UBC has built the world’s first toilet that runs using mushrooms. CTV
Deep inside the University of British Columbia’s Botanical Garden, a new kind of toilet is changing how we handle waste. Called the MycoToilet, it uses mushrooms to turn human waste into nutrient-rich compost. This innovative toilet offers a cleaner, greener alternative to traditional portable toilets that rely on chemicals.
How the MycoToilet Works
The MycoToilet separates liquid and solid waste. Solid waste goes into a special compartment lined with mycelium, the root-like part of mushrooms. The fungi break down the waste naturally. This process dries out the waste and turns it into valuable soil. The best part? The whole process doesn’t need electricity, chemicals, or water.
“The liquid waste runs off, and we capture it where it self-sterilizes and will eventually be used for irrigation,” said Joseph Dahmen, a UBC architecture professor involved in the project.
No More Bad Smells
One of the biggest problems with portable toilets is the smell. But the MycoToilet solves this in a unique way. Scientists found that the mycelium helps reduce bad odours.
Steven Hallam, a UBC microbiology professor, explained, “We actually discovered that the mycelium, when we were working with smaller prototypes in the laboratory environment, actually had a big effect on odour reduction.”
Tests show the mycelium cuts down over 90 per cent of smell-causing compounds.
A Natural Cycle of Life
The MycoToilet is more than just a bathroom. It follows nature’s own cycle of decay and renewal.
Hallam said, “It’s the cycle of life in the forest. And people who experience that come closer to that process.” He hopes the toilet will help visitors to the Botanical Garden connect with nature in a new way.
“It goes beyond science,” he added.
Impressive Output
UBC estimates that one MycoToilet can produce 600 litres of rich soil and 2,000 litres of liquid fertilizer every year. Both of these can support plant growth and help keep soil healthy.
The MycoToilet is currently open to the public for a six-week trial. Researchers are closely watching how well the mycelium breaks down the waste and transforms it.
Looking Ahead
The creators of the MycoToilet hope their invention will soon be used in parks and other places without easy access to plumbing. It offers an eco-friendly option for outdoor toilets and could change how we think about waste and its role in nature.
