The Potty Project

Key Takeaway 06 is “ownership and accountability is strongest within limited boundaries.” This implies that there are different rules for cleanliness within and outside the home. Existing community sanitation facilities lie outside the realm of household boundaries, therefore situating community sanitation facilities within users’ boundaries and control leads to their exhibiting the same behaviors they express in their households.

Having a clear identity around who owns the toilet drives responsible use. As long as the identity of ownership is clear and well established - whether it belongs to an individual or to an organization - people seem to comply with rules and treat it with respect. It is the instances in which it does not belong to any identifiable person that the facility suffers neglect.