Overview

• Installed at the UBC Botanical Garden, the MycoToilet uses mycelium to break down solid waste into compost without added water, electricity, or chemical disinfectants.
• The system separates liquids and solids, sending solids to a mycelium-lined compartment for aerobic decomposition and routing liquids to a holding tank intended for eventual use as fertilizer under suitable conditions.
• Project leads report lab tests showing mycelium liners removed more than 90% of odor-causing compounds, a key focus of on-site monitoring during the pilot.
• Researchers project annual outputs of roughly 600 liters of compost and 2,000 liters of liquid fertilizer once fully operational, subject to confirmation after the pilot.
• The prefabricated, wheelchair-accessible unit is designed for low maintenance with about four visits per year and is supported by UBC sustainability programs and NSERC funding.