Bangladesh Toilet Association (BTA)
The Bangladesh Toilet Association (BTA) is envisioned as a dedicated body to improve sanitation, hygiene, and toilet culture in Bangladesh.
Its mission is to:
Promote access to modern, hygienic toilets for all citizens.
Encourage behavior change to sustain hygiene practices.
Adopt global best practices, including Japanese toilet technology, to meet international standards.
70 million people (41% of the population) lack access to decent toilets.
65.5 million people lack basic hygiene facilities at home.
Only 1% of water, sanitation, and health (WASH) funding is spent on hygiene education.
Diseases like cholera, diarrhea, and COVID-19 spread rapidly in poor sanitation environments.
Key Problem Statement:
Bangladesh has made progress in reducing open defecation, but toilet quality, maintenance, and hygiene practices remain far below global standards.
3. Historical Overview of Sanitation in Bangladesh
Period
Situation
Key Characteristics
Past (Before 2000)
Open defecation common
Limited toilet facilities, low awareness
Progress Phase (2000–2015)
Nationwide sanitation campaigns
Pit latrine adoption, decline in open defecation
Present (Post-2015)
Increased toilet access but poor quality
Unhygienic pits, poor maintenance, unsafe sludge disposal
4. Current Toilet Types by Socioeconomic Category
Category
Typical Facilities
Challenges
Rich
Modern flush toilets, some with bidet systems
Low adoption of eco-friendly models
Middle Class
Basic flush or semi-modern systems
Irregular cleaning & maintenance
Lower Class
Pit latrines, often shared
Poor hygiene, privacy issues, unsafe for women & children
Infrastructure Gaps – Weak structures, flood-prone designs, no proper waste treatment.
Behavioral Issues – Poor toilet cleaning habits, low handwashing rates.
Funding Imbalance – Hygiene promotion severely underfunded.
Urban Public Toilet Shortage – Insufficient, unsafe, or poorly maintained facilities.
Inequality – Lower-income groups disproportionately affected.
6. Strategies for Improvement
6.1 Infrastructure Development
Build durable, flood-resilient toilets.
Ensure safe waste management and treatment.
Upgrade rural pit latrines to improved hygienic models.
6.2 Behavior Change Programs
Nationwide hygiene awareness campaigns.
School-based education programs.
Community-led toilet cleaning initiatives.
6.3 Public-Private Partnerships
6.4 Government & NGO Collaboration
7. Adoption of Japanese Toilet Technology
Why Japanese Toilets?
Hygienic – Self-cleaning, germ-resistant designs.
Water-efficient – Lower water consumption than traditional flush systems.
Inclusive – Accessible for elderly, disabled, and children.
Eco-friendly – Waste recycling and composting options.
Examples for Bangladesh:
SATO pans for low-cost hygienic sealing in rural toilets.
Water-saving flush mechanisms for urban areas.
Bidet attachments for enhanced hygiene.
8. Implementation Roadmap
Phase
Action
Duration
Phase 1
Sanitation needs assessment
6 months
Phase 2
Pilot projects in rural schools, hospitals, markets
1 year
Phase 3
Technology transfer & training programs
1–2 years
Phase 4
Nationwide rollout with government & private sector
3–5 years
Reduction in sanitation-related diseases.
Improved dignity, privacy, and safety.
Economic benefits from healthier communities.
Alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goal 6.
Bangladesh has eliminated open defecation but must now move towards modern, safe, and hygienic toilets for all.
A Bangladesh Toilet Association can coordinate stakeholders, promote innovative solutions, and raise sanitation to global standards through strategic partnerships, behavior change, and adoption of proven technologies like those from Japan.
11. Reference
Analysis and Management of Urban Public Toilet in Dhaka South City Corporation
Digitalising public toilets – Bhumijo’s affordable smart toilets in Bangladesh
Improving Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene in Bangladesh: Challenges, Solutions, and Entrepreneurial Opportunities
In Bangladesh, new latrines meet a tested business model
