The Future Washing Initiative held its 6th seminar, “Future of Washing – from the Perspective of Hygiene and Sanitation,” on 15 February 2022. The seminar was moderated by Dr. Yohei Kaneko, ESG Division, Kao Corporation, and discussed various hygiene and sanitation issues and challenges around the world, including access to safe water, hand washing, and toilets. Over 100 people attended the seminar from different sectors, including business and academia.

Academic Presentations

The seminar started with a presentation by Dr. Fumiko Kasuga, Executive Director of Future Earth Japan Hub. Dr. Kasuga described the purpose and history of the Future of Washing Initiative, and explained that the Initiative has focused on laundry as a discussion theme over the past five seminars. For example, Dr. Kasuga stated that the Initiative has explored sustainable ways of washing by examining various perspectives, including life cycle assessment, water, energy, clothing, textiles, detergents, and containers. She explained that the 6th seminar will explore SDG 6 (Clean water and sanitation) and SDG 3 (Good health and well-being).

Next, Ms. Madoka Otsuka of the Japan Committee for UNICEF gave a presentation about children’s access to water around the world. She pointed out that there are more than 100 million people in the world using untreated surface water, and that in these places, there is no distinction among water for drinking, washing, and bathing. Because of that, children are more exposed to the risks of infectious diseases from the use of unsanitary water. She also explained that when water is not available near their homes, children need to spend time fetching water, which could prevent them from going to school. Thus, UNICEF considers support for water and sanitation as one of their top priority areas, and they offer support to install wells and toilets, while at the same time providing educational support for local communities so that they can maintain those facilities by themselves. Lastly, Ms. Otsuka mentioned that the situation surrounding water and sanitation has improved. In addition, she stated that child mortality (the under-five mortality rate), along with the percentage of people with access to safe drinking water have been improving. However, she also noted the importance of continuous support considering that the number of migrants and refugees who are affected by conflict and climate change is increasing and new issues with water are emerging.

Next, Professor Taro Yamauchi of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, and the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature (RIHN), gave a lecture titled, “Designing Future Sanitation with the Children around the World.” Professor Yamauchi stated that he considers sanitation not only as a technology or toilet facility, but also as a value chain you can see amongst people and local communities. In addition, Professor Yamauchi introduced research projects on sanitation value chains currently being implemented in Indonesia and Zambia. First, he explained that about one-third of the world’s population does not have basic sanitation facilities (toilets) and that 892 million people defecate outdoors on roads, in bushes, and in rivers. He also stated that rather than looking at toilets as a material cycle, he sees them in terms of three values: 1) health and wellbeing; 2) material and economic; and 3) society and culture. By looking at toilets from these points of view, Prof. Yamauchi is working on creating a new value chain for sanitation by collaborating with local people. For example, in an urban slum in Indonesia, he introduced composting toilets in elementary schools, and while using the existing system, he created a resource recycling system by transporting human waste and using it as compost. He also conducted a communication project using toilet paper, videos, and other visualization tools. He also worked with local youth groups and researchers and established a children’s club in urban slums in Zambia. At the club, local children take part in sanitation activities, with the aim of expanding the circle of behavioral change to the community. Lastly, he pointed out that sanitation is a global issue that is not just limited to developed or developing countries, and that it is essential for local people to recognize the importance of sanitation and implement activities by involving the next generation.

Lastly, Mr. Mitsuo Takeuch of Saraya Co., Ltd., gave a lecture titled, “Saraya’s Sanitation Initiatives in Developing Countries (Southeast Asia).” First, Mr. Takeuchi mentioned that Saraya Co., Ltd. started working at a childcare facility run by a Japanese NPO near Yangon in 2014 after learning that there were children suffering from infectious diseases and diarrhea. He explained that there was no paper in the toilets and that the children were at high risk of infection because they were in the habit of washing themselves using buckets of water, and that there was no soap at the hand-washing stations. He also explained that although the children had learned the necessity of hand washing, they did not have the facilities to put it into action. Therefore, he installed soap containers and soap solution at the hand washing stations and worked to make hand washing a habit. He also explained that hand washing classes in various local languages have been continuously given since 2017 by Myanmar staff trained in public health. Furthermore, he mentioned that the hand washing class is using a machine that can measure cleanliness to convey the importance of hand washing.

Panel Discussion

Based on the above three lectures, a panel discussion was facilitated by Mr. Masaki Tsumadori, former VP, R&D at Kao Corporation/ Technical consultant / Invited researcher at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST). In addition to the three speakers, Mr. Yosuke Torii of the Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Tokyo, joined the panel discussion to explore the various roles of washing and laundry for hygiene and sanitation.

How Do We Create Behavior Change?

