No one likes to talk about what goes on in the privacy of our bathrooms, but how we discard of our own waste is just as important to this whole green movement we all keep talking about. Turns out, if we could separate number one from number two before it reached the sewage treatment plant we'd be in much better shape.
Treehugger reports that NoMix toilets, which separate liquid from solid waste, allow municipal wastewater plants to produce more methane to generate electricity, and they could more easily extract precious nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen for use as fertilizer (instead of using fossil fuels).
Seven European countries have implemented NoMix pilot projects with great results -- "80% of users liked the idea, 75−85% were satisfied with design, hygiene, smell, and seating comfort of NoMix-toilets, 85% regarded urine-fertilizers as good idea (50% of farmers), and 70% would purchase such food." Not surprisingly, the one thing that really threw people off of the No-Mix train was price, "Only 57% (±29%) are willing-to-pay more for a NoMix- than conventional toilet or purchase NoMix-toilets without subsidies."
What do you guys think? Would you be willing to replace your standard porcelain bowl for one of these?
(Images: EyalNow via Flickr Creative Commons; Treehugger)
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Comments (3)
Have you ever noticed how many of the "green solutions" that are foisted on us every day involve us spending more money on something? "Here's replace your 35-cent light-bulb with this twisty light-bulb. It costs $12, but if you buy fifty of them, it will save you $50 over the course of your life in energy expense!"
And then, 6 months later "Hey, those $12 twisty light-bulbs we sold you are no good. If they break, they can fill your house with deadly toxins. So we need you to replace all your $12 twisty light-bulbs with these $16 plastic-coated twisty light-bulbs. Don't worry about about the 50 $12 light-bulbs. We can properly dispose of those...for a nominal fee, of course."
If they're not careful, the environmental movement is going to relegate themselves to 'snake-oil salesmen' status.
But to answer your questions:
"What do you guys think? Would you be willing to replace your standard porcelain bowl for one of these?"
Hell, no.
My major concern would be... well... not everyone's aim is true. Since I'm the only one in the house who willingly cleans toilets, I look at this and all I can see is potential trouble.
It's an interesting idea, though. And a fairly harmless way to go about trying to change our ideas about dealing with waste.