Why this work matters
Communities that rely on on-site sanitation need treatment options that are affordable, resilient and deployable without a sewer network. Centralized infrastructure is often too expensive or too slow to reach households and institutions.
Adapting a proven platform
In 2019, Opero collaborated with Sistema.bio to test and commercialize its modular anaerobic digesters for sanitation applications.
The prefabricated system treats organic waste through anaerobic digestion and captures the resulting biogas for cooking and other practical energy uses.
Core system features
Proven process
Anaerobic digestion provides a well-established biological treatment process in a packaged system.
Durable construction
Linear low-density polyethylene construction supports robust performance and movement between sites.
Complete system
Biogas connections and appliances can be configured alongside the sanitation treatment design.
Applications
Households
Decentralized waste treatment coupled with energy recovery for household use.
Institutions
A scalable option for schools, health facilities and other sites managing regular waste flows.
Treatment facilities
Modular reactors can support community-scale and decentralized wastewater treatment.
Reach of the DungBeetle system
Across partner installations, DungBeetle reactors support decentralized treatment while recovering biogas for everyday use.
- 116+
- Active reactors
- 7
- Countries represented
- 8,360
- People served daily
- 8,190 m³
- Fecal sludge treated yearly
- 13,610
- Meals powered yearly
What the approach offers
- Treats waste while producing useful biogas
- Modular, prefabricated and portable design
- Suitable for household through institutional scale
- Supports decentralized treatment delivery