Piscataway, N.J. ― The SaTo hygienic toilet pan, created by American Standard Brands as a life-saving safe sanitation solution for developing countries, is a winner in R&D Magazine's 52nd annual R&D 100 Awards.
This international competition recognizes the 100 most technologically significant products introduced into the marketplace over the past year, encompassing a wide range of industries including Fortune 500 companies, academia and federally funded research institutions.
The SaTo (derived from “Safe Toilet”) is a cost effective, sanitary toilet pan initially designed for use in Bangladesh, where most people use non-hygienic open pit latrines to defecate. The SaTo pan uses ingeniously simple mechanical and water seals to close off pit latrines from the open air, thereby reducing the transmission of disease through direct and indirect contact with waste. Additionally, the unpleasant sights and smells of the open pit latrine are eliminated for users, encouraging use of the SaTo toilet pan versus unsanitary open defecation.
After the creation of the SaTo pan, American Standard launched the Flush for Good campaign aimed at increasing awareness of the global sanitation crisis and creating innovative sanitation solutions to improve the quality of life in developing countries. This program donates one SaTo pan for every Champion toilet sold in North America during 2013 and 2014.
The company has partnered with organizations including BRAC, Save the Children, Water for People, Plumbers Without Borders, UNICEF and other NGOs to distribute this pioneering SaTo sanitary toilet pan that is easy to use and inexpensive to produce, incorporates local bathroom practices, and effectively reduces the transmission of disease. In 2013 alone, American Standard donated more than 530,000 SaTo sanitary toilet pans to residents of Bangladesh, with further distribution in other developing countries expanding in 2014.
"What an honor it is to be ackowledged with the R&D 100 award for our SaTo toilet pan. We are proud to be in the company of so many esteemed organizations over the 50-year history of this prestigious awards program," said Jay Gould, president and CEO of American Standard Brands. "We are equally as proud that this outstanding design solution created by our engineering team can effectively address the critical global sanitation issue and help save lives around the world."