Elephant toilet wins this year
An innovative and sustainable sanitation solution, the Elephant Toilet, which could benefit millions of people across Africa, and beyond, has won this year’s St Andrews Prize for the Environment. It benefits from simple design and construction, which can be adapted to use local building materials, and in which local communities can be easily trained.
At a ceremony in the University of St Andrews today, Ian Thorpe was presented on behalf of his development team, with the winning prize of $75,000, and a medal. Ian said: “I am delighted with this win which will enable the team to install over one thousand Elephant Toilets, as a pilot programme, to benefit over 20,000 people in southern Malawi.”
The St Andrews Prize is an environmental initiative by the University of St Andrews, which attracts scholars of international repute and carries out world-class teaching and research, and ConocoPhillips, one of the world’s largest integrated energy companies, with operations in more than 40 countries.
Sir Crispin Tickell, Chairman of the St Andrews Prize for the Environment Trustees, says: “The Prize is going from strength to strength. It is now in its tenth year and we are delighted that is has become so well established and continues to attract such a range of innovative projects from all over the world. We are looking for entrepreneurs on behalf of the environment – applicants able to champion original and innovative environmental ideas which they can show to be realistic and realisable and which take account of social and economic implications.”
This year’s runners-up, each presented with a cheque for $25,000 were:
- The FOODTUBES™ project which is still at the concept stage and aims to design and build an energy saving pipeline capsule goods transportation system.
- The slow pyrolysis process which has risen to today’s global greenhouse challenge by being the only technology to remove more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than it emits – a world first for energy generation technology.
Full details on each of the finalists’ projects at
www.thestandrewsprize.com Dr Brian Lang, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of St Andrews says: “For over six centuries the University has upheld a tradition of academic excellence, and our association with the Prize adds weight to our reputation as a world leader in the field of sustainability and environmental studies.”
“Recognising innovative ideas that will help protect our environment and improve the lives of our fellow citizens through the St Andrews Prize allows us to reward outstanding and environmentally conscious individuals and groups who help make the world a better place, " says Paul Warwick, President, Europe and West Africa, ConocoPhillips.
The Prize has attracted entries on topics as diverse as sustainable development in the Amazon and Central American rainforests, urban re-generation, recycling, health and water issues and renewable energy, since its launch in 1998.
See the full list of previous winners and details about the Prize trustees on
www.thestandrewsprize.com Contact
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