Where we started
SaniTap takes its name from its first product, the SaniTap handwashing bag. This was Adriaan’s invention. It was in response to the need for washing of hands after using the loo, but no easy way to do it hygienically and economically when the loo is a pit latrine. The bag is still one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce deaths among children under 5.
Our strapline is Bringing Good Ideas to Life. Adriaan Mol and Andrew Tanswell built the company around that idea. The aim is to help people out of poverty, improve health and protect the environment.
What the work grew into
One good idea led to others. Our work develops as we have the opportunity to bring impact at scale. With over 3 decades of experience our work now covers, hand pump and piped water system restoration, improved cooking and the restoration of river systems. Together these have made a measurable difference to the lives of over 670,000 people since the start of 2025. Check out our live impact tracker https://sanitap.org/our-impact/dashboard/
We also built financing to match. We now have full in-house carbon development capability. We needed carbon credits to pay for multi-year work that does not depend on one-off grants. We chose to meet the most exacting standards. Our credits are Gold Standard certified and issued, CORSIA eligibility to follow the host-country authorisation.
What comes next
We have preferred to do the work rather than talk about plans. That has left a gap. Many good stories have gone untold, and so have some of the difficulties.
Over the next few weeks we will fill that gap. Our aim is that each piece will include the achievements, the challenges and the disappointments.
Different readers will want different things. Tell us what matters most to you, and we will aim to make sure it is covered. We have news to share next week, so please come back soon.