"The world's first mushroom-powered waterless toilet, called the MycoToilet, was developed by researchers at the University of British Columbia. It uses mycelium—the root network of mushrooms—to break down human waste into nutrient-rich compost without water or chemicals.

"The system is designed for remote communities, parks, and areas without plumbing, turning waste into a valuable soil amendment." (AI Overview)

How it works



• Waste separation: The toilet separates liquid and solid waste.
• Decomposition: Solid waste is directed to a compartment lined with mycelium, where fungi and microbes decompose it into compost.
• Odor control: Mycelium liners absorb odors, with lab tests showing they remove over 90% of odor-causing compounds.
• Liquid processing: Liquid waste is processed separately through a self-sterilization process to make it suitable for irrigation.

Key features

• Waterless and chemical-free: It requires no water or chemicals, making it a sustainable solution.
• Environmentally friendly: The MycoToilet is designed to blend into natural environments, with features like a green roof and timber construction.
• Low maintenance: It is designed for low maintenance, with a predictable operational schedule.
• Versatile: The prefabricated and modular design allows it to be deployed in various locations, such as parks and remote communities.
• Circular economy: It transforms waste into a resource, creating a more circular model for sanitation.

"Now, researchers from the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada have a solution. Meet the MycoToilet: the world’s first mushroom-powered waterless toilet," the Popular Science reports.

"The toilet uses mycelia (fungi’s root network) to convert human waste into compost, is wheelchair-accessible, and requires just four maintenance visits a year. The team believes that the MycoToilet has great potential in parks, remote communities, and developing regions.

"The structure consists of wooden panels equipped with a rot-resistant and antimicrobial cedar exterior, a green roof, and a low-power fan for air circulation. A system separates solid waste from liquid waste, and the solids are directed into a compartment lined with mycelium. Inside, microbes"

"A “beautiful experience” isn’t a term often used for a trip to an outhouse, but researchers at the University of British Columbia say the description fits for their mushroom-powered waterless toilet," the City News Vancouver reports.

"It’s described as the world’s first such toilet, turning human waste into compost using mycelia, the root network of mushrooms. The MycoToilet, inside the small cedar-sided building, has been dropped in among the trees at the university’s Botanical Garden for a six-week test run.

"The toilet separates liquids from solids, with the solid waste going into a mycelium-lined compartment, where lab tests have shown 90 per cent of the odour-causing compounds are absorbed."

"UBC researchers have launched the world’s first mushroom-powered waterless toilet, the MycoToilet, at UBC Botanical Garden. The prototype turns human waste into nutrient-rich compost using mycelia—the root networks of mushrooms—and features a modern, sustainable design that can be dropped into parks, remote communities and areas without plumbing.



"At the back, a system separates liquid from solid waste. Solid waste enters a mycelium-lined compartment, where fungi absorb odours and microbes break it down into compost," The University of British Columbia (UBC) says.

"Researchers will study how microbial communities interact with the mushrooms to optimize aerobic waste breakdown and avoid the odours common in anaerobic composting. Lab tests suggest mycelium liners remove more than 90 per cent of odour-causing compounds."

"The modular toilet requires just four maintenance visits a year and is wheelchair-accessible. “From an operations perspective, this is streamlined by design,” said Prof. Dahmen," The University of British Columbia (UBC) says.



“We’ve taken out the uncertainty that can scare municipalities away from composting toilets and solved it—the schedule is set, the ventilation is integrated, everything works as it should.”

"Unlike conventional chemical toilets, which contain formaldehyde and other chemicals that require treating waste as toxic material, the MycoToilet offers a safe, environmentally friendly alternative that also prioritizes user comfort and hygiene.

"Prefabricated timber panels form the structure, while a cedar exterior is naturally rot-resistant and charred for antimicrobial properties. A green roof supports local plants and wildlife and a low-power fan keeps air circulating."

"UBC researchers launched the world’s first mushroom-powered waterless toilet, the MycoToilet, at the UBC Botanical Garden on September 26. The prototype turns human waste into nutrient-rich compost using mycelia—the root networks of mushrooms—and features a modern, sustainable design that can be dropped into parks, remote communities and areas without plumbing.

"Unlike conventional chemical toilets, which contain formaldehyde and other chemicals that require treating waste as toxic material, the MycoToilet offers a safe, environmentally friendly alternative that also prioritizes user comfort and hygiene.



"The skylit building blends into the forest near UBC’s tree walk. A ramp leads visitors to the entrance, where timber and stainless steel finishes, along with a ventilated cedar structure and odour-absorbing mycelium compartments, replace the typical look and smell of composting toilets," the UBC Faculty of Science Microbiology and Immunology says.

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