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UBC Launches Mycelium-Powered, Waterless Toilet Pilot at Botanical Garden

Researchers will monitor real-world performance over six weeks to decide on broader deployment.

Overview

  • The MycoToilet opened to the public at the UBC Botanical Garden on September 26 for a six-week pilot with real users.
  • The system uses mycelium to separate and process waste into compost without water, electricity or chemical additives.
  • UBC estimates the fully operational unit could yield about 600 liters of compost and 2,000 liters of liquid fertilizer per year if pilot results support lab findings.
  • Designed as a prefabricated, modular facility, it targets parks and remote sites, requires roughly four maintenance visits annually, and is fully wheelchair accessible.
  • Lab tests cited by the team indicate mycelium liners can remove more than 90% of odor-causing compounds, a key metric researchers are now validating in the field.