KOHLER, Wis. – July 8, 2024 – The KOHLER Loope toilet was named a finalist in the Developing World Technology category and received honorable mention in the Water category of the Fast Company 2024 World Changing Ideas award program.

The KOHLER Loope™ container-based toilet is designed to bring safe sanitation to dense urban environments where alternative options are often nonexistent. Developed by Kohler Co.’s in-house product incubator, Innovation for Good®, KOHLER Loope is a completely recyclable and waterless toilet that ensures a quality, comfortable, and affordable experience for the end-user.

With a cost-effective and thoughtful design that can be easily integrated to meet the needs of people living in informal settlements where proper infrastructure is lacking, KOHLER Loope embodies the company’s commitment to providing access to safe and affordable sanitation for all.  To effectively meet community needs and scale implementation globally, Kohler partners with regional waste disposal providers to collect and discard waste on a recurring basis.

The World Health Organization estimates that over 1.5 billion people live without basic sanitation in the form of a private toilet or latrine, increasing their risks of contracting diseases such as cholera and dysentery, as well as reducing human well-being and social and economic development. Currently, 1 billion people live in informal settlements and face unique sanitation challenges that make traditional interventions ineffective and unsafe. Kohler believes that sanitation is a human right and is dedicated to bringing safe sanitation solutions to all people in all communities.

“Through our flagship initiative, Safe Water for All, Kohler has been working to bridge sanitation gaps since 2014, by leveraging the design and engineering expertise, and passion of our associates,” says Laura Kohler, Chief Sustainable Living Officer at Kohler Co. “We have developed solutions for communities experiencing water scarcity, created water-efficient products, and partnered with nonprofit organizations to develop tailored solutions for communities globally.”

The KOHLER Loope toilet also recently won a Gold iF Product Design award, highlighting the company’s significant impact on global design and innovation. Global design award iF jurors noted that “this is a great example of design innovation in the service of humanity.”

Design Concept

Bringing sanitation solutions to communities that lacked infrastructure not only required Kohler’s design and manufacturing expertise, but also understanding real-life perspectives to address specific sanitation issues in these regions and communities. Kohler dedicated three years to developing Loope through direct feedback from residents of informal settlements to inform the product’s design and implementation and ensure that the solution was reflective of the communities the product will serve.

Kohler also partnered with a container-based sanitation service provider in Kenya that brings waste management solutions to informal settlements. After working with the provider to conduct multiple rounds of pilot studies in Kenya and studying use cases from all over the world, Kohler launched the KOHLER Loope container-based toilet with an effective urine diversion system that reduces odor and simplifies waste management.

The product is resistant to chemicals, durable for long-lasting use, and requires no water for flushing. As a completely recyclable toilet at the end of its life, Loope is also designed with the environment in mind.

About Kohler Co.

For more than 150 years, Kohler Co. has been a global leader in bold design and innovation, dedicated to helping people live gracious, healthy, and sustainable lives through its kitchen and bath products; luxury cabinetry, tile, and lighting; wellness products and services; and luxury hospitality experiences and major championship golf. Privately held Kohler Co. was founded in 1873 and is headquartered in Kohler, Wisconsin. The company also develops sustainable living solutions to enhance the quality of life for current and future generations. Its Innovation for Good platform addresses pressing issues, such as clean water and safe sanitation, with breakthrough products and services for underserved communities. David Kohler serves as Chair and CEO and represents the fourth generation of Kohler family leadership.

ABOUT THE WORLD CHANGING IDEAS AWARDS: World Changing Ideas is one of Fast Company’s major annual awards programs and is focused on social good, seeking to elevate finished products and bold concepts that make the world better. Judges choose winners, finalists, and honorable mentions based on feasibility and the potential for impact. With the goals of awarding ingenuity and fostering innovation, Fast Company draws attention to ideas with great potential and helps them expand their reach to inspire more people to work on solving the problems that affect us all.

This year’s program showcased 50 winners, 127 finalists, and 172 honorable mentions—with a panel of Fast Company editors and reporters selecting winners from a pool of more than 1,300 entries across myriad categories including climate, social justice, wellness, politics, technology, and corporate social responsibility.

ABOUT FAST COMPANY

Fast Company is the only media brand fully dedicated to the vital intersection of business, innovation, and design, engaging the most influential leaders, companies, and thinkers on the future of business. Headquartered in New York City, Fast Company is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with our sister publication Inc., and can be found online at www.fastcompany.com.