Composting Toilets (Soilets) in Cambodia
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PROBLEM:
Most Cambodians in rural communities do not have access to a toilet. That means they resort to doing their business out in the open. This of course leaves them vulnerable to diseases which could be prevented...if they only had a toilet. But if the problem was as simple as building a toilet, the problem would have been solved already. Since rural communities lack access to sewer systems, the common solution in the past has been constructing a latrine, which could be anything from a hole in the ground to a toilet with an underground storage tank. These are a step in the right direction, but the only thing more unbearable than their cost is their smell. So that’s the current problem. Let me introduce you to the solution.
SOLUTION:
Soilets.
Soilets are toilets which break down waste with earthworms. They do not need any type of sewer system because all human waste is converted into compost. And the smell? There is none. “Really, no smell” you ask? Yes, really. I can say that with confidence after smelling them myself.
MY STORY:
In 2011, I was a student engineer who led a group of US volunteers to introduce the first Soilets to rural slums in Hyderabad, India. As we worked with a local aid organization in the rural community, we were able to successfully build 7 Soilets. That was back in 2011. Now there are over 250 Soilets in the very same slum! The slum I knew in 2011–which didn’t have a toilet in sight—is now nearly unrecognizable. This community, which was initially a little skeptical of poo-eating worms, is now eager to have even more Soilets. For more on my experience with the Indian Soilet project, watch my TEDx video below.
THE CAMBODIAN SOILET PROJECT:
Me bringing Soilets to Cambodia is long overdue. I learned to speak Cambodian as a missionary for Cambodians in California from 2007 to 2009, but I haven’t used the language much since. That is, until now. I have been spending the last few months preparing for my short trip to Cambodia by networking with aid organizations throughout Cambodia. As I am writing this, I am on a bus from Pursat to Siem Reap. Yesterday, I witnessed Cambodia’s first Soilet in Pursat where we did the finishing touches of construction, which included placing a fresh batch of worms in the Soilet’s underground storage tank. The cover photo for this fundraiser is of me, the new Soilet owners, and the local aid organization that helped make this happen.
Tomorrow I will witness Soilet #2 in Siem Reap (you might know this place as the host city of Angkor Wat). Finally, next week I will finish Soilet #3 in Kampong Cham. Soilet #4 will be right next to #3 and will be completed after I return home to the US.
WHERE YOU COME IN:
I’m providing the materials for 4 Soilets in 3 different cities in Cambodia. These cost only $300 US each, and that’s including a toilet, an underground storage tank (where the worms live), and the brick bathroom structure to be built outside of the owners’ homes.
Your donations will be greatly appreciated and will be used to fund these newly-built and soon-to-be Soilets. You can do an anonymous donation, or...my personal preference would be that in your GoFundMe/Facebook comments you dedicate your donation to a specific item (see cost breakdown below). For example, if you donate $99 you can leave in your comment: “For 2 squatter toilet bowls and 3 truckloads of sand” ($12x2 + $25x3). Obviously if everyone just says toilet bowls I’ll still buy what is needed. I just would like you all to have an idea how far your US dollar goes. So if you only can spare 10 bucks you can comment: “For 2 bags of cement.”
So what will I do with the money if we exceed $1200? What a great problem to have: I will put it into more Soilets!
Also, another way you can help in this cause (especially if your budget is limited right now) is by hitting the Share button above to share this campaign via social media or email.
Thank you, thank you for your support! You are providing something very life changing for these people.
Sincerely,
Sean Sevy
The Sultan of Soilets
and Project Engineer
COST BREAKDOWN (with quantity for 1 Soilet):
Cement mix: $5 x12
Bricks: $0.06 x800
Sand: $25 x 1 truckload
Tile: $5.50 x 3 packages
Pipe (21mm): $0.50 x 2 meters
Pipe (100 mm): $2 x 2 meters
Window opening (struggling how to best translate this into English, it’s a small rectangular open air window frame near the bathroom ceiling): $0.50 x4
Door: $3.50 x1
Sheet metal roof: $3.50 x3
Nails: $2 x 0.5 kg
Grout: $0.50 x1 package
Lumber: $3 x4 2-meter sections
Concrete Cylinder: $9 x4 rings
Circular Tank Lid: $7.50 x1
Toilet Bowl: $12 x1
Earthworms: $2.50 x1 kg
1 Soilet: $300
My TEDx Video on Soilets:

The Soilet Website: https://www.soilet.org/
Most Cambodians in rural communities do not have access to a toilet. That means they resort to doing their business out in the open. This of course leaves them vulnerable to diseases which could be prevented...if they only had a toilet. But if the problem was as simple as building a toilet, the problem would have been solved already. Since rural communities lack access to sewer systems, the common solution in the past has been constructing a latrine, which could be anything from a hole in the ground to a toilet with an underground storage tank. These are a step in the right direction, but the only thing more unbearable than their cost is their smell. So that’s the current problem. Let me introduce you to the solution.
