UNITED YOUTH – BIODIGESTER AWARENESS CAMPAIGN, Promoting a Cleaner, Greener Future through Biodigester Technology

Group photo after the awareness session with community members

Biodigester technology is clean, sustainable, and affordable—the future of Promoting a Cleaner, Greener Future through Biodigester Technology. Chocolate City Community, Liberia, October 1, 2025

United Youth, in partnership with WaterAid Liberia, hosted a vibrant Open-Air Awareness Campaign in Chocolate City to promote biodigester technology as the standard solution for urban sanitation in Liberia. The campaign empowered residents with practical knowledge, fostered community dialogue, and showcased how biodigesters can transform sanitation in urban communities.

Campaign Goals

The event focused on three key objectives:

·       Empower citizens with knowledge on biodigester technology and its advantages over traditional pit tanks.

·       Promote household adoption of biodigester systems for improved sanitation.

·       Share experiences on installation and management to scale up sustainable sanitation solutions.

Over 65 participants attended, including private sector engineers, WESSEX Technical Working Group members, community leaders, WASH civil society organizations, and enthusiastic residents ready to adopt the new technology.

Biodigester Technology: A Smart Sanitation Solution

Private Sector Presentation

During the campaign’s exhibition and technical presentations, private sector engineers from LADI and Productive Technocrat demonstrated why biodigesters are the future of urban sanitation:

·       Environmentally friendly: Converts waste into biogas and clean water

·       Space-efficient: Requires up to 20× less space than traditional pits

·       Fast & easy installation: Set up in 3 days or less

·       Low maintenance: Costs ≤ US$30 annually

·       Odorless & durable: Lasts up to 30 years with proper care

·       Affordable for households: Pay only US$50–75, with WaterAid covering the remaining US$400

Key Messages from Stakeholders

Local and national leaders delivered powerful messages on the importance of sustainable sanitation:

·       Madam Comfort Zoeduah, Chairlady of Chocolate City, urged residents to embrace biodigesters to reduce air and groundwater pollution and enhance community health.

·       Mr. Patrick Paye (MPW) and Mr. Charles Orca (MCC) reaffirmed government's commitment to standardize biodigester technology, emphasizing WASH as a national priority.

·       Mr. Andy Jensen, Liberia WASH CSOs Coalition, stressed the community’s role in protecting children’s health through better sanitation.

·       Mr. George T. Freeman, General Chairman of Chocolate City, encouraged households to subscribe to biodigester systems to improve environmental and community well-being.

Maintenance tip: Avoid flushing chemicals, plastics, or oils to keep systems functioning effectively.

Community Voices

Residents from other communities shared firsthand experiences:

“Biodigester toilets have brought relief to over 300 people daily in West Point. They are odorless, easy to manage, and environmentally friendly.” Mr. Garfee Swarray, WASH Coordinator, West Point

“Our market is cleaner now; people often can’t believe it’s a toilet because there’s no smell.” Madam Hawa Dorcas Sevelee, Omega Community

Key Outcomes from the Campaign

·       40+ residents expressed interest in adopting biodigesters.

·       Awareness extended through LBC Radio, reaching broader communities.

·       Private sector companies pledged to collaborate with the government and NGOs to scale adoption.

·       Communities began transitioning from traditional toilets to biodigester systems.

 Recommendations for Scaling Up

·       Regulate biodigester pricing to ensure affordability and maintain quality.

·       Replace tiger worm toilets with biodigesters in existing WESSEX project communities.

·       Finalize national standards and guidelines for biodigester technology.

·       Expand implementation to new urban and slum communities across Liberia.

Join the Movement for a Cleaner Liberia

Biodigester technology is clean, sustainable, and affordable, the future of urban sanitation in Liberia.

This project is sponsored by WaterAid/Wessex Urban WASH Governance Program with the objectives:

1. To improve governance through advocacy for standardization and replication of models.

2. To increase knowledge through awareness of and advocacy to support households in adopting biodigester technology.

To learn more or subscribe for installation, contact Productive Technocrat via +775645251 and LADI via +231775342631 or visit United Youth’s blog.

Together, let’s build cleaner communities and a healthier Liberia for all.