Poor condition of public toilets in the country has been a topic for discourse among people- most often, informally. But now such a scenario is changing for the better. Bhutan Toilet Organisation (BTO), one of Bhutan’s first non-profit organisations, has committed towards building a sensible toilet culture in the country.
Informally founded in 2014, the organisation’s objective is to inspire and empower individuals and communities through education, advocacy and social initiatives about toilet culture. The organisation started managing public toilets during major events like religious ceremonies and public gatherings.
Besides cleaning the public toilets in the country, the BTO also set up portable and removable toilets made out of wood and traditional interlocking system.
“We built three different types of portable toilets to be taken during festivals, all wooden or ply board. And they are doing well but they are not built to last or they not suitable for certain places,” said the Founder of BTO, Passang Tshering.
When it comes to budgeting, he added, they are not yet sustainable as all their funding comes from projects and donations which will be exhausted once the projects are over.
“Now our major project is coming up, importing real portable toilets, and once we have that, we don’t think money will be a problem because during national events, emergencies and any events across the country, we will put those toilets,” said the BTO’s Founder. “And from events like trade fair and private organised events, we will charge and make money out of that.”
Today, the organisation has ambassadors in all the dzongkhags to manage sanitation facilities. It also introduced toilet clubs in some colleges under the Royal University of Bhutan.