SOLUTION:
Soilets.
Soilets are toilets which break down waste with earthworms. They do not need any type of sewer system because all human waste is converted into compost. And the smell? There is none. “Really, no smell” you ask? Yes, really. I can say that with confidence after smelling them myself.
MY STORY:
In 2011, I was a student engineer who led a group of US volunteers to introduce the first Soilets to rural slums in Hyderabad, India. As we worked with a local aid organization in the rural community, we were able to successfully build 7 Soilets. That was back in 2011. Now there are over 250 Soilets in the very same slum! The slum I knew in 2011–which didn’t have a toilet in sight—is now nearly unrecognizable. This community, which was initially a little skeptical of poo-eating worms, is now eager to have even more Soilets. For more on my experience with the Indian Soilet project, watch my TEDx video below.
THE CAMBODIAN SOILET PROJECT:
Me bringing Soilets to Cambodia is long overdue. I learned to speak Cambodian as a missionary for Cambodians in California from 2007 to 2009, but I haven’t used the language much since. That is, until now. I have been spending the last few months preparing for my short trip to Cambodia by networking with aid organizations throughout Cambodia. As I am writing this, I am on a bus from Pursat to Siem Reap. Yesterday, I witnessed Cambodia’s first Soilet in Pursat where we did the finishing touches of construction, which included placing a fresh batch of worms in the Soilet’s underground storage tank. The cover photo for this fundraiser is of me, the new Soilet owners, and the local aid organization that helped make this happen.
Tomorrow I will witness Soilet #2 in Siem Reap (you might know this place as the host city of Angkor Wat). Finally, next week I will finish Soilet #3 in Kampong Cham. Soilet #4 will be right next to #3 and will be completed after I return home to the US.
WHERE YOU COME IN:
I’m providing the materials for 4 Soilets in 3 different cities in Cambodia. These cost only $300 US each, and that’s including a toilet, an underground storage tank (where the worms live), and the brick bathroom structure to be built outside of the owners’ homes.
Your donations will be greatly appreciated and will be used to fund these newly-built and soon-to-be Soilets. You can do an anonymous donation, or...my personal preference would be that in your GoFundMe/Facebook comments you dedicate your donation to a specific item (see cost breakdown below). For example, if you donate $99 you can leave in your comment: “For 2 squatter toilet bowls and 3 truckloads of sand” ($12x2 + $25x3). Obviously if everyone just says toilet bowls I’ll still buy what is needed. I just would like you all to have an idea how far your US dollar goes. So if you only can spare 10 bucks you can comment: “For 2 bags of cement.”
So what will I do with the money if we exceed $1200? What a great problem to have: I will put it into more Soilets!
Also, another way you can help in this cause (especially if your budget is limited right now) is by hitting the Share button above to share this campaign via social media or email.
Thank you, thank you for your support! You are providing something very life changing for these people.
Sincerely,
Sean Sevy
The Sultan of Soilets
and Project Engineer
COST BREAKDOWN (with quantity for 1 Soilet):
Cement mix: $5 x12
Bricks: $0.06 x800
Sand: $25 x 1 truckload
Tile: $5.50 x 3 packages
Pipe (21mm): $0.50 x 2 meters
Pipe (100 mm): $2 x 2 meters
Window opening (struggling how to best translate this into English, it’s a small rectangular open air window frame near the bathroom ceiling): $0.50 x4
Door: $3.50 x1
Sheet metal roof: $3.50 x3
Nails: $2 x 0.5 kg
Grout: $0.50 x1 package
Lumber: $3 x4 2-meter sections
Concrete Cylinder: $9 x4 rings
Circular Tank Lid: $7.50 x1
Toilet Bowl: $12 x1
Earthworms: $2.50 x1 kg
1 Soilet: $300
My TEDx Video on Soilets:
The Soilet Website: https://www.soilet.org/
Organizer
Sean Sevy
Organizer
Salt Lake City, UT