Engineers without Borders – University of Minnesota

Haiti Project Abstract:

With a wealth of uncollected recyclable plastic and only 30% of Haitians having access to improved sanitation, Engineers Without Borders – University of Minnesota (EWB-UMN) and S.O.I.L. are partnering to comprehensively address these conditions. This project has two focus areas.

The first is the design of safe, locally constructible batch systems for recycling of plastic water sachets in Haiti for re-melting into toilet molds to be used in S.O.I.L.’s dry composting sanitation systems and in other products including sandals and sporting equipment. For a video made by EWB-UM click here.

An important goal of this focus, beyond addressing needs of waste disposal and sanitation, is to promote locals to transform their pervasive plastic overburden into profitable enterprise, reducing input of new plastic into their environment by employing incentive for material collection.

The second focus is the design of indoor sanitation systems. This design will incorporate the toilet mold and will bring economical dry composting sanitary systems into the homes of Haitians. S.O.I.L will then provide our indoor sanitation designs to disadvantaged Haitian communities.

Chapter Background:

Engineers Without Borders at the University of Minnesota is a student-run, student-led organization with a mission to organize and promote local and global civic engagement projects. Our group partners with professional engineers who are members of the professional EWB chapter in Minnesota. EWB-UMN, part of the national organization Engineers Without Borders-USA, formed in early 2005 and since has completed projects in Guatemala and Ghana. Along with the project in Haiti, our chapter is currently working on water supply and sanitation projects in Guatemala and Uganda.