Appreciation: UBC launches world’s first mushroom-powered waterless toilet

UBC launches world’s first mushroom-powered waterless toilet​

 

Wow, thanks @Junglekeeper. It's not on my usual garden visit route, but I've set a reminder.

 

I wonder how well such waterless toilets function under irregular usage rate? Bio toilets usually work best if the usage is steady and modest.

 

I had the opposite thought and wondered how well it would work under load such as at a busy bus or train depot.

 

What about human pathogens in the end products? Are they eliminated? If not, the compost and liquids could not be used for edible crops and might even be considered hazardous.

 

What about medications? What happens if someone on a course of antibiotics uses it? Might kill off the whole system...

 

Constant high load should not be a problem, if toilets are dimensioned accordingly (number of cabins etc). AFAIK, the issue with a bio toilets is if the load is irregular. It is kind of like keeping your baking leaven alive over several years. You must not stop feeding it even if you have a longer break in baking.

 

There is a little more background on it on the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/UBCgarden. You probably have to scroll down to the article, which links to this page:
https://livinglabs.ubc.ca/news-events/qa-how-guide-mushroom-toilets-team-made-one