Peepoo inventor Professor Anders Wilhelmson receives top honors in Änglamarkspriset 2012

The invention of a safe, dignified, hygienic sanitation solution for the most vulnerable that also has a positive impact on the environment and potential to improve livelihoods wins over Änglamarkspriset 2012 jury and public.

With a focus on recognising individuals who are committed to ideas that create sustainable development of the environment and promote sustainable social entrepreneurship, Anders Wilhelmson is a well-deserved winner of Änglamarkspriset 2012, according to Louise Köning, chairman of the jury and Director of Sustainable Development at Kooperativa Förbundet.

Out of 150 people, 10 Änglamarkspriset 2012 finalists where chosen by a jury consisting of representatives of the Tage Danielsson, Hans Alfredson and Sven Bertil Taube families, staff from COOP and voting from the public on COOP’s website.

The Änglamarkspriset 2012 jury’s motivation included: “To be able to go to the toilet in a safe and secure manner is perhaps natural for many of us, however in many parts of the world this is not the case. More than 2.6 billion people lack access to basic sanitation today. This problem leads to unsafe living conditions, especially for women and children who often fall victim of violence and sexual abuse when they lack access to privacy and have to perform their needs in public. It also creates enormous problems for the environment.

To go to the toilet should be viewed as something positive and not as a limitation and problem, or as a burden to the environment. The invention of the self-sanitising Peepoo toilet has given an increased security to already vulnerable people and also has a significantly positive impact on the environment. The fact that Peepoo becomes fertiliser after use, which is a valuable resource in agriculture and on household level, as well as a business opportunity, is also one of the contributing factors to why its founder Anders Wilhelmson is this year’s Änglamarks prize laureate and scholar.”

"I am deeply moved by the award and glad that the jury recognises the importance of the Peepoo", says Anders Wilhelmson.

For more information contact Martina Nee, martina.nee@peepoople.com, +46 707 22 11 24

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