# Waste-Converting Toilets The 'Nano Membrane Toilet' Turns Human Waste into Clean Water and Ash By Katherine Pendrill | Published 2016-01-22 | Social Good Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nano-membrane-toilet References: [fastcoexist](http://www.fastcoexist.com/3055513/this-gates-funded-toilet-converts-human-waste-into-clean-water-and-ash?partner=rss) & [nanomembranetoilet.org](http://www.nanomembranetoilet.org/index.php) The 'Nano Membrane Toilet' is a innovative sanitation device that not only provides clean water, but also pathogen-free ash. As sanitation becomes a growing concern in many parts of the world, this toilet could help to solve a myriad of problems. The Nano Membrane Toilet is revolutionary sanitation device funded by the Gates Foundation. The toilet functions as a self-contained system and it requires no additional water to operate. What makes the toilet so unique is the ability to convert human water into clean water and a form of pathogen-free ash. This feat is achieved through the use of scraper that sends waste to the bottom of the collection tank and liquid through a fine membrane. The toilet then extracts only the water molecules and condenses them into hydrophilic beads. The resulting water can be used for everything from washing to drinking. The toilet's unique design means that people would not only be able to meet their sanitation needs without connecting to a city-wide sewage network, but it would also generate clean water for the home. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.1/10 - Popularity: 82% | Activity: 93% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Social Good](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialgood) > [Social Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialbusiness) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Nano Membrane Toilet:** The innovative sanitation device could disrupt traditional toilet systems by providing self-contained and sustainable solutions for sanitation and water needs - **Waste-to-water Technology:** The technology used in the Nano Membrane Toilet could disrupt the water treatment industry by providing an alternative and sustainable solution for wastewater management - **Pathogen-free Ash Generation:** The pathogen-free ash generated by the Nano Membrane Toilet could disrupt the waste management industry by providing a safer and more sustainable alternative to traditional waste disposal methods ### Who This Affects Most - **Sanitation:** The Nano Membrane Toilet could disrupt the sanitation industry by providing self-contained and sustainable solutions that do not rely on traditional sewage systems - **Water Treatment:** The waste-to-water technology used in the Nano Membrane Toilet could disrupt the water treatment industry by providing an alternative and sustainable solution for wastewater management - **Waste Management:** The pathogen-free ash generated by the Nano Membrane Toilet could disrupt the waste management industry by providing a safer and more sustainable alternative to traditional waste disposal methods ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Sustainable Sand-Filled Toilets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sandi-toilet.md) - [Water-Free Telescoping Toilet Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/clesana-x1.md) - [Feature-Packed Smart Toilets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/neolet.md) - [Compact Portable Toilets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/clesana-x1-camping-toilet.md) - [Compact Portable Toilet Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portable-toilets.md) - [Smart Monitoring Toilets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vovo-neo.md) - [Powerful Vortex Toilet Bowls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/twistflush-toilet.md) - [Atmospheric Water Generators](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-atmospheric-water.md) - [Smart Toilet Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-toilets.md)