The approach of ecological sanitation was originated in Europe. A number of independent eco-san pilot projects have been successfully implemented in China to address the problem of sanitation and health of women and children in rural areas. CEPF applied this approach to ecological protection in the quake area of Sichuan in 2008.

　　In order to prevent diseases caused by human excretions in the quake area and conserve freshwater, the Foundation supported the local people to build urine-diverting ecological toilets for public use and later financed private homes to rebuild eco-toilets. 

　　Ecological sanitation (eco-san) is an approach to sanitation which respects ecological integrity, promotes dignified and health living, and recycles nutrients from human excretions for use in agriculture. This approach is a sustainable, closed-loop system. Ecological sanitation favors the separate collection at the source of urine and faeces so as to use the safe products for agricultural purposes. This approach can be characterized as ‘sanitize-and-recycle’.