Uncommon Ground – Greening The Toilet

June 4, 2009
Article

Share

The past century of sanitation has been an environmental and financial nightmare for the world.
It is supposedly the 100th anniversary of the modern lavatory, though there is some dispute about when the modern flush toilet as we now know it was invented and by whom. Nevertheless, for the billions around the world who take their daily convenience for granted and for the remaining billions who have no access to modern sanitation, it is a good opportunity to sit and think about the future of human waste, of which millions of tonnes is generated every day.

You may also want to read

September 25, 2025
Article

IDR | The limits of AI in social change

– Gautam John, CEO, Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies More actors—from grantmaking to service delivery—are exploring the use of AI. However, the excitement around scale and efficiency often overshadows a critical question: What does it mean[...]

August 7, 2025
Panel

Purposeful Capital for a Livable Future | AndPurpose Forum, Bengaluru

At the AndPurpose Forum held in Bengaluru in July 2025, Gautam John (CEO, RNP) spoke about how philanthropic capital and collective action can drive systemic change. The panel included Shobha[...]

July 17, 2025
Article

Alliance Magazine | What if we funded justice differently?

Justice has often been philanthropy’s stepchild. In numerous donor forums I’ve attended, we’ve eagerly rallied around education, health, and livelihoods. However—when the conversation turns to justice, ensuring people can access[...]