RURAL SANITATION CHALLENGES: GATHERING A MULTI-STAKEHOLDER PERSPECTIVE IN YUNNAN, CHINA

Authors

  • Angela Ni US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Keywords:

Biodigester, public health, rural health

Abstract

This paper examines the adoption and use of “biodigesters”, a simple waste-to-energy toilet technology in China. Through interviews with stakeholders directly involved and impacted by water and sanitation development in southwestern China, this paper explores the incentives and barriers to scaling-up biodigesters in rural China. It further examines the extent to which biodigesters are in-line with China’s national and local public health priorities, as well opportunities to establish best practices in the emerging private and not-for-profit sectors.  After four decades of use in China, the successes and shortcomings of biodigesters are known, and the experience offers valuable lessons to worldwide rural health development and sanitation campaigns.

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Published

2015-04-01

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Section

Perspective