?- - Welcome to Felin Uchaf.
0:20:03 > 0:20:04- Thank you.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07- Thank you.- - And welcome to our compost toilet.
0:20:08 > 0:20:09- Let's see how it works.
0:20:09 > 0:20:10- Let's see how it works.- - Come in.
0:20:13 > 0:20:15- Here it is.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18- It looks very conventional.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20- It looks very conventional.- - Yes.
0:20:20 > 0:20:24- This is how we use it.
0:20:24 > 0:20:29- It's like - a conventional toilet seat.
0:20:30 > 0:20:31- It doesn't smell at all.
0:20:31 > 0:20:32- It doesn't smell at all.- - No.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34- Once you've finished...
0:20:36 > 0:20:38- ..you lift this...
0:20:38 > 0:20:42- ..and throw in a handful - of sawdust, hay or hemp...
0:20:43 > 0:20:45- ..whatever's available.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48- You throw it down...
0:20:49 > 0:20:53- ..close the lid - and let the bacteria break it down.
0:20:54 > 0:20:58- There's no liquid down there. - It is then separated.
0:20:58 > 0:21:02- A pipe takes it out - to the soakaway outside.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05- How big is the chamber under here?
0:21:05 > 0:21:07- There are two chambers.
0:21:07 > 0:21:12- One chamber reaches down - four feet below us.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16- When that is filled...
0:21:16 > 0:21:18- ..in about a year's time...
0:21:19 > 0:21:21- ..we'll remove the seat...
0:21:22 > 0:21:24- ..and move it here.
0:21:24 > 0:21:29- We'll cap it, - and leave it alone for a year.
0:21:29 > 0:21:35- Once it's full, we move it back, - cap it and let that break down.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37- What's in this chamber?
0:21:37 > 0:21:39- What's in this chamber?- - This was filled last year.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43- It has rested for a year, - so it's ready to take out.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45- Let's get a spade!
0:21:49 > 0:21:54- My journey around the world's - toilets opened my eyes...
0:21:54 > 0:21:56- ..to the importance of toilets...
0:21:57 > 0:22:01- ..and how our toilets - reveal so much about us.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05- But at the end of the journey, - I'm back where I started.
0:22:06 > 0:22:10- I began by describing my aunt - and uncle's outside toilet...
0:22:10 > 0:22:13- ..in Pontrhydfendigaid.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16- They used ashes from the fire, - not sawdust or hay.
0:22:16 > 0:22:21- But it seems they were possibly - ahead of their time.
0:22:21 > 0:22:23- This certainly does not stink.
0:22:26 > 0:22:31- I'm relieved I don't have to use - a toilet on bamboo legs in Dhaka.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35- I wouldn't mind - owning a Japanese toilet...
0:22:35 > 0:22:38- ..with a heated seat - and water to clean my bum.
0:22:39 > 0:22:41- I look forward to the day...
0:22:41 > 0:22:45- ..when my toilet - creates energy for my home.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48- But until then...
0:22:48 > 0:22:52- ..I quite like the idea of taking - a wheelbarrow of waste compost...
0:22:53 > 0:22:56- ..and scattering it - in the orchard...
0:22:56 > 0:23:01- ..to complete the circle - of food to waste and back to food.
0:23:18 > 0:23:20- S4C Subtitles by Gwead
0:23:20 > 0:23:20- .