Overview

• Installed at the UBC Botanical Garden, the prototype opened to real users on Sept. 26 for a six-week evaluation.
• The system separates liquids from solids, routing solids into a mycelium-lined chamber to accelerate aerobic composting.
• Lab tests reported more than 90% removal of odor-causing compounds, aiming to overcome smell issues common to composting toilets.
• If results match projections, the unit could yield about 600 liters of compost and 2,000 liters of liquid fertilizer annually.
• The prefabricated, wheelchair-accessible design targets four service visits per year and is positioned for parks, municipalities and remote communities, with backing from UBC’s SALA–Microbiology team, NSERC and campus sustainability programs.