UBC unveils a toilet using fungal mycelium to compost waste on site, offering a low-maintenance, eco-friendly alternative for places without plumbing.

At UBC’s Botanical Garden, researchers recently launched the MycoToilet — a waterless, mushroom-powered toilet designed to convert human waste into compost and fertilizer.

Instead of relying on chemicals or large infrastructure, the system uses a mycelium-lined compartment: fungi and microbes break down solids, while liquids are collected separately. Lab tests suggest the fungi can neutralize over 90% of odor compounds.

Designed for modular deployment, the MycoToilet features cedar cladding (antimicrobial when charred), a green roof, skylights, a ramp for accessibility, and a ventilation fan. Only four maintenance visits per year are needed.

A six-week pilot is underway, during which researchers will monitor decomposition, odor suppression, and user experience. If the system scales as intended, it could yield ~600 L of compost and ~2,000 L of liquid fertilizer annually.

The implications are strong: for parks, remote communities, or places lacking plumbing, the MycoToilet offers a promising, low-impact sanitation option. But hurdles remain — especially around pathogen safety, robustness under heavy use, and regulatory acceptance.

https://news.ubc.ca/2025/09/ubc-launches-worlds-first-mushroom-powered-waterless-toilet/
https://techxplore.com/news/2025-09-world-mushroom-powered-waterless-toilet.html
https://newatlas.com/environment/mycotoilet-mushroom-composting-toilet/
https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/first-mushroom-powered-waterless-toilet
https://www.enn.com/articles/77173-ubc-launches-world-s-first-mushroom-powered-waterless-toilet

This article was researched and written with the help of AI.