Based on the three lectures, Mr. Torii asked speakers what difficulties exist in changing behavior in the local community, and what difficulties are encountered in project implementation. Ms. Otsuka pointed out that the situation differs in each region, and that it is not easy to change behaviors, especially in the least developed countries and in rural areas, where there is no concept of water service. She also pointed out the importance of involving local people in health education and organizing sessions offered by local people. She explained that UNICEF offers health education at schools so that the information will be delivered from schools to children, from children to families, and from families to communities. Prof. Yamauchi explained that people who have been practicing outdoor defecation for a long time have their own rationale. He pointed out that it is not easy to change people’s awareness and behavior, noting that people who practice mobile lifestyles, such as hunter-gatherer societies and indigenous peoples, will not get the message to build toilets. He also pointed out that it is important for the local community to consider sanitation as their own business and make it embedded in their culture, religion, and society. He also explained that in urban slums, people sometimes throw excrement outside their homes because of the risk of public toilets being destroyed, as in the case of flying toilets. He pointed out that the negative impacts on the environment and health are not enough to persuade people to change their behavior, and that it is essential to change their culture, habits, and lifestyles. Mr. Takeuchi pointed out the importance of quantification and showing evidence for behavior change. In addition, even if hygiene education is provided, the hardware, such as water and sewage facilities, may not be in place, so it is essential to implement activities suited to each local situation. He also pointed out that it is important for local staff to communicate about sanitation in the local language.

What Are the Challenges for Washing in Developing Countries? What Can be Done to Change the Situation?

Based on these discussions, the panelists discussed what the challenges are to implement hygienic washing practices and explored what can be done to change the situation. Ms. Otsuka noted that people struggling with poverty in countries like Burkina Faso, Togo, and Vietnam have few opportunities to learn about hygiene. On the other hand, she noted that access to cell phones is relatively secure; therefore, UNICEF is using text messages in their projects. She also pointed out that it is important to use various unique ways to deliver information to those who have less access to information such as by working with popular and influential people in every community. She also pointed out that people may not be able to afford necessary health products for hand washing, and that it is necessary to make them accessible and affordable. Prof. Yamauchi noted that there are various approaches to changing behavior, and that IEC (Information, Education, Communication) is important. He also pointed out that knowledge is not always enough to change behavior, and that it is important to form local health clubs and implement community-based activities. He also noted that it is necessary to take a social psychology approach and create a system that leads people to unconsciously change their behavior. Mr. Takeuchi noted that he could not refer to the current situation overseas because he is unable to travel due to COVID-19, but he stated that it is important to implement activities with local production and procurement, because even if supplies came from Japan, the prices are too high to use them.

What Can Each of Us Do?

Recognizing these various challenges in developing countries, the panelists explored what each of us can do to change the situation. Ms. Otsuka stated that COVID-19 showed us how connected the world is and at the same time, it showed us the disparity the world faces, given that only 3% of the population in some countries can be vaccinated. She pointed out that it is important to be aware of the fact that we do not know when each of us will experience disasters, and correct the disparity. Prof. Yamauchi said that he wants the Japanese people to know more about the current situation in developing countries, such as that one-third of the world’s population does not have decent toilets, that 10% of people are forced to defecate outdoors, and that sanitation involves many workers and processes/systems. He also introduced a project that is currently connecting children in Indonesia, Africa, and Japan online to provide an opportunity for children of the same generation to learn about each other. Mr. Takeuchi stated that through his activities in Myanmar, he believes it is important to inform people in Japan about the current situation of the country, including the use of toilets. Mr. Torii pointed out that issues related to water, laundry, and washing are not widely discussed in Japan, and stated that it is important that the international community discuss such issues by utilizing the context of climate change and the SDGs.

How Can Climate Change Affect Hygiene and Sanitation?

Panelists also discussed how climate change can affect hygiene and sanitation, as well as washing and laundry. Mr. Torii pointed out the importance of sustainability in food, clothing, and shelter, which includes washing and laundry. He stated that it is important to realize degraded ecosystem services can particularly damage human life. He explained that ecosystem services exist all around us. For example, pharmaceuticals are developed from organisms living in forests and oceans, and river water and groundwater can get contaminated if fertilizers seep into the ground, which ultimately affects the food production system. He also pointed out that global environmental issues need to be addressed in a comprehensive manner, and the same applies to laundry and washing. He also stressed the importance of involving various stakeholders in discussions to create a system that complements the natural environment.

Mr. Tsumadori reiterated that the purpose of washing and laundry is to protect life, and pointed out that washing clothes are also important for hygiene. He also pointed out the importance of partnerships as mentioned in SDG 17 and stressed that without partnerships, the other goals would not be achieved.

Conclusion

Based on the presentations and the panel discussion, Dr. Kaneko pointed out that the Future of Washing Initiative tends to explore various perspectives of washing from the viewpoint of sustainable consumption and production patterns as explained in SDG 12, but he noted that we need to also think about the future of washing based on the idea of leaving no one behind. Dr. Kasuga noted the importance of partnerships as pointed out by Mr. Tsumadori, and the need to address issues comprehensively as pointed out by Mr. Torii. She concluded these will be important points for the Future of Washing Initiative.

By focusing on hygiene and sanitation, this seminar looked into access to safe water, hand washing, and toilets in developing countries. This led participants to rethink the role of washing and recognize various issues for achieving sustainable washing and laundry. The Initiative will continue to discuss sustainable washing and laundry by exploring various perspectives with diverse stakeholders.