Waste Management Anyone? Try Composting Toilets
May 26th, 2011 by Glenn Meyers
Composting toilet from Sun-Mar – Excelplant Source: Sun-Mar
For those considering building waste management strategies, it might be time to look at the toilet bowl. A number of composting alternatives are now on the market, and they function without emitting putrid odors.
Swedish-based BioLet has manufactured waterless toilets for 35 years and indicates odor is not a problem, especially in Sweden where waterless toilet systems are required in many places. Here, the average American uses 7,665 gallons of water each year just flushing the toilet.
Just a few years ago mention of a composting toilet brought far more in the way of frowns than applause. That has changed dramatically, writes Sture Andersson, BioLet’s founder. The company has six different models available today; four of these models are currently available in the United States. “Each model is designed for specific needs: part-time use in second homes, full-time use in permanent homes, industrial applications, and even non-electrical units or solar energy units,” says Andersson.
That is certainly true for the number of shopping options that exist today. Try an Internet toilet mall, for instance, called Compost Toilet offering a variety of composting toilets including Sun-mar and Biolet brands. The green toilets use little water and are designed to help the environment while reducing your water bill. Approximate prices run from $999 to $2499 per unit.
Another waterless toilet retailer, Lets go Green, contends that a composting toilet is the most economical, convenient and environmentally friendly way to process toilet wastes when you can’t connect to a sewer or septic system, or in areas of water shortage.”
BioLet’s website states, “These days, waterless toilets – and toilets that use less water – have become very common; in some areas they are even considered a necessity. Waterless urinals can be found at many airports or sport arenas, and people are gradually becoming more educated about wise water usage.”
The principle is very simple. Human waste is transformed into a dry, odorless material that can easily be disposed of, or even recycled back to the earth. The toilet consists of various control mechanisms that guarantee an odor free operation and let’s the proud owner of a BioLet appreciate the benefits of having a fully functional toilet while doing his or her part to protect their nation’s precious water resources.
Here’s to productive flushing.
Keep up to date with all the hottest cleantech news by subscribing to our (free) cleantech newsletter, or keep an eye on sector-specific news by getting our (also free) solar energy newsletter, electric vehicle newsletter, or wind energy newsletter.
About the Author
Glenn Meyers is a writer, producer, and director. Meyers was editor and site director of Green Building Elements, a contributing writer for CleanTechnica, and is founder of Green Streets MediaTrain, a communications connection and eLearning hub. As an independent producer, he's been involved in the development, production and distribution of television and distance learning programs for both the education industry and corporate sector. He also is an avid gardener and loves sustainable innovation.
Related Posts
Tariffs-Smariffs, We Can Already Make the World’s Lowest Cost Solar Modules — Here In The US →
Swedish City Of Södertälje Launching Wireless Hybrid Bus Service In 2016 →
Is Europe Leaving Electric Vehicle Range Anxiety Behind? →
Pingback: Landfill Solutions, Compliments of the Muncher | CleanTechnica